Feed the empty minds…
If you are reading this right now and claim to not watch that much television, you are lying. But even if we pretend you are not a liar, we both know that everyone else watches television, and way too much of it. They’re all a bunch of brain washed zombies who don’t read enough books. I know, it’s just so frustrating. But what can you do?
Firstly, stop lying to yourself. It will help no one.
Secondly – Writers, they, like everyone else, watch that bloddy TV set (or use Hulu). A harmless time killer, right? We read books, we’re smart! We can spend some downtime watching a pointless movie.
Hold up. Pointless movie, eh? Is it really so pointless?
Problem?
It’s no surprise to hear that our minds don’t do much while we watch TV. But it’s becomes a little more disturbing to know that your brain does more work sleeping than it does watching TV. (Brain cells need to be used guys, or they die. Please, save the brain cells.)
“Therefore TV is stupid and must be the cause of stupidity-!” Hold it there, my friend, that’s not where I be going with this.
It’s true that it requires much less effort to watch television than to read a book. Already you’re setting yourself up for a neurological nap. Books used to be the way we got our information and the song of our culture, requiring we expend a little brain power, but now with the flashy screen of the media that is no longer true.
The book has not been rendered obsolete, but…it’s statues has been somewhat diminished…You know it’s bad when college English classes resort to movies, not books, to keep kids in class.
Hang on, our English teachers are using movies. What gives?
There is no question that Jersey Shore and American Idol are backed by very little intelligence, but our media isn’t entirely without meat. But in order to tap into this culture medien, one must first -gasp- turn your brain on! Don’t let your mind die in front of the set we both know you spend so much time with. Your brain cells only live once. #YBCOLO
Movies and shows can be as easily read as a book, well, actually it’s easier, which makes the fact that a small percentage actually do very sad. The songs, ideas and messages of our culture are still alive. Even if their medien be on a TV screen. Deep meanings and thoughtfully put together cultural messages are still to be found among the masses, even if they can’t see them.
Don Coscarelli’s Bubbu-Ho-Tep
So next time you watch a movie about Elvis with a cancer on his manhood teaming up with a black JFK to defeat a mummy in cowboy boots, don’t forget to turn your brain on (like I did) and miss the message about what it really means to grow old. Meaningful writing can happen in the strangest and most unconventional of places. Even in a retirement home where mummies try to suck the souls of the living out of their asses.
Don’t let this be a books vs. television world, because there is no getting rid of one or the other, or assuming one will always be more intelligent than the other. It’s the viewer (or reader!) that decides whether they are watching stupid. Having an open mind is key in being a writer, so might as well embrace and learn what you can out of both.
Books & Ravings 