The opiate of the masses
Here's another interesting piece by James Raven at The Psychotic Patriot, concerning the physically addictive - and, therefore, manipulatively effective - nature of television viewing. Mr. Raven notes:
Reading and writing use the left brain. Linear, logical, rational. Watching the tube does the exact opposite; it turns off the left brain and turns on the right brain. Endorphins released during the switch are structurally identical to opium.I've often felt that watching FOX News is strikingly similar to a bad acid flashback. Now I know why.
posted by Bob P @ 3:25 PM
3 Comments:
If television is physically addictive, then so is everything that’s enjoyable. By definition, all pleasurable experiences stimulate the brain’s pleasure centers. I’m not worried about the psychoactive effects of television, but I am worried about needless restrictions on our pleasures inspired by irrational fears about what’s happening inside our skulls. If you don’t share my worry, please read this article.
The point of the post wasn't to carve out and discuss a single addictive situation is a sea of generality; it was to point out the quick dimnuition of the left, logical, rational, side of the brain in favor of the emotional, easily led side of the brain. I agree with the commenter, I'm just not a fan of generalization, the best addict's tool.
The Psychotic Patriot
Well, all pleasures are pleasurably...but they can be judged for their worthiness as well. Cocaine is pleasurable...but so is a fine glass of wine, and we can judge which of the two pleasures is superior to the other. Television essentially turns off the brain as it rarely requires the level of thinking of even the easiest to read books. I avoid it for the most part, though I do think it's a guilty pleasure to be indulged in from time to time...and sports don't count!
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