It is unarguable that television has had considerable impact and changed the world in which we live. However there is a debate whether that change has been for the better or worse, when we consider cultural development. While there are certainly strong feelings on both sides of argument in Western Europe. My own view is that television has had a largely positive influence on our society.
There are, however, several reasons why it can be argued that television has a negative effect on cultural development. Perhaps the principal argument is the lowbrow nature of any programmes, particularly sitcoms and soap operas. People who watch these programmes do not learn anything, they are simply entertained. The other major argument is that because people watch so much television, they no longer take part in more traditional forms of cultural entertainment. An example here is how traditional dancing and music is becoming much less popular because people are staying at home to watch the television.
On the other hand, there are a variety of ways in which cultural development has been assistant by television. Here the major argument is that television has allowed the whole of society access to cultural entertainment. For example, in the nineteenth century, only a small population of people could go to the ballet or the theater. However, it is now possible for everyone to enjoy these on television. As second positive effect is that on television we can learn more about other cultures and societies because there are so many interesting documentaries about other countries.
My personal conclusion is that television is a largely positive influence. However, it is important that we do not watch it too much and that we watch the right sort of programme. If we watch the wrong sort of programme and watch too much television, we may become couch potatoes.
It is unarguable that
television
has had considerable impact and
changed
the world in which we
live
.
However
there is a debate whether that
change
has been for the better or worse, when we consider
cultural
development. While there are
certainly
strong feelings on both sides of
argument
in Western Europe. My
own
view is that
television
has had a
largely
positive
influence on our society.
There are,
however
, several reasons why it can
be argued
that
television
has a
negative
effect on
cultural
development. Perhaps the principal
argument
is the lowbrow nature of any
programmes
,
particularly
sitcoms and soap operas.
People
who
watch
these
programmes
do not learn anything, they are
simply
entertained. The
other
major
argument
is that
because
people
watch
so
much
television
, they no longer
take part
in more traditional forms of
cultural
entertainment. An example here is how traditional dancing and music is becoming
much
less popular
because
people
are staying at home to
watch
the television.
On the
other
hand, there are a variety of ways in which
cultural
development has been assistant by
television
. Here the major
argument
is that
television
has
allowed
the whole of society access to
cultural
entertainment.
For example
, in the nineteenth century,
only
a
small
population of
people
could go to the ballet or the theater.
However
, it is
now
possible for everyone to enjoy these on
television
. As second
positive
effect is that on
television
we can learn more about
other
cultures and societies
because
there are
so
many
interesting documentaries about
other
countries.
My personal conclusion is that
television
is a
largely
positive
influence.
However
, it is
important
that we do not
watch
it too
much
and that we
watch
the right sort of
programme
. If we
watch
the
wrong
sort of
programme
and
watch
too
much
television
, we may become couch potatoes.