Worshipping at the Altar of the TV

I think most people would be lying if they said that they didn't watch a lot of television. Sure there are those out there who don't watch television at all but they are definitely a small minority in the grand scheme of things. Ever since the television was invented there have been a growing number of ways in which the makers of television and the movies have been attempting to keep you coming back to 'worship' over and over again. Seriously, if television watching were a religion, I think it would surpass every other organized religion on the planet.

I don't think there's anything inherently wrong with television. I mean after the way things are going in the economy and around the world these days television is at least a means of escaping reality for a little while. Sure it probably isn't the healthiest or smartest means of releaving the modicum of normal mundane life but it certainly is the most addictive to most people. And television makes things so much more convenient for people who want to broaden their horizons but not take the time to do it. For example, think of the number of times people have seen the movie before reading the book. You know what I mean when I say that. Although the book of some television show or movie may have been around for decades, until it is filmed and broadcast, many people would never be bothered to know about it.

And the appeal of television doesn't seem to be diminishing. Sure there are fluctuations in how much and what people watch but nonetheless there is still a distinct appeal to television that doesn't seem to wane with age. Don't believe me? Then how about the recent record breaking television viewing record set by Toronto native Suresh Joachim. Originally from Sri Lanka, Joachim's previous claim to fame was setting the original nonstop TV watching record back in 2005 when he watched for a little over 69 hours. This time he stuck it out for a little longer and set a new record at just over 72 hours. Now perhaps it isn't the most noteworthy means of claiming fame but there are just some things that people do well and obviously Suresh Joachim knows what his particular talent is.

In order to make his record marathon Joachim claimed to have had between 25 and 30 cups of coffee. I can only imagine how his bladder was doing after all that. How does one even begin training for such a feat? I mean I know that food eating contest eaters (I can't call them athletes) practice binge eating on occasion in order to keep up the practice but how does a person intent on watching TV for so long get prepared? Probably by watching as much TV as he can and knowing what will keep him awake and what won't. In Joachim's case he reportedly watched three complete seasons of "24". It seems impossible but it's true.

Now although scientists and doctors keep coming and telling us how bad so much television is for us, there has been no diminishment in its appeal. And I think it would be safe to say that at least in the near term there won't be diminishment in it at all. I find it ironic that in that quest to escape from reality (which as I said is the reason that most people watch television) some of the most popular shows today are reality shows. I guess people find appeal in viewing someone else's reality as opposed to their own. But still. If Jedi-ism can become an accepted religion in England then why not a Television-ism religion in this country? Stranger things have happened.