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Question to the author:
At one point in the "The F.O.G.", television signals are jammed around the globe
turning off every set on the planet. Why do you feel television is such a bad thing?
John Miller, Reading PA

Mr. Merrett's response:

Recently I read a quote by actor Martin Mull that read, “America’s greatest natural resource is morons.” Then I remembered an appearance by film maker Michael Moore on British television where he referred to Americans as “the dumbest people on the planet”. (Mr. Moore is an American so that might give you some indication of where he ranks on the intelligence scale.) I thought about their comments for a brief moment and I refuse to agree with their harsh assessments. Granted, when you research the continually high television ratings for such programming as the Jerry Springer show, World-Wide Wrestling, Howard Stern and Flavor Flav just to name a few, it is hard to argue with such inflammatory remarks. High school drop out rates are at epidemic levels in this country as we sit helplessly watching an entire generation chasing a spot on “American Idol”. American kids have been academically out-performed by their counterparts in other industrialized countries for decades. Obesity in the United States is at an all time high leading to frightening increases in such diseases as diabetes. While we are repeatedly reminded that we live in the age of technology with unprecedented access to information, why does it seem as though we are collectively not all that much smarter relatively speaking than previous generations of Americans? But I remain the eternal optimist and refuse to give up hope.
All of the above can be traced to one culprit. Americans, and their children, are addicted to television. That ubiquitous little box that tells us what to watch, when to watch, what to do, where to go, what to buy and most frightening of all, what to think. The side effects of being addicted to television viewing are much more far reaching than obesity. More Americans are taking anti-depressants than ever before. One in every ten women is on some form of anti-depressant. The networks have traditionally maintained an approach to delivering the news which, as most of you have probably noticed is as follows; “If it bleeds, it leads.” Serial killers trump do-gooders every time in today’s newsrooms. Constant exposure to depressing images is bound to make the staunchest of optimists break down over time. Want to feel less depressed? Don’t watch the news. If something is happening that is really important in the world, it will come to you in the form of a newspaper, business associate, etc. And take another tip from yours truly. On those very rare occasions when I do sit down to catch some PBS, Discovery Channel, etc., I mute commercials. I refuse to be held hostage by advertisers who feverishly endeavor to influence the masses. As a great man once said, “Be of your own mind, think of your own mind, act of your own mind.” Above all, do not allow yourself to be exploited by anyone. Don’t accept everything the little electronic box tells you as gospel. That puts far too much power into the hands of the network moguls. Being well-informed is not necessarily the same thing as being well-educated. When you see something that is controversial, ask questions. Do your homework and research the issue. Here are some resources that may help. Be good to your brain and limit your time in front of the boob tube. It is an unhealthy addiction and Americans would benefit greatly from weaning themselves away from a device that has done little to advance the standing of our species. The television set could be used as the greatest educational tool ever created but instead we have turned it into a babbling idiot box. Of this, I am certain. –Michael Merrett

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