Televisions Future and the Human Society - Article Example

TELEVISION'S FUTURE: Based on James Robinson's Idea On the Future of Television Introduction The television is one of today's major sources of entertainment. It could not be denied that this particular innovation of technology attracts numerous audiences that share a certain agreement that television is indeed a primary source of relaxation to the weary minds of many people in the society. In fact, "According to the International Herald Tribune, over a billion TV sets cover the globe, 50'percent more than there were five years ago. In Japanese homes, TV sets outnumber flush toilets. Only about half of Mexican homes have a telephone, but just about every household has a TV. And many Americans have 25 or 30 channels to choose from. States the Tribune: "The cultural, political and economic effects of this global television revolution are enormous. .'.'. Some worry that all that TV watching will make the rest of the world lose its appetite for reading, as has already happened to two generations of Americans." (Herald tribune, 1990, 3) Certainly, from this particular report, it could be observed that television has been taking over the other forms of entertainment ever since the time it was first introduced to the society. It could be noted too that as years pass, the simple innovation of a box like feature of a television continuous to involve in such a state that the said form of entertainment is able to meet the specific standard of relaxation for different types of audiences. There exists the large screen televisions, the flat screen TVs, the mobile televisions and so on and so forth (Anuradha, 1994, 34). From this point it could then be agreed upon by many that television fondness among the present generation towards the next generations is here to stay. However, the question is, with the large amount of hours spent by viewers in front of the television, how true is it to say that the habit of television viewing affects the viewers directly, leaving a great impact upon their lives as individuals' What particular future does the involvement of people to watching television naturally bring in to the possibility of the development of the future of the human individuals' To be able to examine this particular issue, the following paragraphs shall be tackled in a way by which the most important factors that contribute to the fondness of the society on television and how it impacts the people's lives in return in clear and definite description. What Television Is Really Made For Before, when there are big events that are happening in the large cities' big domes, the people are usually crowding the area of the event. People from all over the world pay so much to see their favorite teams or personalities of several gladiator fights and other sports in action. However, when the year 1920'S entered the human history, the development of an entertainment gadget, the television, came into reality. The television became the primary source of information since then. As for a fact, during the summer of the year 1991, the streets of Rome and Italy appeared to have been deserted by people because all of them were stuck in their houses watching television regarding the World Cup Soccer Games (Littner, 1980, 21). In the Philippines, just lately, the national disputes among political parties which usually caused chaos among the different groups of fanatics in the society have seemed to have stopped just because everybody was watching the Pacquiao-Morales boxing fight held in Los Angeles, California (Daily Inquirer, 2001, 14). Obviously, from these particular events, it could be agreed that television has already revolutionized the human society's natural form of entertainment which were before characterized by even transferring form place to place to simply witness some considered important events held at the different parts of the world. According to a report: "This mammoth TV event was not unique. In 1985 nearly a third of the earth's population-about 1,600,000,000 people-watched the rock concert called Live Aid. A dozen satellites beamed the program to some 150 countries, ranging from Iceland to Ghana." (Awake! 1990, 13) Certainly, television systems and applications drastically changed the way people viewed recreation and relaxation. It also revolutionized the system of information passing utilized by the people in the community. Most likely, the ways by which the people are aimed by the media have been recreated and redefined by the invention of television. Events such as the World Cup soccer matches only illustrate the power of TV to unite the globe in a single information network. TV has changed the way people learn of the world around them. It has helped to spread news and ideas, even culture and values, from one land to another, effortlessly flowing over the political and geographic boundaries that once stemmed such tides. TV has changed the world. This particular revolution in the mass communication procedures has certainly brought many changes within the human society. The span of time that the information reaches the audiences have been reduced and the real-life drama of the actual events happening on the other sides of the earth indeed affects the people from different places directly because of the information transmission hosted by television signal sites (Scheuer, 1999, 80). True, the intense changes that happened in the mass media presentation have been affecting the lives of the people in the entire society. Johannes Gutenberg is widely held to have revolutionized mass communications when the first Bible came off his printing press in 1455 (Evra, 1997, 56). Now a single message could suddenly reach a vastly greater audience in a shorter span of time, at a greatly reduced cost. Governments soon saw the power of the press and tried to control it with licensing laws. But the printed media reached ever-greater audiences (Littner, 1980, 12). In the early 1800's, historian Alexis de Tocqueville remarked that newspapers had the extraordinary power to plant the same idea in 10,000 minds in a single day.