Do we as consumers still crave attention and
a greater choice in the possibilities to be “online” and a part of everything.
Or do we perhaps also enjoy the opportunity to “be offline” and “just be entertained”
without having to invest a part of ourselves?
I
saw a trailer on TV2 the other day, it was for their daily morning show ”Go’
Morgen Danmark” (good morning Denmark). It was a spin-off of my beloved sit-com
FRIENDS. To the tune of “I’ll be there for you” the hosts where shown in
different scenarios from the show. It got me thinking. Have my television
become an old friend that I just can’t let go of, where I just can’t seem to
make the transition into making it ”someone that I used to know”. Or is my TV
more a trusted friend in need, which as a medium provides me with something
unique that keeps me coming back?
I
thought about my day. I get up in the morning; I check my email and Facebook. I
go on with my day; I take a look at LinkedIn and my news app and get up-to-date
on Twitter, meanwhile the latest mails ticks in and the newest updates on
Facebook is pushed to my Smartphone. I shape my online presence by “liking”
things that are important to me, and by participating in my friends’ online-selves
on different social medias. I constantly offer my involvement and a part of my
limited attention to a vast variety of sources that crave it. Evening comes.
I’m tried. What do I do? I turn on my television – but why? What is it that the
television does for me?
I
have come to believe that there are basically two reasons why my ongoing
relationship with my TV continues to thrive. For one, I have grown up in an
environment where it was natural that the television filled the living room in
the evening time and brought the family together. I therefore have a strong
habit for including my TV in my evening leisure time. Watching TV feeds my
human craving for nostalgia, and my Danish need for “hygge”.
Secondly,
I believe that my TV provides my mind with a sanctuary wherein I have to
opportunity to escape the constant need to be “online” and “social” – with a
environment where I can be entertained, where I gain new input and insights,
without having to invest a great deal of myself in the transaction. I only need
to provide my attention – not my feedback and social-acceptance. I can’t click
“like” or share an update – I do not have to process the likes and updates of
my online friends. I can just sit back and enjoy the one-way communication for
as long as I desire. And when my need for this is fulfilled, I can take out my
Smartphone or laptop once more, and return to the online universe – and if I
miss my TV friend(s) I can even meet them there.
I
had to think about it a bit, the answer was not clear to me a first, but
through reflection I was able to move past the economical founded irritation of
“why isn’t there ever anything good to watch” and come to realizing that my old
friend the TV actually helps me cope and deal with living in this new world
where everything and everyone is online always.
So
to me, my TV is valued friend who helps me cope with being a citizen in this
over-communicated world where everything is going digital. In the mist of this progress
of everything “going online” I also find my self confronted with even more
means of watching TV - where and whenever I desire. And I’m left wondering; is
that really what I desire? Do I feel relived that I do not have to miss my
favorite show, or pressured to spend even more time ”online”? My personal jury
is still out, and I’m awaiting the verdict. However I will not be surprised if
my habits will once more adapt and take in this new way of having a
relationship to my dear old friend – my beloved TV.
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