TV or not TV?
Television has become an everyday part of our lives. It’s omnipresent, always on…
– But is this a good thing or a bad one?
– Don’t we spend too much of our precious
time in front of the “box”?
– Haven’t we become lazier because of it?
– Is TV dangerous?
Here’s what different people say about television.
Who do you agree with?
1A) Some people say that television is dangerous. I don’t think so. After all, it keeps you informed about what’s happening in the world. You can also see films and plays, and be entertained…or you can watch documentaries and learn something new.
1B) Television is a terrible waste of time. I know a lot of people who just sit down in front of the “box” and watch whatever’s on. They spend hours watching silly soap operas and second-rate American films when perhaps they ought to be doing something else.
2A) In spite of all its defects, television can teach us a lot of things. The trick is to learn to control it and use it intelligently. The ideal is to turn on the TV only when there is a program which is really amusing and interesting.
2B) In my opinion, television makes us lazier. We stay at home instead of going out. We read less. We think less. We even talk less. It cuts us off from reality. But isn’t real life better than this passive enjoyment?
3A) A lot of rubbish has been written about television. I think it’s a wonderful invention. It’s a cheap form of entertainment, which gives pleasure to millions of people, especially those who live alone. It’s also a wonderful way of escaping from our dull reality.
3B) There’s too much violence on TV. We begin to believe that the world is an unfriendly place, filled with cruel people and risky circumstances. The violent, crime-filled world shown on TV may turn people into criminals.
4A) TV’s just part of life really. It involves us in strong emotions: love, hate, passion. Even the silliest of “soaps” help me to solve my own problems by showing me what might happen if I do certain things. Sometimes they show me what not to do.
4B) Television is like a drug: we get addicted to certain TV series and simply can’t switch it off. Most programs are filled with silly commercials. What I hate most about TV is that it often uses strong language. It has a terrible influence on children and young people.
(*From: “Speak out” (magazine)
Answer the following questions.
1. How many hours do you spend in front of the TV?
2. Do you believe that violence on TV may turn people into criminals?
3. In what way does TV influence our language?
4. Some people say that television kills conversation. Do you agree?
5. Do you know how to protect yourself from the bad influences of television?
Mass Media 