I mentioned elsewhere that we do not usually have a TV. Someone challenged me when I mentioned a daughter's reference to a recent movie. While I realize no elaboration is probably necessary, I did think it would make a moderately interesting article topic.

First of all, I'm not one of those "TV is bad" folks. While I do not approve of much of the popular culture, it is a perfectly acceptable medium for those who do approve of that culture, and who want to indulge in it. And TV has as much capacity for good as it does for bad, frankly. And, while we can point to shows like "the Flava of Love" and "the Surreal Life" as poignant examples of producers with too much money to spend and too many stupid advisers willing to take it, we can point to a long list of History Channel, Animal Planet, PBS, and yes, even occasionally, network, programs that have made a positive impact for the betterment of society. So my basic philosophy is not that TV is bad, simply that it is superfluous.

Second, there's a difference between having a TV in the broadcast sense versus having a video player. Sure, you technically have the TV, but unless there are actually channels on it, you're pretty much as out of touch with network programming as someone who does not physically have a TV in their home. What you see is often combined with what you view at friends' or neighbours' houses.

The truth is, the primary reason I don't have a TV is not that I HATE TV. It's that I like it a little too much. If I have only videos to play, well then I play the video and it's over. Sure, i may futz with special features every now and again, but you can only watch the Anchorman version of the "Afternoon Delight" video so many times before it, too, gets stale, and you move on to other things. Limiting TV to one's video collection is a good way of limiting the time.

I also find it an unnecessary expense, and one that takes money away from other needed projects. In the last month, we've had over $1000 in off budget expenses, and, frankly, to spend $50 for satellite programming seems to be a waste of money in light of the numerous personal and community projects I need to get done.

So when I mention I don't have a TV, don't take it as a sanctimonious declaration of my pious nature. Take it simply as a statement of fact.