Balls and Walnuts
more than you ever wanted to know
When did that happen?
We only use one TV, Karen’s big flat screen TV which we keep in the master bedroom; and the only time Jake ever watches TV is either (A) when Mythbusters is on, (B) there’s some educational program Karen wants him to watch, or (C) there’s something on MSNBC or Comedy Central appealing enough to pull him away from the internet.
Last night, Countdown had footage of four lion cubs, so we hollered out for Jake to come see (since he’s a feline fanatic). Karen was brushing her teeth or some such and when she came out, she and Jake were briefly standing side by side. And good lord, he’s almost as tall as she is!
You always hear people say, “Enjoy them when they’re young, it’s over faster than you think,” but it’s stuff like this which drives it home.
Off topic, but: I asked him if he would mind if we sold the downstairs TV. It weighs a ton and we rarely use it. Correction: I’m the only one who uses it, and I think I’ve watched it three times in the last six months. It’s ridiculous to keep shlepping it around with every move.
It used to be Jake’s playroom TV, but if I remember correctly he stopped watching videotapes about the time we bought it. He’d watch his old Battlebots tapes, and that’s about it. He doesn’t even do that anymore.
So I think I have a name for his generation: it should be called the post-TV generation. I guess you might call it the internet generation, but so many of us are internet-fixated, the label is too general. But my generation grew up with TV-as-babysitter, and TV as primary source of entertainment all through my childhood and teenage years. I suspect many of today’s kids are weaned from TV and hooked on the net by the time they reach their 7th or 8th birthdays. Maybe sooner.
I think this is a good thing. The net is far more interactive, and, I would argue, challenging. If you don’t believe me, check out Closure, an odd black-and-white game which requires a great deal of outside-the-box thinking. I bogged down on level four; Jake finished it. (Oh, and yesterday he played a net game in which the goal was to psychoanalyze and cure various neurotic animals. He cured the sheep straight away, but the turtle was very troubled indeed.)
D.
i disagree with you, and absolutely HATE that kids that are under the age of ten have EMAIL ADDRESSES. wtf do they need to email about? and i HATED seeing my young cousins run down the stairs in the morning to log on to some game or another, when they have a whole playroom full of board games and toys. if I have my way, my kids won’t touch the internet or computer games until they’re at least 10 (with very few exceptions, such as if they’re sitting on my lap while i do things, or if there is some specific game i find worthwhile). i may have to send them to a waldorf school or something to avoid it, but we’ll see how life works out. I just know i’d rather have them sitting in front of PBS, talking to me about what is going on on Sesame Street, or being entranced by the magic of Beauty and the Beast, than staring at a computer game and ignoring the world around them.
Shainy, you’re a hardass. 🙂 I happen to think that inventive, interesting games like the one Douglas referenced are better than most TV. Some TV is good. But interactive, thinking games are better. IMO.
Hey Doug, what was the game to psychoanalyze and cure neurotic animals. That one sounds like a hoot. I would like to maybe even play that one, if the rules are simple.
The Asylum.
Shaina, what Dean said. Yah!
Jake wants me to correct the post. He has not yet finished Closure; he’s on level 27 (out of 30).
I am in your camp – with the crap that’s on TV today I think it is better that kids are interacting with the internet. In our day the cartoons were somewhat more intellectual and had classical music in the background at least!
Am finally catching up over here – just read about 15 of your last posts. Loved the banned commercials! Hope you have luck with those job interviews.
I second wanting the psychoanalyze website.
Did you happen to catch America’s Funniest Videos this weekend? They had an all animal special and a really amazing video of a rabbit harassing the shit out of a snake. Oh wait, you don’t watch TV.
M
All of us internet junkies could probably use a lot more face time – infinitely more satisfying than the internet or tv or telephone or whatever electronic communication.
Mauigirl: always eager to please 😉
M: it’s linked above (my last comment — click on “Asylum”)
And I do so watch TV, but would NOT have liked to see a snake abused by a rabbit. It’s against nature!
Lucie, agreed, wholeheartedly.