So, This post is on a lighter note (As compared to my last one) but about something that is close to my heart! Television! Ok, Now before you roll your eyes and dismiss me as this
Un-intellectual person, let's try and see my point of view here.
And first disclaimer: Am not referring to the highly inane, regressive, annoying and sometimes even offensive Indian television. Big thanks to internet revolution , broadband and the magical world of Torrents that I got introduced to something called 'Quality Television'. No, its not an oxymoron and yes it does exist in other parts of the world where people are not fixated on just the evil mother in law and her scheming plots
So as I started following the exciting and creative content that American Television industry produces, I became more and more interested and engaged in it. What appeals to me the most is their ability to develop amazingly complex and unique premises and execute them in an intelligent way that keeps the viewers engaged and guessing for at least 2-3 years (On an average, A hit series runs for multiple seasons spanning over a period of 2-3 years). It's no mean task to hold the attention span of restless viewer who is mostly critical and always wanting to switch channels.
Some of my most favourite epic series which re-defined television or rather story telling via visual medium for me are Breaking Bad, Lost, West Wing, Sherlock(BBC), Fraiser, The Wire, Modern family- Just to name a few. The writing in these serials is phenomenal, meaningful and superior and the production quality is par excellence making it completely worth your time. Moreover, they have charmed and drawn viewers from almost all sections of the societies across the entire WORLD!
Other than the delight of enjoying refreshingly different, intriguing and smart television experience, I have also had learnings from this seemingly "dull" habit. Now the the first reaction would be "How can u learn anything from watching TV ?? !"
Don't blame you! We have been told since childhood that watching TV is useless and books are the ONLY source of any learning.
However, since I have never been much of a book lover (Find it hard to survive an entire book) I can say I filled in the gaps with television instead and it worked out quite well for me and how? Here are 3 big things that my TV viewing habit has taught me :
1) Window to the world - Understanding and appreciating different cultures. For example; the fact that women in more than half of the world don't have to worry about wearing a skirt on the street was re-assuring for me - It gave me a peek into how people live in other parts of the globe.
2) Perspectives - That every coin has two sides, that every issue can have multiple viewpoints and approaches- Neither one is better or worse than the other - its all subjective and more importantly relative.
3) Tolerance - Well written character/s(Like Walter White from BB) can really make you think about human emotions, relationships and build your tolerance levels with your own family and friends. Make you less judgemental may be!
So next time you take the moral high-ground and chide someone for watching Television and "wasting" time, Think again! Its not always just entertainment only and neither am I suggesting that it replaces reading or books - Am just saying for me, it had more merit than you think! Afterall, learning can come in different ways.
Cheers
Sush
Un-intellectual person, let's try and see my point of view here.
And first disclaimer: Am not referring to the highly inane, regressive, annoying and sometimes even offensive Indian television. Big thanks to internet revolution , broadband and the magical world of Torrents that I got introduced to something called 'Quality Television'. No, its not an oxymoron and yes it does exist in other parts of the world where people are not fixated on just the evil mother in law and her scheming plots
So as I started following the exciting and creative content that American Television industry produces, I became more and more interested and engaged in it. What appeals to me the most is their ability to develop amazingly complex and unique premises and execute them in an intelligent way that keeps the viewers engaged and guessing for at least 2-3 years (On an average, A hit series runs for multiple seasons spanning over a period of 2-3 years). It's no mean task to hold the attention span of restless viewer who is mostly critical and always wanting to switch channels.
Some of my most favourite epic series which re-defined television or rather story telling via visual medium for me are Breaking Bad, Lost, West Wing, Sherlock(BBC), Fraiser, The Wire, Modern family- Just to name a few. The writing in these serials is phenomenal, meaningful and superior and the production quality is par excellence making it completely worth your time. Moreover, they have charmed and drawn viewers from almost all sections of the societies across the entire WORLD!
Other than the delight of enjoying refreshingly different, intriguing and smart television experience, I have also had learnings from this seemingly "dull" habit. Now the the first reaction would be "How can u learn anything from watching TV ?? !"
Don't blame you! We have been told since childhood that watching TV is useless and books are the ONLY source of any learning.
However, since I have never been much of a book lover (Find it hard to survive an entire book) I can say I filled in the gaps with television instead and it worked out quite well for me and how? Here are 3 big things that my TV viewing habit has taught me :
1) Window to the world - Understanding and appreciating different cultures. For example; the fact that women in more than half of the world don't have to worry about wearing a skirt on the street was re-assuring for me - It gave me a peek into how people live in other parts of the globe.
2) Perspectives - That every coin has two sides, that every issue can have multiple viewpoints and approaches- Neither one is better or worse than the other - its all subjective and more importantly relative.
3) Tolerance - Well written character/s(Like Walter White from BB) can really make you think about human emotions, relationships and build your tolerance levels with your own family and friends. Make you less judgemental may be!
So next time you take the moral high-ground and chide someone for watching Television and "wasting" time, Think again! Its not always just entertainment only and neither am I suggesting that it replaces reading or books - Am just saying for me, it had more merit than you think! Afterall, learning can come in different ways.
Cheers
Sush
As long as mind becomes broader and more accepting, any medium is good. Well said Sush!
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