The freedom to change the channel

I grew up when television was relatively new. My first memories concerning television was watching cartoons on our black and white television built into a blonde wood cabinet with the speaker and two knobs (one to turn it on/off and adjust volume, and the other to change channels) on the front of the cabinet, under the tube.

We had three channels we could get over the airwaves: ABC, CBS and NBC. Cable didn’t come about until I was in my 20s. Meanwhile, the TV signal was received by the rabbit-ear antenna coming out of the back of the TV. We had to wiggle the position of the antenna to get the picture to come in clear. We tried the flags of aluminum foil and balls of foil crumpled around each antenna to augment the signal. Sometimes one of us kids holding the antenna at a certain angle was the key. Us kids were also the channel changer. Later, Dad put a big antenna on the roof, and that was an immeasurable improvement in the general quality of life in our home.

I was out of high school when the remote control, the infrared one we’re familiar with, came along. It was a novelty at first but quickly became a necessity. Family fights would break out on who had control of the remote. And, the family lost its collective minds when the remote was lost. OMG! The world came to a screeching halt (literally, there was a lot of screeching) until it was located. A search would ensue, the couch and chairs were probed. Interrogations with vicious accusations were conducted. There should have been a reality show built around lost TV remotes.

With just three channels, we still argued which show to watch. Some shows you just didn’t miss. For me, my favorite was Robert Conrad’s hour long “Wild Wild West” on Friday nights. After “my show” I’d head outside to play tag or whatever game the neighborhood kids were playing. Later, it was “Star Trek,” with bedtime right after. A lot of jockeying and trading was done over what programming was viewed in our home. Like most families at the time, we had one TV.

Today, there’s cable, streaming channels (free and subscription based), YouTube, internet. We have flat screen LED TVs (often several in a home), computers, tablets and phones to watch video content. Say it with me: “Cat. Videos. All. Day. Long.” Seriously, there are thousands of choices. So, when people complain about Jimmy Kimmel, Stephen Cobert or SNL, I’m thinking to myself: “Just change the channel.” If you don’t like what you’re viewing and continue to watch it -- that’s on you. If you’re offended by what’s coming at you through the screen, change the channel. Or better yet, turn it off.  

Go outside. Take a walk. Reconnect with Mother Earth. Play a board game with your kids, your grandkids. Go have coffee with your neighbor. Read a book. Do a crossword puzzle. Find a hobby (I have several). Stop ingesting your diet of perceived negativity and engage in something you enjoy. Give your mind a break.

At the very least, change the channel. The remote is right there. Do it. Just do it.