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 By Judy Ramsook June 6, 2006 When this bit of technology was introduced to the public, people were ecstatic. No longer would they have to leave the comfort of their couch or recliner to walk the five feet or so between that piece of furniture and the television to switch channels, or adjust the volume or picture. The device? The television remote control. Being the convenient electronic addition that it is, it has made the particular past time of watching television even more enjoysble, but has it done something else as well? Has the remote control device made man, woman, and child more lazy? In addition, and since people who use the device no longer have to leave their chair to switch channels and so on, has it also made such persons more able to do other things while watching television as well? Many people in our midst do not pride themselves at being labeled this, but does the phrase ‘couch potato’ come to mind? Since people no longer have to get up and walk to the television to change channels or adjust the sound, do most of them just want to be in a constant state of immobility? If they do not have to walk to the television set to make any adjustments, why not arm themselves with their snacks or meals plus beverages for that matter so they would not have to get up and walk to the kitchen. When the writer of this article was growing up, she heard and read that walking is one of the better forms of exercise because when one walks, he or she exercises all the major muscles in the body. As she grew older and noticed how immobile people were becoming from excessive use of the television remote control, she wondered how amazing it is that such a device could be since it seemed to have hypnotised masses of people the world over. Yes, this bit of technology caught on fast because it was and still is today an exciting device. It tends to bring out the kid in adults as they fuss, change channels and so on with it. Most people have grown so accustomed to using it that if it is lost or missing, the owner of the item will search high and low until it is found. Who wants to walk to the television when they can press a few buttons on the device while sitting on their couch to change channels or adjust the picture? Have people been tired all along and were relieved when the television remote came along so when they sat down to relax, that is exactly what they were doing? Relaxing, with no fuss, no worry. Just press a button and the television set is on, press the channel up or down button and the viewer can reach his or her desired programme. Press the off button when one wants to no longer watch it and the television is in the off position. Maybe it is a gadget no one who has grown accustomed to using it wants to be without, but let’s face it, it has made each and every one of us, this writer included, a little lazy when it comes to the matter of watching television. ------------ About the author: Born and raised in the former British colony of Trinidad & Tobago, Judy Ramsook came to the US in the mid eighties where she attended San Antonio College and the University Of Texas At San Antonio. Since publishing her first book, Karen’s Adventure, she has written two more: one of which is a sequel to Karen’s Adventure but has not yet been published. The other one is currently in the process of being fine tuned. An excerpt from her first book, Karen’s Adventure can be viewed at www.publishedauthors.net/g2rdy Email: j2rdy@hotmail.com Comment on this article here! ------------ All articles are EXCLUSIVE to Useless-Knowledge.com and are not allowed to be posted on other websites. ARTICLE THIEVES WILL BE PROSECUTED! |
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