What is Digg?182 Comments
- phbohn2, on 07/28/2008, -9/+9141. being able to brag about not watching tv for a week and the ability to seem better than everyone else.
- ieee, on 07/29/2008, -0/+58"40 Positive Effects of a TV Free Week"
Old school. We need instead
"40 Positive Effects of a Web Surfing Free Week" - inactive, on 07/28/2008, -8/+4842. Not being brainwashed by the media.
43. Not being subjected to another publicity stunt by Britney Spears. - JesusTeaseUs, on 07/28/2008, -1/+3345. Had to come up with original one-liners and jokes instead of rehashing sitcom scripts
- JonathanMead, on 07/29/2008, -5/+3346. Regaining ownership of your mind/freewill.
- HossStyle, on 07/29/2008, -3/+30Here's the article if the site stays down:
“What could you accomplish if you stopped watching TV? What would you do with all the extra time?” My wife asked me these questions two weeks ago. After a short discussion, we decided to find out for ourselves. We completely eliminated television viewing from our lives last week. It ended up being an incredibly rewarding experience. We already have a plan to reduce our future viewing habits.
Here are 40 positive effects from our week without television.
1. Wrote 6 blog posts. – I usually only have time for 2 articles a week.
2. Made it to the gym 5 times. – I went Monday through Friday for about 45 minutes, hitting every major muscle group.
3. Increased household communication. – TV kills the flow of household communication. We both noticed that we had a lot more time to talk.
4. Read a novel cover to cover. – I read the short novel “Siddhartha” by Herman Hesse. It’s a powerful story about the importance of life experiences as they relate to approaching an understanding of reality and attaining enlightenment. I highly recommend it.
5. Caught up on current events twice as fast. – I typically waste a good hour everyday watching CNN. This week I grabbed my news off the web. It took me significantly less time to scan CNN.com.
6. Enhanced focus on everything. – TV is a huge distraction, even when you hear it from the other room. It’s so much easier to concentrate when you don’t have a TV yapping at you. I had no idea how much if affected my ability to concentrate until it was gone.
7. Learned a few new skills. – I took my own advice and learned how to change the oil in my truck… pretty darn easy.
8. Spent more time with friends and family. – We invited Angel’s sister and some friends over for a mid-week dinner party.
9. Cleaned the house. – Something Angel and I habitually evade by watching TV.
10. Learned new recipes and prepared 5 home cooked meals. – We cooked large portions so we could have leftovers for lunch every day.
11. Spent more time enjoying simple pleasures. – Deep conversations, long walks, telling jokes, etc.
12. Finally trimmed the hedges in our yard. – I always put this off because I am tired after mowing the lawn. This time, however, I did it on a totally separate evening. It only took me 30 minutes.
13. Cleaned out the garage and sold 2 old dehumidifiers on eBay. – We setup a 5-day eBay auction and got $65 for each one of them!
14. Took 2 evening strolls around a local park. – We hadn’t been to this park in years… there’s only 1 reason why.
15. Saved money on our electric bill. – Our power company’s website allows you to check your daily usage. Sure enough, less TV equals less electricity usage.
16. Burned more calories. – We were off the couch moving around.
17. Backed-up critical files on both of our laptops. – Transferred them all over to our Iomega 500 GB external drive.
18. I played my guitar. – …for the first time in a year. I’m hooked again!
19. Found 2 news bands I like. – I used online music comparison sites to find 2 awesome bands with similar music styles to my favorite band, Counting Crows.
20. Listened to more music. – In addition to finding new bands, I had more time to listen to my favorite music.
21. We stargazed in our backyard. – …for the first time since Angel and I first started dating. It was blissful.
22. Caught up on times with an old friend. – I hadn’t spoken to my buddy Jon since my wedding a year and a half ago. We had a pleasant 30 minute conversation on the phone.
23. Handled basic household maintenance. – Replaced the AC filter, applied pest control spay, replaced fire alarm batteries, etc.
24. Took Angel out on a romantic date. – I took her to one of our favorite Italian restaurants and then out to a local pub where we slow danced to a live music.
25. Finished up a little DIY project. – I’ve been stalling on staining, sanding and hanging a certain wooden shelf for nearly 6 months.
26. Updated the photo frames throughout the house – Sometimes it’s nice to mix things up. We spent some time sorting through our digital photos and replaced a few photos in various photo frames throughout the house.
