Questioning the Media Chapter 6

1. How many cable channels do you watch regularly? What programs do you watch? What attracts you to a certain channel?

The only cable channel that I normally watch is ABC family, for some enjoyable shows. When I am at home with my family, I watch the golf channel with my dad, and some of the talk show channels with with Mom. I enjoy watching ABC family because there are shows that I do not have to think about what is going on intensely, but rather just enjoying a show that is laid back. More that likely the shows that I watch, are more than likely not watched by many college students, but I enjoy watching them. In my dorm room, the television stays off most of the time, unless I just want to curl up in my bed and watch something.

5. Do you think DBS (Digital Broadcasting Satellite) is an equal competitor to cable? Why or why not?

I do not think that the Digital Broadcasting Satellite is an equal competitor to cable because cable had its own strong time at one point. And now it is Digital Satellites turn to be the big and new thing. Cable television was invented and was the new intervention and everyone enjoyed it, but then as time rolled around other inventors learned how to have digital satellites project television shows to individual homes. As I was growing up I remember having cable television and now as I have gotten older it is all digital satellites.

6. Some critics argue that citizens no longer participate in traditional neighborhood activities and that cable has played a role in fragmenting society, keeping us in our homes. Do you agree or disagree? What has cable done well, and in what ways has it adversely affected society?

I do think that cable and digital television shows have played a big role in traditional neighborhood activities. The television is keeping people inside and are coming less active. I think it is a bad thing, and that there should be a time during every day that the television does not run any time of television shows. It should be a time that families, parents, children, neighborhoods, and such join together to be active and do something that does not include sitting in front of a television screen and watching a show or movie. Cable and digital has hurt the population and taught children and young adults that you do not have to be active to look good, you can also just not eat, which is extremely unhealthy. I believe that the television has hurt the citizens and I am pretty sure that is why I do not watch much television.