Watch. Sleep. Repeat.

There's no denying that there's a lot of garbage on television these days.  Networks run hours upon hours of shows that no one actually desires to watch.  And I say desire because it's true, no one does desire to wacth them.  Before mindless reality shows were plaguing prime-time no one was saying, "Hey, you know what?  I really wish there was a show where people competed to marry a bachelor!"  No one was yearning for such shows to be made.  There were no cries, no protests.  And yet, we watch.

We watch because "it's on" or "it's 'entertaining" or "there's nothing better on."  No one watches because they really desire to, at least not the first time.  Of course the sensation of addiction kicks in after a viewing or two, that's the point of television.  Producers don't make shows that you'll watch once and never turn on again.  They want you to watch the first episode, then come back every succeeding episode.  That's the point.  That's how they make money.

There are shows people watch because they desire to though.  There are shows with truly interesting and intricate plots, with developed characters, and merit.  There are shows that do more than just entertain.  They make you think.  They make you laugh, they make you cry.  They get you excited, or they make you scared.  They create emotions that in totality make life just a little bit better.

There are shows that teach or inform.  There are entire channels dedicated to infusing the mind with knowledge.  The news and a broad spectrum documentary style shows fall into this category.  This kind of television sticks with you.  It's not just a series of passing frames that'll be gone once the thirty minutes or hour is up.  It lasts.  What kind of feeling do you have after watching a reality show?  A brief entertained sensation?  Maybe even some satisfaction.  But what do you feel after watching a scripted show or informative show?  Enlightenment.  Edification.  Content.  The ultimate utility of watching a scripted show or informative show is infinitely greater than that of a reality show.

Whenever you sit down and turn on a reality show just take the time to think for a second about what you're doing.  You're spending time, which you will never get back, to keep yourself mildly entertained.  What are you ultimately accomplishing?  How are you bettering your life?  You will never get that half-hour of your life back.  Ever.  And you're spending it watching crackwhores fight over a washed up rap artist.  Do something you care about instead.  Something that really makes you happy, that you really enjoy.  Something that you think about when you're not doing it.  

Read.  Draw.  Talk.  Exercise.  Eat.  Write.  Walk.  Drive.  Play.  Laugh.  Sing.  Anything.

But for God's sake, don't watch that filth, because we all know ten years from now they'll find out it causes cancer.  Or at least stupidity.