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The Associated Press reports that TV tastes are so different in some homes that husbands and wives hardly ever watch TV together anymore. She likes Ugly Betty. He likes Star Trek. She watches Grey’s Anatomy. He’s into House.

Television has long been criticized for its contribution to the fragmentation of society. After all, before TV, families created their own entertainment, often gathering around the fireplace for stories or around the piano to sing some favorite songs. The front porch was a staple of American society, for it was here that neighbors came and visited and caught up on the latest news.

TV changed all that. Front porches quickly disappeared. The living room was no longer the “sitting room,” but the main hub of entertainment. Televisions became the main feature of many living rooms. And thus the the fragmentation began. Families isolated themselves from their neighbors, choosing to enjoy the banter of neighbors on TV sitcoms than to enter into conversation with neighbors of their own.

But even then, watching TV was a family event. Families gathered around to watch the best comedies and variety shows. Sunday night movies were a highlight of a family’s week.

As television variety increased, so did the number of televisions in a home. Now, many homes have more than one television, often one for each room. Preteens have Disney on TV in their rooms; teenagers live on MTV. Parents watch TV in bed before retiring for the night.

In our television saturated society, how can we avoid this fragmentation? Some Christians have decided to toss the TV all together. Not a bad idea, actually. Others (like myself) decide to hang on to TV, but to watch intentionally. We do not have cable (on purpose). We buy the DVDs of television shows we enjoy, and Corina and I watch them together. It seems silly to me to even think of buying a TV show that only appeals to one of us. The best part of watching a TV show is watching it together, sharing the experience and being able to discuss it.

But now, the AP reports that the husbands and wives aren’t watching TV together either. The fragmentation from television is complete. There’s something to appeal to everyone. And I guess that means, everyone wins! Or maybe, everyone loses.

written by Trevin Wax. © 2007 Kingdom People Blog

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