(Anuradha, 1994, 23) From all these findings and observatory statements, the television could then be defined as follows: "A box of entertainment and information that captured the attention of the majority within the human population; An innovation of modern human technology that particularly revolutionized the system of passing informations from the 1920's towards the present era; An invention that brings the present generation towards a larger leap of entertainment development in the future. The television is the present source of major entertainment and recreation to the human populace." (Evra 1997; Coon 1999) With this particular definition, it could be noted that the television is indeed a technological breakthrough that brought about the major changes and developments within the present and towards the future human generation. However, to prove the accuracy of this particular definition, it is necessary to examine the actual reports that are further disposed for public knowledge. The Present Situation and Reports on Television's Impact on Society Now consider television. It can plant the same idea in hundreds of millions of minds-all in the same instant! And unlike the printed page, it does not require its viewers to be educated in the complex art of reading, nor does it ask them to form their own mental images and impressions. It delivers its messages with pictures and sound and all the enticements they can produce. (Evra, 1997, 24) It did not take long for politicians to see the tremendous potential of television. In the United States, Dwight D.'Eisenhower used TV shrewdly in his 1952 presidential campaign. According to the book Tube of Plenty-The Evolution of American Television (Greenwood,1980), Eisenhower'won the election because he proved the more "merchandisable" candidate in the media. The book shows that TV may have played an even greater role in John F.'Kennedy's victory over Richard M.'Nixon in the 1960 election. When the candidates debated on TV, Kennedy scored higher with viewers than Nixon did. Yet, audiences who heard the same debate over the radio felt that it had been a draw. Why the difference' Nixon looked pale and haggard, while Kennedy was robust and tanned, exuding confidence and vitality. After the election, Kennedy said of television: "We wouldn't have had a prayer without that gadget." (Evra, 1997, 25) "That gadget" continued to make its power felt worldwide. Some began calling it the third superpower. Satellite technology enabled broadcasters to beam their signals across national borders and even oceans. World leaders used TV as a forum to garner international support and denounce their rivals. Some governments used it to transmit propaganda into enemy countries. And just as governments had tried to control Gutenberg's invention once they understood its power, many governments took tight hold of television. In 1986 nearly half of all nations were broadcasting only government-controlled programs. At present, there are numerous developments with regards the programs presented through the use of the satellite connections of televisions. News programs were among those, which primarily utilized the benefits brought about by television networking (Evra, 1997, 29). However, aside from this particular programming presentation, other recreational sorts of programs also found the said satellite networking system quite much effective in helping the society gain recreation and not simply information from utilizing the said technological gadget. Since then, entertainment and recreation became one of the most important factors of interest it television programming (Scheuer, 1999, 99). The production of soap operas, and fantasy based stories that are aimed to entertain especially the young audiences (Evra, 1997, 54). This is where the negative and positive effects of television on the human society enters the discussion. (A) The Benefits of Television Television has made available some wholesome entertainment programs too. In the privacy of his home a person can enjoy a Shakespeare drama, the Metropolitan Opera, ballet and concerts. There is a television series produced in England that may be enjoyed with or without sound. When the actors talk to one another (which is very seldom) they also employ sign language. This makes available an entertaining and instructive program both for people who can hear and for those who cannot. (Awake! 1990, 29) The field of education has greatly benefited from television. It makes available a variety of instructive material with a full view of the teacher and of any experiments or visual illustrations that he may provide. One can learn about mathematics, various other sciences, basic household skills, languages and many other things on educational television. Many enjoy "visual essays" that couple a fine view of live performances in arts such as music or dancing with commentary by an expert in the field. Some countries employ TV to cut down their illiteracy rate (Littner, 1980, 25). Developing countries have found it an effective tool to train people for jobs where there are not enough qualified teachers. And television presentations can be stored on videotape for repeated use. Young viewers can often talk intelligently on matters that the pre-television generations never dreamed of; and in the case of very young children, TV may contribute to a larger vocabulary, though it often has the opposite effect on older youths. "But television is merely a means of communication. Whether it benefits you personally depends upon the type of programs that you watch. Many voices have been raised in protest at the poor quality of much TV programming. In the United States television has been criticized for "pandering to the lowest common denominator in public taste." (Evra, 1997, 32) Certainly, the power of television viewing has mainly affected the ways by which the young learners are able to increase their vocabularies as well as their knowledge about the major factors of the society as well as the major branches of education, especially when they are viewing educational programs. In these terms, the fact that television also brings about benefits to the society is indeed proven. (B) The Disadvantages of Viewing TV There are several factors of viewing that brings about negative effects to the human individuals. There are at least four major themes that characterize this particular impact. The said program themes in the television that brings about the disadvantages include (a) Sexual Immorality; (b) Corruption and Social Chaos or dishonesty; (c) fantasy and make