This blog is based off an excerpt from the book "Television: The Plug-In Drug" written by Marie Winn. In this excerpt, Winn argues that the invention of television has been detrimental to society, diminishing family values and effecting the minds of our children. "...the medium has become so deeply ingrained in daily life that in many states the TV set has attained the rank of a legal necessity, safe from the repossession in case of debt along with clothes and cooking utensils," Winn begins, exemplifying the role that television plays in society today. She then leads to counter-argue her opinion, citing the words of experts. "“No survey’s needed, of course, to establish that television has brought the family together in one room,” Winn quotes from a New York Times article published in 1949. Winn's intention in establishing a counterargument so early on in the text is simple: she can instantly attack it, and continues to refute it throughout the course of the article.
While Winn makes solid arguments, she fails to take into consideration the role that technology as a whole has taken in society today. Sure, at one point, family bonding was a popular activity throughout American households. For my family at least, this continues to be true. However, families in the pre-television days had very limited forms of entertainment, so what else were they to do? I don't see how television has become a problem in society. Again, in reference to my own family, there's a TV in the living room, bonus room, and three bedrooms. Television usage is not a problem however, because we have self-control. On occasion, I'll have Criminal Minds or another Netflix show on in the background as I'm doing my homework, but in no way does television control or effect my life. Its simply another form of entertainment.
Winn, Marie. The Plug-in Drug. New York: Viking, 1977. Print.
While Winn makes solid arguments, she fails to take into consideration the role that technology as a whole has taken in society today. Sure, at one point, family bonding was a popular activity throughout American households. For my family at least, this continues to be true. However, families in the pre-television days had very limited forms of entertainment, so what else were they to do? I don't see how television has become a problem in society. Again, in reference to my own family, there's a TV in the living room, bonus room, and three bedrooms. Television usage is not a problem however, because we have self-control. On occasion, I'll have Criminal Minds or another Netflix show on in the background as I'm doing my homework, but in no way does television control or effect my life. Its simply another form of entertainment.
Winn, Marie. The Plug-in Drug. New York: Viking, 1977. Print.
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