were not bamboozled by this man.
Unfortunately, most, possibly all of those who were bamboozled by him, are addicted to their televisions. Whether they watch Fox, or another network, they think that what they see on that screen represents reality. They couldn't be more wrong.
I haven't had television, broadcast, cable, or satellite, in over eight years now, since a relocation after a divorce made it a financial decision to do without. To be honest, I originally thought of this as an experiment, something temporary. After all, about four different times in my life I'd been without TV, but always went back. I assumed it would be the same this time.
But as the weeks, then the months, and then the years passed, I found I simply didn't miss it. I could watch most of what I wanted on the internet, especially breaking news. When something happens, local TV stations often go to live streaming, and I've watched plenty of events that way.
For about five years, any time I was in a hotel room I'd watch TV, although I always found the commercials annoying. Yes, that's the best benefit of no TV. No commercials. Recently, as in the past 2 or 3 years, I've noticed that the TV in my hotel room has become invisible, and I don't ever turn it on.
And I honestly think I'm better informed than most. I wake up to Amy Goodman every morning. I listen to BBC news. Terry Gross. Diane Rehm. I read. Mostly books, but also my local newspaper.
Back in the mid-70's, the other longest period without TV, that lasted probably six years, a co-worker was convinced that because I didn't watch TV I wouldn't have any idea what was going on in the world. So periodically he'd quiz me, and he was always astonished to learn that not only did I know what was going on, but I often knew more than was typically reported in the media.
So if you want to remain ignorant, continue to watch the news, whatever source you prefer. Okay, some I'm exaggerating a bit here, but more than once here on DU I've seen complaints about some relatively trivial news story taking over the news outlets. Turn the damn thing off! Read a book. Watch a National Geographic special. Go for a walk. Trust me, you'll be vastly better off.
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