27. Played racquetball. – Great 2-person sport!
28. Organized my monthly planner. – Entered all my known commitments into my planner and did a little time planning each night.
29. Reviewed our long-term goals. – Angel and I had an open discussion last Tuesday night about our goals for the next 3 – 5 years.
30. Setup automatic payment options on our utility bills. – Now our electricity, phone, insurance and cable bills are automatically withdrawn from our account each month. This basically buys me 30 additional minutes of free time every month.
31. Updated my resume. – It only took me 45 minutes.
32. Quiet relaxation. – Instead of clicking on the TV, I spent some quiet time gathering my thoughts each day when I returned home from work.
33. Had intelligent conversations at suppertime. – Quite frequently we eat supper in front of the TV. Since there was no TV watching this week, Angel and I had some really interesting conversations instead.
34. Hit it off with our new neighbors. – We spent more time outside and ended up running into our new neighbors. They seem like pretty cool people. There’s certainly the potential for friendship here.
35. Exchanged back massages. – It sure beats canned laughter.
36. There was more time for “quality time”. – You know… just me and her and some classical music in the background.
37. More real life experiences. – Because we were off of the couch, actually doing something.
38. Watched 1 quality movie. – Instead of watching whatever was on, we went to Blockbuster and selected 1 quality movie to rent.
39. Ironed my clothes each weeknight before bedtime. – …since I had more free time in the evenings. It made my mornings less stressful.
40. We got more done. – Because we had so much more time to do it all.
I strongly recommend a week without television to everyone. You’ll be amazed.... - CatherineSouth, on 07/28/2008, -0/+2544. Noted a distinct lack of arguments about the location/ownership of the remote control.
- AlbinoRaven, on 07/29/2008, -2/+26Other than xbox360 or PS3, the tv really doesn't have any purpose except to tell me about new toothpaste for my cat.
- sculptedguns, on 07/29/2008, -0/+2153. Got to bang Angel while her husband was busy changing his oil.
- fwdkfwdkfwdk, on 07/29/2008, -2/+2148. Gave me more time to watch TV and read about current celebrity news on my computer.
- inactive, on 07/29/2008, -1/+19187. Smoke more weed and drink more beer.
- takameyer, on 07/29/2008, -0/+1852. Gave me time to download television episodes off the internet
- meruru, on 07/29/2008, -0/+15Yes Digg and the rest of the "interweb" is a bastion of intellectualism
- KidTechno, on 07/29/2008, -0/+1452. DVR'd everything anyway.
- koreth, on 07/29/2008, -0/+11Sweet hairy Jesus, that guy must have watched a lot of TV before. Hasn't he ever heard of moderation? It won't kill you or prevent you from living a fulfilling life to watch a few hours a week. That guy must have been watching four or five hours a DAY if he freed up enough time to do all that stuff.
- nobodyfresh, on 07/29/2008, -0/+10Damn, how much time does this guy normally spend watching TV?
- kineticarl, on 07/29/2008, -0/+10For real. I haven't lived around a tv for 11 years, and the internet has easily filled that void.
- FishHammer, on 07/29/2008, -6/+15I never even watch TV anymore, and if I do it's online. TV is being replaced.
- N0rthsideDonutz, on 07/29/2008, -0/+9I haven't had cable in almost a year. i don't know what's on MTV, and I'm happy as hell about that.
- tunafizzle, on 07/29/2008, -1/+10I really "hated" your post!
- hutchy, on 07/29/2008, -0/+8"38. Watched 1 quality movie. – Instead of watching whatever was on, we went to Blockbuster and selected 1 quality movie to rent."
So it wasn't a TV Free Week then? - TygerTyger, on 07/29/2008, -1/+9...well it would allow me more time to nurse my internet addiction while looking down my nose at everyone else, so I guess there's that.
- inactive, on 07/29/2008, -5/+13Dugg for demonizing television.
- wellyuk, on 07/29/2008, -1/+8So?
- Mpwns, on 07/29/2008, -0/+6i went with out TV and Internet for a little over a year, by choice. a year and in about a year i was about 160 pounds lighter. I'm back to where i was in Jr high. back on line but still free of the TV. its a good diet plan since i didn't have a car then as well.so i was walking all the time since there was nothing to do in my house but sit around and stare at the wall. it was hard letting go but worth it. just kinda sucks now since all my gossip has to do with real issues, since I'm so out of the pop culture loop,
- GoatBn, on 07/29/2008, -4/+10You still watch TV? I forgot about that thing!
