[Alvin]

I used to watch TV for hours and hours on end, I'd just lie there on the couch and vegetate, and a lot of times just zone out and even watch stuff I didn't really want to watch but watched anyway (silly stuff like those darn TV ads!).

Now, I never watch TV, if I want to see a TV series or movie I just rent or buy it and watch it at my leisure.

What has been the biggest benefit?

I'd say the change between a passive state of couch potatoe-ing and mindlessly watching whatever and a state of consciously choosing what to watch, when to watch it and how long I want to watch.

You don't really get to choose when you do TV (well, I hear about this 'Tivo' thing you Americans have).

Now having this conscious choice of how to spend my time, I'd never go back to zoning out hours a day wasting them in front of the boom tube!

I've been off TV for a good 10 years now, and I find I can't even sit still in front of it, it just seems so inane, not to mention the horrible programs they show! Bleargh!