Television at Gas Stations

I enjoy watching television. Though I read a lot compared to many people, I still enjoy the world of television and feel that in addition to mindless entertainment, there's also a great deal to be learned from television. However, I also feel that too much of something is a bad thing. Alcohol in moderation is fine, alcohol in excessive quantities can be lethal. Same goes for red meat, salt, and anything else that's so good that it's bad for you. Television is no different. When it was first invented, people just couldn't get enough of it. Auto manufacturers even went so far as to try and include a working set in cars back in the 1950's. The idea didn't pan out then, but perhaps it was simply ahead of its time.

These days it's getting to the point that I would challenge you to find a minivan without a pair of DVD screens in the back. It's next to impossible to do it. Perhaps it's because television is once again serving the function of surrogate babysitter for beleagured parents looking for some respite from the age old question "Are we there yet?" while on a simple run to the grocery store. Perhaps it is also a sign that television, through the relative encheapening of LCD screens, is making a major comeback in terms of information overload. Take for example the latest trend that is appearing in California. LCD screens are being installed in gas pumps at various locations to determine if it truly is a helpful item. Now for places like New Jersey where there is only full service gas pumping it's a moot point since we the driver wouldn't get to enjoy it anyways but when you're going self service, would it be beneficial?

There are enough people out there who have problems dealing with a car in general, do we really need more distractions out there? There are efforts in place to curb or ban the use of cell phones while driving, to end text messaging or using blackberries while in the car. To some extent it has worked but now adding televisions to gas stations, that's a step in the wrong direction in my opinion. To me, part of the reason for going out on the road is to get away from the daily grind and stress that can come from constantly being connected to work and the world, through phones, e-mail and television. Sometimes it's nice to just get out there and enjoy the open road for a little while. Why do we need to have television during those times?

Some may argue that television at a gas station is a great thing but I ask if it really is. Would you be willing to go to another gas station farther away from your house simply because you could watch ESPN while filling up your SUV? I grant you that perhaps the fact that filling forty gallons of gas in an SUV is a time-consuming effort but how much time does it really take? Is your life going to suddenly be bettered by the fact that you can catch the latest sports or news stories? If you are that obsessed with either topic, wouldn't you already be listening to this on the radio, and if you are truly that obsessed on either topic, would you be out of the house, away from your TV at all in the first place? I think not.

I won't call televisions at gas stations a danger to the roads, but I certainly think it isn't something that is necessary. We get enough information thrown at us as it is, I don't think we need more than that. I think Simon and Garfunkle said it best, "these are the sounds of silence". Sometimes it's the best thing. I mean seeing as how we're fast becoming a society of individuals who are bent on seeking out the most dangerous possibilities in society and taking action on these horrific thoughts, do we need television there? I mean, the Transportation Security Agency is now seriously looking at banning all remote controlled toys from airlines because they could hide radio activated bombs. That being the case, wouldn't televisions at gas stations be just as dangerous? Supposing a die hard sports fan finds out his team has lost, being disgruntled already he sees a supporter of the opposing team in the lane next to his, in retribution he douses him with gasoline and then lights it on fire. Not likely but possible isn't it? Just wait, that new study will be out soon enough.