Act now in solidarity with TV Boycott

by Hilda Robinson Tue May 06, 2003 11:15

I'm no fan of the constant soaps and soccer that infests TV. But is there any reason to boycott all TV? TV in itself is not bad.

I think this flows from the idea that in the past things were better. Well sorry to upset you guys back before industrialisation and modern technology things were not better. Capitalism is better than feudalism, it's far more productive and has given us the means of creating a better world.

I dont think anyone should boycott TV. Personally I boycott soap operas, not for political reasons- but because they are shite.

by ipsiphi Mon May 05, 2003 12:07

i should remind the impressionable reader that it is always essential to seek your partner's consent before you attach electrodes to their head.
you may also use a key "release" word.

by redjade Mon May 05, 2003 01:41

ok, I'll show my solidarity and not get cable hooked up for a couple more weeks :-)

its all UK and US channels anyway.

by Ciaron - Catholic Worker Sun May 04, 2003 19:01

If you can get a hold of it read Jerry Manders excellent '70's book "Four Arguments for the Elimination of Television"..the later one "In the Absence of the Sacred" is pretty good on shopping malls

by Ray Gun Sun May 04, 2003 18:52

Do you really think anybody is going to do this? I dont have much interest in TV myself, especialy the crap output from RTE with its predominant US sourced programmes and dire news coverage. But I do recognise that 99% of the population spend a lot of time watching the box. You haven't a hope in hell of getting them to change their habits.

I suggest using TV to get your point across. In that way you will get to your target audience. If this is a serious campaign (its actually the first I heard of it) hold a press conference and get TV3 and RTE to cover it. Then more people will hear about it. Otherwise its a lost cause if you and perhaps seven other people in the entire country turn off your tvs on the day of action.

by ipsiphi Sun May 04, 2003 14:10

To make- sweatshop labour.
exposes mostly female and teenage workers to poisonous material.

To watch- watching TV alters ther endochronological system, this effect most pronounced in chlidren may best be illustrated thus.. [child sees violence, child is scared, there is no real cuase for scare]

To dispose of- TV may not be disposed of without difficulty, becuase it is TOXIC.

from the Pamphlet "how to watch less TV".

TV is the primary tool of the "power/knowledge" assault by the State on our senses.
Upon coming home from work, having spent the day with real people enjoying one hopes the opportunity to have a ·real· conversation, stare blankly at your partner.

and play this game:

Leave your partner in the corner of the living room with electrodes attached to the rear of their head.
Put a cardboard box over your partner's head.
leave a small space so you can see your partner's head still.
Now ask your partner to tell you about Cars. every fifteen minutes.
You may like to point a "zapper" at your partner and insist they "entertain you" with Lotto results, Weather Forecast (clue it rains in Ireland almost every day). Be sure your partner can mimic different accents, observe how your own accent shall change accordingly.

When your partner bores of being a TV set, you can always swap places with them.
IN this way you shall still have the "fun" of TV, with the real life dimension. Your partner will probably not show you things you can not afford, nor seem sexier than they usually are with a cardboard boxc on their head, but who knows...

by jm Sun May 04, 2003 13:01

every act of resistance to corporate-sponsored lies is meaningful. even small ones like not watching t.v.
sometimes you've gotta start small, and i for one will not run down someone's ideas because they are not broad enough...yet.

by James McKenna Sun May 04, 2003 09:39 jimmymac61 at hotmail dot com

May I quote you becuase you are so right.

"How will that actually bring about change in society"

"If you want to change society we must go further. You must engage in struggle and get active in a practicle way fight against neo liberalism and this right wing governemnt."

My suggestion would be that the purpose of articles such as this are to confuse and befuddle genuine activists or potential activists into unsless uneffective areas, far away from the work we should be doing , as you say.

Kepp you mind working Janty it is you sword against the lies they tell.

by Janty Sun May 04, 2003 03:35

You will not change the world by simply not watching TV! how is that challenging capitalism? How will that actually bring about change in society, all it will change is a few TV ratings I do not think the capitalists are quaking in their boots.

If you want to change society we must go further. You must engage in struggle and get active in a practicle way fight against neo liberalism and this right wing governemnt.