Demerits of television

Answer 1

With the easy availability of goods and increased consumerism, television has become a focal point in homes.

The impact of audio-visual media is tremendous.

The diversity of programmes available compels young viewers to have just sit and surf channels and find a suitable one. It requires little effort to watch pictures and listen without having to think deeply.

The television being a source of pastime and entertainment has become a bane rather than a boon, as used to be.

Nowadays, the television has not just remained a source for entertainment and knowledge but has crossed the barriers and moved towards the negative aspect of society, which is distracting children from not only studies, but even supplementary reading.

In earlier days, when there was no television or radio, children used to spend their time in physical games and activities like playing cricket, marbles, etc.

But with the advent of the 'TV' children have stopped moving out of their

house and remain glued to the television.

Therefore the trend of reading books of Sherlock Holmes or fairy tales have been replaced by movies of the same.

The after effects of continuous viewing of television are the cause of myopia and even detainment of a person from his social circles, hampering the progress of a person and a country as a whole.

At last we can conclude that, while which television provides information and entertainment, it cannot be a substitute to real experience.

Watching television may be easy and exciting but can seldom match the experience of reading the original.

Watching a cricket match is not the same as playing the game itself.

Answer 2

Bad effects of television is the influence on young people. For example, there are many shows that show how to get away with crimes. Another influence that comes from television is how criminals are publicized.

Answer 3

Excessive television watching can lead to an inactive life and lack of exercise. It is not stimulating to the brain and can lead to an unhealthy lifestyle. Watching too much television can lead to disturbed sleep patterns.