- freedomhater, on 07/29/2008, -2/+8Jesus... TV must rule this dudes life.
7. Learned a few new skills. – I took my own advice and learned how to change the oil in my truck… pretty darn easy.
Something has to be said when the boob tube prohibits you from common "skills" like draining oil from your vehicle. - tellahoohooo, on 07/29/2008, -0/+641. Masterbated using my own imagination
- kineticarl, on 07/29/2008, -0/+5It would have taken me a week just to write that list.
- inactive, on 07/29/2008, -2/+7You must be one weak minded blathering mother ***** if TV controls you so much. It might be best for the world if you dont reproduce, we need to let whatever the ***** is broken with you die off.
- eggsovereasy, on 07/29/2008, -0/+5I would go broke buying books.
- inactive, on 07/29/2008, -0/+5I went for a few years on purpose without watching TV when I lived in an apartment. The strange thing about it is, and I'm not kidding... after a couple days, you don't even miss it or think about it. Now going without nicotine? That's impressive... and that... you feel every minute it's not there.
- DjOverEZ, on 07/29/2008, -1/+6"43. Not being subjected to another publicity stunt by Britney Spears."
Right, because the internet didn't carry that story at all. - Zetsubou, on 07/29/2008, -0/+551. Had more sex. This is the first time in over ten years! ...only one reason why.
- B08ama, on 07/29/2008, -1/+6I haven't watched TV in years, but am pressed for time as ***** (if ***** were pressed for time).
- zacharytelschow, on 07/29/2008, -1/+6That site is a ridiculous load of bull. A "stuffblackpeoplelike" website would be racist and never fly, but these broadly painted stereotypes that apply to a fraction of the white population are somehow funny?
- trer, on 07/29/2008, -8/+1341. Grand Theft Auto 4
42. Metal Gear Solid 4
43. Assassin's Creed
44. The Elder Scrolls Oblivion
45. Uncharted
46. Twilight Princess
47. Blue Dragon
48. Final Fantasy 12
Yes I accomplished alot during a TV Free week. - arunforce, on 07/29/2008, -0/+5House, 24, Lost, and Heroes.
Only 4 shows I watch, and luckily for me, they are all off season. - adidar832, on 07/29/2008, -2/+7http://stuffwhitepeoplelike.com/2008/01/26/28-not- ...
- Doobie88, on 07/29/2008, -0/+452. Ample time to find a better ISP.
- jehan60188, on 07/29/2008, -1/+5I havent had a cable/satelite subscription for 2 or 3 years, and no rabbit ears, either.
My tv is a computer monitor, and dvd player (also via the computer) more than anything. That's not to say the internet doesn't have as much potential to waste time as tv... - schuder, on 07/29/2008, -0/+4I went a few months in a similar scenario. I moved to a place I hated and I knew I was moving again and didn't want to buy a new TV as I planned on bringing my old one from home down, and to a degree you don't miss it.
But on the other hand when you want to watch the NBA Finals and such, you gotta go out to a bar and rack up a big tab or someone's house like a mooch (my friends aren't really into basketball) so it's weird to ask to go over only to watch something I want. - br1antt, on 07/29/2008, -1/+5100. Be on Digg for an extra 4 hours. Phailz
- bbqsalad, on 07/29/2008, -1/+5I am really suprised people still are willing to PAY for cable TV. Its nothing but ***** shows and ads. I have not had cable for 5-6 years now and have not missed it a bit.
- addicted68098, on 07/29/2008, -1/+552.? http://64.233.167.104/search?hs=sUq&hl=en&lr=&c2co ...
- jeremyduffy, on 07/29/2008, -0/+4Seriously, TV? Why spend all the money? Get the shows you want on DVD after a while or bug your friends to DVR them for you. Not only is it better to be able to watch an entire season at once (no cliffhangers), but there are no commercials. Even if you can't wait, you can go online to watch many shows on demand for free.
I haven't paid for TV since... well... ever. - inactive, on 07/29/2008, -0/+4he can't hear - he's too busy congratulating himself
- WhiskeyLemur, on 06/30/2009, -0/+4I haven't really watched TV in years - now I just waste my life gaming and killing time on the internet. A distinct improvement, no doubt.
- jehan60188, on 07/29/2008, -0/+4yah, what's next, he learns how to change a tire?
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