March 27th, 2009
Not Enough Time in the Day to ... Watch TV.
There is not enough time in the day to work, sleep, eat … and watch TV.
This has bothered me for a long time.
But you can’t live and consume media — digital or otherwise.
So now comes the latest study from the wizards at Ball State University (make of that rubric what you will).
This outcropping of still-reputable U.S. academia found that the 45-54 age group spends 9.5 hours a day watching TV on one or more screens (TV set, computer or cell phone).
All other age groups, in this study, spent 8.5 hours with TV.
So: How can this really happen?
I like to believe most people are responsible … and human.
So:
On the responsible end, a wage-earning employee or professional has to spend at least (repeat: at least) eight hours a day on the job. That is, performing profit-producing activities for a profit-seeking organization.
After that, the person has to spend — supposedly — another eight (8) hours sleeping, to remain a functional human. Or performance declines.
So, if another 8.5 hours or 9.5 hour is spent watching TV — on one or more screens — how is there any time left for any other normal human pursuit?
Such as;
* Talking to a spouse. This can be time-consumptive.
* Hugging or kissing a spouse. Less time-consumptive.
* Consorting in any other fashion with a spouse. You name it.
Let’s get real and just acknowledge that no individual really spends 8 or 9 or more hours truly watching a TV.
The TV may be on. But so is the fireplace, so is the air conditioning (at the same time), and a lot of other homestead and personal activities,
The screen does not have an unbridled hold on anyone’s time, most of the time.
Tom Steinert-Threlkeld is editor-in-chief of Securities Industry News, as well as a long-time media, technology and business journalist. See his full profile and disclosure of his industry affiliations.
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