There are so many ways to get movies and shows nowadays. Including Netflix, On Demand, Redbox, Hulu, Amazon, Torch.net, etc. I'm not really sure how to feel about all of them. On one hand, it's nice to have affordable access to entertainment. Better still, in the comfort of your own home. You can have a never-ending bowl of popcorn and as many drinks as as you want because your DVD player makes it possible to push pause anytime.
On the other hand however, isn't this contributing to obesity and detachment from socializing? We have an awful trend in America right now with obesity. More than one third(35.7%) of US adults are obese. And 40% of college students state that the internet is more important than dating or going out with friends. These "outreach" companies with movies making it easier to stay in, eat more for less, and interact with a TV screen isn't helping. Was it really that big of a deal to rent a movie at the store? Picking out a movie as a family without 5 people staring at your selection and sighing impatiently while you return your movie from last night and rent another is something that is fleeting quickly. Who are we to tell America they can't have convenience? No one really. Just my opinion. I'd be lying if I said I didn't use these services. But it's a two-sided coin. You have to find that fine balance between convenience and laziness. I myself never minded going to the store and choosing out a movie with my mom and sisters. The only thing that was a pain sometimes was remembering to take it back. Short of that, it was fun. We'd go out, pick a movie, maybe we'd grab some candy, then head home for a movie night at home.
I guess I'm half and half. I like the convenience of being able to rent a movie. But I guess I don't think the extinction of video stores was necessary either.
http://www.eaglenews.org/study-shows-internet-is-replacing-real-social-interaction-1.2645627
http://www.cdc.gov/obesity/data/adult.html
I never thought about the effects these services have on our society's health! Scary statistics but good point!
ReplyDeleteI never thought of that as well good point!!
ReplyDeleteYou make an amazing point! I wonder how many other things are also associated with the increased obesity of the US.
ReplyDeleteYou have hit on a topic that has crossed my mind many times in the past few years and I am glad i'm not the only person thinking about it.
Convenience and laziness can often turn into laziness and people get to comfortable with conveniences that come so cheaply and easily to them with little to no effort. But, I do have to say that digital media isn't completely a cause of this. What do you think?
I never thought about it like that, but now that you mention it it seems so obvious. I am all for some modern conveniences, but sometimes things are a little too convenient. I have always been a fan of Redbox just because I don't want to spend a bunch of money and they always have promo codes to get free movies which is always good!
ReplyDeleteWow Mandy, you put a new spin on the concept. Thanks for the insight.
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