"Find more fulfilling sources of entertainment."
How I did it: I grew up with the television as my closest companion. I was young and impressionable in the era of early MTV and shows like the Real World, Beavis and Butthead, etc. My social life revolved around quoting television and films with my friends. I slept with the TV on every night and spent countless waking hours watching it. The worst part is that when TV is such a big part of your life, you don't even care what you're watching anymore. It becomes an addictive way to just flush out your own thoughts and let somebody else take over.
It wasn't until I was about 22 that I just woke up one day and decided to say F*** That! I'm not going to waste my life on my couch, clutching a remote. I need to be out and about, causing mischief and getting into high speed chases, etc.
Well I was broke, so running straight out to see the world wasn't in my budget. Instead, I chose to start reading books to broaden my awareness of the world. I had read for school and whatnot, but never thought of it for recreation.
I also opened myself up to the world of documentaries. I found that informational media isn't for nerds, it is absolutely key for those who want to be well informed(which should be everyone). After seeing just a few important, angering documentaries I realized that society needs a lot of work. I made a total turn around in who I am. I began caring about politics, human rights, and many other things that I had been totally apathetic about when left to receive all info from TV.
A strong sense of contempt for the crap they show on MTV and VH1 helped motivate me a lot. I decided I simply could not be part of the demographic they were aiming this garbage at. One of the things that really disgusted me was the new vein of Love-Seeking-Celebrity Reality Shows that was just starting to destroy minds at an insane rate back then. Now they're up to Rock of Love like 5 or 6 right? I'm glad to say I have noooo idea!
My transition from TV to reading kinda saved my life. I now feel like I've been freed from a mental prison. That kind of mindless entertainment holds us all back and makes us apathetic sheep. When we get all our information from the same people, we leave ourselves open to virtual mind control. Don't let it happen!
I now read as much as I can and I actually feel like an informed member of the world who's opinion actually matters. Aside from news and occasional indulgences, I try to totally abstain from TV. I watch documentaries and movies a lot, but only ones that I choose because I know they'll be good. Reading is now my favorite form of entertainment.
Lessons & tips: Watch a documentary ( Jesus Camp is a good one) and compare the way that makes you feel to an episode of whatever new bret micheals or celebrity rehab show is out now. Then compare that to reading a book. get a whole book down and see how you feel.
Resources: http://www.onlinedocumentaries4u.com/
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May 10, 08:16PM PDT
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