believe; and (d) Violence (Anuradha, 1994, 24). These particular themes are usually the primary themes used by television programming that at some point attracts the larger amount of viewers form the public. Why is this so' According to psychology experts, people who usually watch television are those who are having not much of things to do; those who are not preoccupied enough with their jobs that they are able to spend long hours of the day sitting in front of their televisions (coon, 1999, 26). They are the main targets of the producers of programs in the television. Hence, to be able to gain much profit from them, these producers aim to tickle their interests through the utilization of the major themes that directly attract their attention (Anuradha, 1994, 54). Making believe is among the top themes used by producers in creating the programs that they present to the society. Movies and television series that are arranged in patterns of the fantasy themes have normally received much appreciation from public viewers (Scheuer, 1999). As for a fact, movies such as Harry Potter, the Terminator, Lord of the Rings and other more programs following the same theme attracted much of the population in the society. They are among the movies, which are considered to become the blockbusters of the years when they were first shown to the public. True, the relaxation that the said movies bring to its viewers is indeed incomparable. Psychologists again add that the need of people to rest from reality through believing in fantasy stories is indeed a defense mechanism of the society in facing the reality of life (Coon, 1999, 145). Watching movies that make them realize that they are powerful enough like "heroes" such as Spiderman and batman in facing their lives, effective and strategic in ways of facing their transgressions through the use of magic like Harry Potter; makes the human society feel like there are of no limits and that they are empowered in terms of fantasy to face the challenges that they meet everyday (Coon, 1999, 146). However, not all the audiences that are able to access the said movies are mature enough to understand that what they are seeing is simply make believe. In fact, 70% of the viewers of these particular themes are young children from the ages two towards the ages six, who are known to believe whatever they see in the television. They are not that much capable of setting apart the truth from make-believe. Hence, upon seeing the programs that were mentioned above, they are disposed of to beliefs that they are able to become like that of the characters that they see on television. Children as young as they are have no limitations as to what they are supposed to or not believe in. The trend of television toward the "new morality" is also a disheartening one. Startled viewers have seen shows that deal with homosexuality and lesbianism. Full frontal nudity has appeared on stations of the Public Broadcasting System. Comedy shows often feature off-color humor. And what about the "soap operas"' The pamphlet TV and the New Morality observes: "Daytime soap operas deal frankly with adultery and casually show unmarried couples in bed together." (Awake! 1998, 23) Again, the young audiences are not addressed fairly in this part of the program arrangement of the television showing. Form this particular picture; it could be observed that the moral disposition of the children is rather placed in such a confusing status. Hence, when they grow older, their understanding of what is right and what is wrong is then misarranged that they be subjected to confusion when they are already facing the actual situations in life when they are the ones who are already expected on what is right and what is not. In terms of human relations, in bygone days when a person wished to learn of events or matters of local or world importance, he would have to get that information by direct communication with other people. Friends would gather at the village well or at the general store for an exchange of news and views. But with television, people may get the same information without bothering with their neighbors (Evra, 1997, 47). If they are not careful, they can allow television to quash their incentive to communicate with others. One writer spoke of TV watchers as being "anonymous island-audiences, newly separated from one another." (Awake! 1998, 24)Certainly, television programs at some point ruins the doubtless relationships of humans with each other. The used to be loyally disposed relationships between humans are being directly affected by the doubtful ideas presented in televisions. Knowing both the advantages and the disadvantages brought about by television viewing, it should then occur to each individual that the importance of balancing television viewing with other activities away from it is an essential part in assisting the youths especially in their behavioral advancements towards adulthood that are actually directly affected by their practices in television viewing. How Should the Impact be faced' The Daily Yomiuri of Japan reported that 42 families in the city of Kobe participated in a municipally sponsored program to break "the mental shackles of soap operas and situation comedies." The average family in Kobe watches TV about four hours a day. But for one month these families, ranging from young newlyweds in their 20's to retirees, unplugged their TV sets to see what life without TV is like. What did they find' (Awake! 