Are You Ruled By Your T.V.?

Studies shown that too much television causes marked memory
loss. France has banned French T.V. channels from airing pro-
gramming aimed at children younger than three years of age.
And, in the U.S., more and more reality shows with little or no
content come out every season. What ever happened to reading
a good book?

By Keith Shaw

Copyright (c) 2008 Mind Body Spirit Central, LLC

In a recent program on National Public Radio, Robert F.
Kennedy, Jr. talked about how in the U.S., the public knows
more about “events” like the results of “American Idol” (on
the 10 or 11 p.m. news!) and celebrity “news gossip” (insert
name of celebrity here) than they do about public and social
concerns, not only those in the U.S. but also around the world.

In fact, the U.S. major “news” outlets (e.g., C.N.N., MSNBC,
Fox) spend more airtime recycling and regurgitating the celeb-
rity “news” that they do on any other story (e.g., Paris Hilton’s
jail woes in 2007). And, more and more reality shows with little
or no content come out every season…

Yes, it is the “dumbing” down of the U.S. public.

This phenomenon is not limited to the United States. Studies in Aus-
tralia have also shown that too much television causes marked memory
loss. The researchers believe that passive television viewing does not
intellectually stimulate the brain or mind. In fact, most shows do not
stimulate critical thinking.

And, on 21 August 2008, in a report by Christine Ollivier of the Asso-
ciated Press, France (yes the country) has banned French T.V.
channels from airing programming aimed at children younger than
three years of age. For foreign programs that are offered on cable,
a warning message will be broadcast at the beginning of each show!
(wow, just like a package of cigarettes!) Health experts have stated
that “Television viewing hurts the development of children under
three years old. Risks include slow language acquisition and develop-
ment, over-excitedness, troubles with CONCENTRATION and more”.

Yet, children continue to spend on average up to 4 hours per day
watching television according to the American Academy of Pediatrics.
In comparison, they spend on average ONLY 2 hours and 14 minutes
PER WEEK studying and doing school work (USA Today Weekend
Magazine).

What’s more, children who watch too much television are more
likely to be overweight and obese. And if your child watches 3 to 4
hours of television per day, he will have seen about 8,000 murders
(!) on T.V. by the time he finishes grade school. In comparison, the
average American adult watches nearly five hours of television per
day (A.C. Nielsen).

And, obesity is on the rise in adults as well. According to the CDC,
only four states (Colorado, Hawaii, Connecticut and Vermont) had
obesity prevalence rates below 20 percent, while 17 states had pre-
valence rates equal to or above 25 percent. In a recent BBC America
program on health and wellness, in the U.K. obesity is approaching
25% of the population.

So what can you do? Well...turn off the television and begin to use
tools that can develop your mind in a positive and productive manner!
And, the good news is that there are many great self-improvement
systems in print that have content on how your can develop your
mental powers of concentration, thinking and more. In addition, there
are many that give you the strategies to improve your positive, quality
INTERPERSONAL (i.e., face-to-face) communication with others, that
can lead to wealth, prosperity and abundance in your life. In fact, if you
look at many successful people today, you will see that they are master
communicators.

In addition, look for resources that show you how know to use the tools
of consciousness and wisdom to find the spiritual power within you.
The goal of which is to become less focused on “the Self” and more
focused on the truth that will lead you to happiness. Communication
with others will be improved, and the doors to a life of abundance will
open for you.

MOTIVATE yourself and take time to develop your mind and spirit.
Turn off the television. And even take some time away from the iPod
and Blackberry. Put them aside. Don’t worry, they will still be there
waiting for you.

Every action you take defines your life. Wake up, become aware and
take action today to make your mind “sharp as a tack”.

Keith A. Shaw, President of http://www.MindBodySpiritCentral.com .
Headquartered in Mount Laurel, New Jersey, He is the author and
creator of "The Power Of Thought", and "The Power Of Concentra-
tion" Motivation and Success Systems, along with "The Power Of
Serenity And Peace" Spirituality and Happiness System.

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