Why isnt television used to make the world a better place instead of turning us into consume-happy idiots?

television stations are own by the very rich and powerful, and even the news we watch is dictated by the views of the few who own. television should be for recreation and not a promanate part of our daily lives

cause t.v is cool and and it save my life because 1 time i was about to get hit by a car and out of no where a tv hits me in the side of my stomache and pushes me and the tv blows up the car and i ended wit a coma for 4 day

There are such shows that do make the world a better place, but it is true there are more negative shows affecting the mind of all who watch. Let me ask you, do you think there is more good in the world than bad? If, so what will you do to help? Like Gandhi said, "Be the change in the world you would like to see happen". There are public access community television that allows people to make shows that can be done for the good. Mass media is owned by the rich, greedy and corrupt for the majority. Money is the root to evil and in the business of television captivation of the mind is the start to the soul. Be aware of the evils and ask what not television can do for you, but what you can do for television! I know, it's a knock off of JFK, but it's a great saying. People must find the paradigms in what is an excellent show, thus an excellent person. There is no perfect answer, it's all relative. Can't wait to get a wide-screen plasma or HDTV, SV

It's all about the money. Whatever gets the ratings gets the advertising dollars. While I agree with you, the sad truth is the majority of people want something other than morally educational entertainment.

Because we'd never watch it if it was all decent, educational, and useful. Because TV is an easy escape from day to day problems & stresses. Human nature is such that it's tempting to want to lose oneself in TV than deal with real people, social situations, or thinking. In a way it's a kind of addiction. Reminding people there is a life away from the TV or the video games isn't enough. And our American culture does tend to reward laziness and selfishness, so we're not even teaching the kids better habits.

cool

MONEY

I think you thoughts on this is very profound. I myself read this and thought that I am one of those happy idiots that you are speaking of. I get so caught up with working a full time job and being a full time single parent that I enjoy jumping out of my reality and into someone Else's in a movie. On the other hand I don't allow my children much time on the boob tube unless it is educational. I don't need their reality any more distorted than it will already be growing up in today's society.

Well, People are into R-A-T-I-N-G-S!! They don't care if people become idiots, just as long as they're getting paid. That's another reason for why the obesity rate in America is enormous, LITERALLY! People are addicted to TV, and until we run of of fossil fuels, it will stay that way.