My Life without a TV

I don't watch any television. In fact, I don't even own a TV. "What? You don't have a TV?" is the reaction I usually get from others. "Do you live in the 18th century?" "I think you are living in a black hole without contact with the outside world." are some of the harsher remarks I have received. Well, I am used to being judged as an abnormal person just because I don't watch TV. Sure, I have missed out on a lot of exciting conversations about TV programs. But do I care?

Perhaps in Sweden, a highly homogenous society, I am considered more of an anomoly. In New York, at least, I knew many people who consciously chose not to own a TV set. For me, living without a TV is a conscious choice. It has been since 1999. The peace and quiet I have gotten is priceless. Of course, there are many good programs on TV. But weighing the negative influence of TV commercials and of the mindless flipping habit, I decided that I could do without this talking aparatus. Instead, I seek contact with the outside world through the Internet, where I can participate in an active way. And if I want to watch a good movie, there is always the corner video store at my service.

Over the years, I don't know how much money I have saved by not subscribing to network television. And in Sweden, I get to even save on the mandatory "TV avgift" -- a ridiculous TV fee (156 SEK/month) collected to support the public television networks and radio, which are, surprisingly, not commercial-free. And have I really missed anything that I shouldn't have?