[cylon]

I recently did a "mini trial" of no moving images at all, including the internet, for about nine days. On the ninth day I turned that magic box on and watched a DVD.

Passive watching of tv shows, where the content is chosen for me (meaning, the broadcaster decides when the program airs, commercial breaks, interruptions of "breaking news stories"----no I don't have tivo), doesn't feel good to me except in small doses. I rarely, rarely watch TV unless I'm at someone's house (and even then I'd prefer to just listen to music and talk), or at a sports bar where I'm watching a game on tv.

Watching DVDs though, is extremely relaxing and enjoyable for me because it's something I want to watch, when I want to watch it, and no one has the power to interrupt it with something I'd rather not see. I enjoy experiencing those human dramas and emotions with the characters.

This is no different than the ancient art of watching plays, except you're not really with other people, unless you're in a movie theater. When you're in a theater sharing that experience, and you can see the reaction on the faces on the other people watching, it becomes a social experience and is quite enjoyable too.

I think what is really potentially damaging is this, the internet. I've had problems with web addiction and am trying to find the middle ground right now-- I find it affects the way I act and see the world in a much more significant way than a movie that lasts a specific amount of time would. With the internet, the "movie" of clicking different web pages, having chats online, youtube videos, whatever it is, never ends until you decide that "story" is over.

I've seen people on here say the same thing, that they can't turn the computer off, that it just sucks them in and makes them completely lethargic... much more than the negative experiences of a passive movie watching experience.

Maybe a different angle on what you were asking.