Answer 4

One of the inventions that technology has "bestowed" upon humankind is that tiny but most effective contraption called television. It is really amazing as well as disconcerting for one to reflect how powerful this modern device can be. As soon as the members of a family content themselves with it, ensconced in their armchairs, watching innumerable programmes, a kind of interminable reticence tends to prevail, which is, on the whole, pernicious. It may be the case that on certain occasions people watching television do engage in a sort of "transcendental voyage," acquainting themselves with foreign cultures, rituals and habits, thus divesting themselves of the seemingly unbearable burden that daily routine seems to impose on them without pity; yet it is their being rendered indifferent, almost impervious, to their own culture, even oblivious to the true meaning of life, that constitutes an insurmountable predicament. Nobody should relinquish the right to be entertained and educated; it is people's overindulgence in eliciting these elements from television alone that should be minimized. Most people sharing this conviction may be taxed with being conservative and averse to all that technology has furnished, but such an accusation on the objectors' part would be an oversimplification, tantamount to acquiescence in, as well as condonation of, this ignominious condition. Therefore, it is of utmost importance that people's attention should be drawn to the merits as well as demerits of television. One really sees that, much as this infatuation, namely television, is always inveighed against by many a distinguished person as well as layman, it can yield a great deal of benefit, when properly used. Seated in front of the television screen, the individual can have the whole world into her/ his home; at the press of a button, he gains immediate access to worldwide events-anything from a turtle's rescue to the detention of a modern Jack the Ripper! Who would have thought that, through this medium, the viewer would be able to acquire knowledge and witness the development of political processes, thereby keeping abreast of current affairs? It goes without saying that television has carved a niche for itself in mass entertainment, inasmuch as it provides a variety of inexpensive show programmes catering for all predilections and, most importantly, in the privacy of one's home. What is more, the powerful visual image, which engages the senses and is capable of insinuating itself into human mind, enables humour to be portrayed more effectively. Moreover, television enhances people's overall knowledge of various topics by dint of visual representation of educational material. The individual is allured by the spectacular visual image and is unwittingly rendered conversant with constructive ideas that may, in the long run, stand her/ him in good stead. Obviously, one does not have to be literate to grasp what is transpiring; innate perspicacity is enhanced by innumerable messages emanating from a wide assortment of broadcasts. This "versatile" and multifarious device can inescapably be thought of as the most influential mass medium, as it is capable of having public figures under people's scrutiny and vigilant eye. This property-that is, everyone's inalienable right to observe, and have a say in, current affairs, drawing the line at any inconsistencies or shortcomings on politicians' part-has been preserved by democracy, and to this it should point. By virtue of its position in society, television has the right as well as the duty to play a vital role in a democratic country; in other words, it is incumbent on it to employ the necessary moral methods in order to promote social welfare. No doubt, the onus is on television to enrich and broaden the-pliable, indeed-mind of young people, inculcating sound values and ideals. When television is an impartial and dispassionate observer, it can present facts unaltered, so that people can make up their own minds as to the endorsement or deprecation of a particular belief or course of action, or the severe castigation or mild refutation of a certain policy or strategy. Presented with a variety of ideas, the individual becomes more objective and open to all views, which strengthens democracy. As was hinted at above, television has the tremendous knack of bringing foreign cultures and ancient civilisations into a modern home, thus helping one to draw constructive comparisons between nations. Deluged with interminable streams of knowledge and experience, the viewer's taboos are dissipated, as he / she overcomes prejudices and comports her / himself with dignity. Barriers between nations break down and the path is being paved for the promotion of peace. All prejudices and superstitions extirpated, anti-social values and behaviour can be combated. But is this potential put to good use? How is it that television has insidiously been transformed into a dreadful, almost depraving medium? One could say that this transformation is reminiscent of Franz Kafka's astounding novella, "The Metamorphosis." Treating oneself to watching telly nowadays can have a deleterious impact on the intellect, thereby inducing mental faculties to become vitiated. Most of the entertainment is passive, the individual assimilating things without questioning them. What is the bottom line? Mental laziness verging on stupor. What gives rise to this contention is the incontestable fact that a considerable number of programmes demand absolute silence, restricting, even curtailing, family communication. As a result, the individual is denied the right to communicate with his / her parents, which leads to false assumptions-ancillary to prejudice and crime. With regard to language, it falls into desuetude-and we all know what this entails. What is most frustrating is the incredibly poor standard of most programmes, which is inextricably related to the infliction wreaked on language. Whether we ascribe this to lack of money, which can result in poor and unsuccessful productions, or to television catering for the mass market, there still remains a fact that the features looming large in most programmes are violence and promiscuity. Violence is treated as an acceptable and commendable act in times of dispute. All these repugnant scenes of violence desensitize people to crimes and corruption and enjoin them to endorse this kind of behaviour as a reasonable modus vivendi. Under the lash of prejudice and depravity, in an era where mental torpor and lassitude reign supreme, people cannot appreciate, let alone engage in, their culture, which can be swamped and thwarted by foreign programmes. Besides, this powerful medium has always, to a greater or lesser extent, been abused and manipulated by governments in order to deceive the populace-the benightedpopulace. Any sort of information can, at any time, be withheld with a view to promoting certain principles and stifling public debate. One cannot help wondering whether the concomitants of distortion and totalitarianism are really examples of democracy. Having expatiated upon the merits and demerits of television, we could draw some conclusions. When abused, it can end up being a scourge. Much as it enriches knowledge and broadens the mind, it grossly dictates public taste. It may be a form of escapism from the intractable world of utilitarianism, yet it ushers the mass into another world, which numbs the mind and extols money. Regrettable though it may be, television helps form a false picture of reality, urging people to be covetous of a way of life beyond their exiguous means. By way of conclusion, we should stress that everyone is responsible for this depravity inflicted upon television. Let us reconsider our beliefs and "take up the cudgels" for a dignified, spiritually and intellectually better world. If viewers draw the line at violence and promiscuity, at unscrupulous politicians, at any inconsistency […], then they pave the way for an integrated self and society. To this end, education-anthropocentric education-can promulgate new norms and values. Only then will television merit to be regarded as a truly educational and political means.

Answer 5

There are several negative aspects to mass media. Namely, mass media is generally very shallow and spins events in a very negative way.