Views

It seemed totally weird.  I was assisting the cleaning of a joint yesterday and someone made a general comment about tv.  It was a joke and we laughed but I thought it was strange because I had been giving it some thought that morning.  Theirs was a general comment about no show in particular, and my thinking had been along that line too.
I had never thought this way before, but I started to wonder if much of what I view is like the way I feel about one particular show.  I reckon it contains some really good stuff.  About 5%.  The other 95% I consider rubbish.  Yet here I was willing to put up with the 95% for the 5% of good stuff.  I must say not any more though.  I made the decision several months ago that I was not going to watch the show for that reason.
It occurred to me yesterday that maybe most tv is like that.  It is no wonder people flick through what is more channels and programs than ever before and declare there is nothing on tv.
I was watching reporters and it hit me (not for the first time) how negative they were.  It seemed every question was designed to bring out the worst.  Maybe that is what sells tv space and newspapers and radio allegiances but if so it seems we are our own worst enemies.  Fear is the enemy of hope but if I feed on fear, I should not be surprised it results in fear.
There is no doubt there are times reporters bring to light what needs to be brought to light.  I could not help but wonder though if that is like the 5%.  They do do a service, but often it seems it is more a by-product that what is intended.
Most coverage makes me feel worse. (even live sport when the Bronco’s are playing these days.  I have a mate that picks his team to win even when it is close to the bottom of the table.  That to me is superstition.  When my team is performing badly then, unless I know something I reckon it is unrealistic and foolish to pick them to win.)
I could not believe what I was hearing yesterday.  Some people had been accused of something but exonerated.  The reporter questioned why they were back on the job.  To me an accusation does not prove guilt, but a guilty verdict proves guilt (there are exceptions but on the whole that is not the case).
What has all this got to do with anything?  It has just made me realize afresh how silly it is to form opinions based on what is conveyed in the media.  Deliverers of misinformation and sensationalism are not who I want to go to, to be informed.
Often what is said conveys a measure of truth, but it is just one side of the story.  Often a whole different perspective is where it is at.
I will continue to watch tv in a selective fashion.  There are some really good things.  I will be more selective though.  95% is a lot.