In February 2006, when Tehmina and I moved to Salisbury, we made another big decision: as well as the big move, we would ditch our television too.
It didn’t take long to get used to life without it. The most common question people seem to ask me is “what do you do instead?”. It’s an easy one to answer, but in many ways, quite sad to have to answer it - do some people honestly have no life beyond TV? The trouble is, I know the answer to that one too…
So what do I do instead of watch TV? How do I keep up with the world?
Firstly, there’s the radio. BBC Radio 4 wakes me up with the Today Show, which covers the latest news and current affairs. I continue to listen to it while I’m getting ready for work, so get the gist of the major issues of the day. If there’s something I want to follow up, I can visit the BBC News website, or WikiNews if I want a different slant. I can hit Technorati to see what the blogosphere is saying about the big stories, if I fancy a citizen journalist perspective. If I’m really feeling like it (and it’s quite rare) I can watch the BBC’s streaming news and weather through the BBC Broadband portal.
So what about the evenings? Well, I’m an avid book collector. I read. I listen to music. I surf the net. I listen to the radio. I listen to podcasts. I watch internet TV channels through the Democracy player. I blog. I go out to the pub or for a walk. I cook. I make music. I podcast. There’s lots to do, and TV was just becoming a distraction!
This evening, for example, Tehm and I were discovering unsigned bands on the Podsafe Music Network, then we watched an enhanced podcast about calligraphy and the Iranian poet Hafez, from the British Museum lecture series (iTunes link). Who needs MTV or the History Channel?!
Have you got rid of your TV too? Do you think you could?
I was without a TV for the past year and it was great. Loads more time for computer games… ;-)
Leif - that’s a ‘was’ as in past tense - do you have one now?
Ian and I have survived perfectly well without a tv in the past for a number of years and didn’t really miss it, although we do currently have one. Ian even managed three years in Germany without a radio! Now that I couldn’t do…
Life without TV is one thing - but life without radio..? I couldn’t do it!
I have a TV-less household too, and enjoy it very much. Life is more interesting without the same-old TV shows to watch every night.
Since you’re a Democracy Player user, you may find this interview with one of the company’s co-founders interesting. In fact, it can be subscribed to through Democracy.
We’re in the process of getting rid of ours too & have had two TV free weeks & have loved it!
Some people think we’re mad, others say they wish they could do it!
I just got rid of mine yesterday. I’m suffering withdrawal symptoms but, strangely i’ve got to admit i feel GREAT!