Is the TV becoming a 'bane' in the neck

Many a time I've heard adults describe someone or something as 'the bane of my life'. People who have experienced whatever it is one too many times over the years and, whether they are exaggerating or not, they see fit to exclaim that this 'bane' is in some way ruining their life.

In the past, I've never seen fit to use the expression myself. It has always made me smile.

I mean that has to be something big, if not mega, if it's to consume enough of your thoughts for you to compare it with the total length of time you have been alive.


Today, however, I finally worked out what the bane of my life may turn out to be - the television.


I'm not saying that TV is bad and should be made to face the wall - that would make it a radio - but I am coming to the conclusion it is the least uselful of my daily diversions.

For instance, when listening to music I always listen to the words and ideas, trying to understand what the writer's emotions and motives.

Then there's the Internet, which it could be said I waste an obscene amount of time on. However, after the daily news, sport and music websites have been checked, then the remainder of time online is usually spent chatting to friends, so there is a degree of sociability still present.

But with Television I have this nasty habit of getting up in the morning or coming home from work, flicking it on and getting on with cooking dinner or organising the evening.

Don't get me wrong, telly is great if used properly. An hour or so escaping in your favourite soap or drama, a documentary that may expand your knowledge or an update of worldy happenings are all valid uses.

After an hour or so, though, my mind goes into shutdown. I mean, in all honesty, I don't really care about who's eating in Tony Hutchinson's dodgy restaurant this week or who's sandwiches Ian Beale is spitting in.

Sure the pretty colours are nice to look at, and having somebody talking continually is very reassuring but all it provides are ready made thoughts, it doesn't stimulate your imagination, you ability to question or your concentration.


Basically, it makes you purely recactive, rather than proactive. And this must surely have a knock-on effect on everyday life.

Already, over the last few days, watching less television has seen my creative output increase significantly as I feel to a degree that I am literally 'waking up'. Ideas are flowing again and self-processed thoughts are cranking round my weary mind cogs.

Whether or not it television will be 'the bane of my life' is yet to be seen. But i'm coming to the conclusion that these so-called banes only take root if people allow them to and that you can actually avoid them in entirety by sticking to a strict regime of variety.

And maybe switching the telly off is a good place to start.