Watching The Box Watch Peter H
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The medium of television is perhaps the most prevalent leveling factor in American society today- almost every household in America owns a television set, a device centered around a cathode ray tube which is designed to bring two-dimensional illusionary sights and sounds to its viewers. As seen in articles such as Peter Hamill's "Crack in the Box", or in the collection of letters called "Watching
TV", there are many strong and contradictory takes on the role television plays in society today. It would appear from a cursory look at the text that there is currently a debate raging across the United States of America centered upon defining the virtues and vices exhibited by ...
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TV", three citizens share their personal experience with television and conception of the medium and its role in their individual lives. The writers are not professional journalists or professional commentators. Instead, they are members of the general public who felt the need (in response to a segment in The Sun magazine) to share their view with others. The opinions expressed are written in a straightforward manner, and hopefully reflect the true thoughts of the writers. Two general positions are supported by the letters, which oppose each other: 1)television is basically good for people, 2)television is basically bad for people.
The first letter comes from R. Lurie, of Santa Fe, New Mexico. She or he relates to the reader how television allows a great level of intimacy between viewer and viewed, without the complications of real life. This openness is contrasted to the "real" relationships which she or he has had, where pain and emotional exhaustion play a great part ...
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up, the television set played a smaller role in her life. Television does, however, play an important role in the life of her now elderly mother; instead of having positive human connections, her mom has television. Personal contact with other people has faded away with the death of her husband and other major life changes, but he connection to television remains. For her, "TV is good company" (604).
My own experience with television is rather ambivalent. Looking back on my childhood, I watched a lot of television, though when comparing my habits with my peers, it appears that my experience with television was fairly normal. My parents were conscious of my viewing habits, and ...
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"Watching The Box Watch Peter H." Essayworld.com. January 28, 2004. Accessed April 25, 2024. http://www.essayworld.com/essays/Watching-The-Box-Watch-Peter-H/2142.
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