1990, 23) First, they found that the "withdrawal symptoms" were not entirely painless or easy to take. One family was not able to last one single day without TV. Four other families soon gave in and dropped out of the program. What about the rest' Note what the report says: "People related with enthusiasm how a feeling of tranquility had returned to their homes, that they were sleeping and rising earlier, reading more, and were in a generally healthier frame of mind. (Awake!1990) "One mother said that she and her husband now have lively conversations with their kids, a rarity when the TV set was their primary nightly companion. (Awake!1990) "Others said that their children, who never used to lift a finger in the house, were now making their beds and helping with the dishes." (Awake!1990) The attitude of many TV owners seems to be changing. At one time most of them would find it unthinkable or even pitiable to be without a TV set. Now they often say they wish they had the willpower or courage to do without, or at least had better control of their TV-viewing habits. If that is how an individual feels, then he may be assured that whatever effort he needs to put forth now will be amply rewarded. An Experiential Basis of Report It is, much remarkable to consider that the son of the author of this paper's friend finds it difficult to wake up in the morning without the assistance of his favorite show on television. He carried this dilemma from his fourth age up until now that he is already eight years of age and is already attending grade school. This started when his mother started to make the television a regular "assistant" in helping him wake up in the morning since he was in his fourth year of age. According to the young child, he became used to the practice that even when he started to gain age, that certain practice of being accompanied by the television upon waking up became a certain sort of addiction to him. His exposure to the different television programs at a very young age has created a longing for being constantly able to see the programs in television. Although he was first introduced to educational programs that were particularly designed to help young children learn early vocabularies and other more educational lessons, the craving for new taste of shows began to develop in him came his age of six. He confessed of having been spending at least seven hours straight infront of the television. Unlike other children of his age, he wanted to stay home and watch television more than playing with his peers. This particular "waking-assistance system" used by his mother when he was younger obviously affected the way he understood the essence of growth. The effect of the television-addiction on the young child directly affected his studies, his attitudes and his personality as he has been growing up. Unfortunately, not all the programs he watched were wholesome or at least rightful for his age. In fact, he confessed of having been able to sneak out of his room from time to time after sleeping hours and head to the living room to turn on the television and watch pornographic movies shown on television late hours at night. Furthermore, his teachers tell of the fact that he is usually caught sleeping while in class. This is primarily because of the fact that he usually staying up late for his favorite shows and not even his mother could keep him away from the addiction anymore. His mother then tried to seek for professional help. He was then subjects him to home-based therapy which makes him focus on reading and spend more time outside playing with his peers. The observational therapy lasted for at least three weeks. After which, developments could be obviously seen. He began to reduce watching television and spent more time doing other things. This particular experience indeed helps readers understand the fact that early exposure to television viewing leads to early addiction as well. Reducing the effects of the said addiction may not be that easy to deal with. This is the reason why it is strongly advised that young children not be left alone in front of the television as this particular practice may develop to a destructive fondness which will only lead to the children's failure in their future life. Conclusion Television viewing is not wrong. Appreciating its benefits for entertainment and recreation is not a wrong act. However, by further reading this particular study, it could be observed how strong television could be upon the audiences. For this reason, it is simply rightful to consider the fact that there is a need in balancing the situation in social status in viewing television programs. The reduction of the hours spent by viewers in front of the television set is indeed one of the primary aims of the different programs set to balance the viewing practice. TV fills the hours of loneliness of the elderly and the sick. And think of the tremendous impact TV programs are having, for good or for bad, on the impressionable minds of school-age children. The modern age simply could not live without the existence of entertainment and relation that is provided by television viewing. As of this time, television viewing seems to be the cheapest type of relation in comparison with an appointment to spa shops and body massages. Television viewing appears to be within reach for anybody. On the other hand, besides the practicality of the entertainment brought about by this particular technological gadget, it should be noted that too much viewing affects the human behavior development. Hence, seeing this particular factor of consideration and addressing it with a considerable amount of attention, the problem on balancing the effects of television could be successfully met. Certainly, even though James Robinson points out that television is already loosing its grip on young viewers as technology of communication further advances, it could be observed that the effect of television never ends to affect the entire human society at present which is to be of much concern for many individuals in the society today. References: K. Anuradha. (1994). Television Viewing, Its Effect on Children's Personal and Educational Development. Discovery Publishing House. Ner Littner. (1980). Television viewing and its effects, if any, on children. Television Information Office. Jeffrey Scheuer. (1999). The Sound Bite Society: Television and the American Mind. Four Walls Eight Windows. Judith Van Evra. (1997). Television and Child Development. Lea; 2nd edition. Dennis Coon. (1999). Behavioral development and Psychology. Prentice Hall. Greenwood. (1990). Tube of Plenty-The Evolution of American Television. Prentice Hall. The Herald Tribune. Affecting the society with television. (1990). New York, New York. Awake! Scaling how television affects viewers. (1990). Brooklyn, New York Publishing, Brooklyn New York. Awake! Making the Changes happen. (1998). Brooklyn, New York Publishing, Brooklyn New York. Philippine daily Inquirer. (2000). All Eyes on the Country's Hero. Manila Philippines. James Robinson. British TV's enfant terrible stumbles into adulthood. http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/2008/oct/26/andyduncan-channel4. (December 8, 2008). Read More