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Comment by kryten | Hacker News Reader

Spot on.

Another TV-free household here.

I had some of my daughter's friends over for a sleep over last year (ugh) and we had a 15-year old 26" Sony Trinitron CRT which I was ridiculed for by them as they all have massive plasma/LCD and 3D units.

For some strange reason I felt slightly guilty about this but after a discussion with the other half, we decided that this was the symptom of a problem with society rather than a problem with us and that it needed fixing.

Couple of days later, it went on the street with a sign taped on "Free TV". Within 10 minutes someone had taken it.

A year later, we all sleep better, we all communicate better and we are all a lot closer and we're also £150 a year better off (we have to pay TV license in the UK).

All it does is consume time and divide people.

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Out of interest, what do you do when you want to watch a film?

The way I see it, you either go to the cinema, whereupon you pay some outrageous sum to see a limited range of new releases (most of which are appalling in comparison to the body of classic film that exists), watch it on some cramped computer screen, or go to a friend's house and use their television.

None of these options appeal to me, and it's one of the main reasons I haven't acted on the "throw away your television" mantra.

I can't say I have wanted to watch a film yet. If it comes to it, I'll probably go to the cinema.

The TV "spot" in my living room is occupied by a nice computer monitor. When I want to watch a film I usually get it off iTunes (for subtitles, of course).

The smaller size (23") is offset by a sharper picture and colors compared to most TVs. I also love the lack of the bs "features" that TVs seem to be loaded with these days.

"watch it on some cramped computer screen"

Why is your computer screen cramped? My livelihood and several hobbies depend on my computer keyboard and screen, I've designed and decorated appropriately.

My experience with the whole "throw away your TV" thing is that it works better as an effect, not a cause. What I mean is I don't watch much TV. Its boring, all hyper formulaic, narrowcasted while I'm not the narrow audience, seen it all before to the point of being sick of it. Its also way too passive for my personality... I'm supposed to sit here and watch other people do stuff, for endless hours? No way, is not happening. Then the effect kicks in... Oh I'd like another tropical fish tank, maybe if I get rid of that thing I never use...

My wife and kids are somewhat addicted to TV so I'm stuck with it now.

Another TV-free household reporting in, here. When my family and I want to watch a movie, we do indeed cramp around my 17" laptop and watch it. Its quite comfortable, four of us on the couch, and the screen propped up properly in front of us. We all see it, we're all quite comfortable.

I feel I must define TV-free, though. We have iPads and other tablets, and ample computer resources throughout the house, where its not really fair to say we don't "do the vegetable video brainwash thing", because we do. Its just that its not per some broadcast schedule and we choose, entirely, what we want to watch instead of having it imposed upon us by a Programming Director.

We never pay for video, though. Maybe once in a few moons my wife and I might go to the cinema, but unless the movie is really good, we don't bother. I have absolutely no problem with the idea of bankrupting "Hollywood", which I see as a disastrous cult that must be de-funded. Both of us have sort of made up our mind that mainstream entertainment is mindlessly boring, and so we do try to get involved a little more in the process of discovering new things. We do pay for art where we know the author of it, or have a way to pay them directly without having a Brand engine in the way.

How much time now gets spent on desktop/laptop/smartphone per day per family member? Just curious if these numbers jump after the TV goes.

Very little. Kids and wife dont use computer at all. I use it for work and HN (currently HN whilst waiting for compiler!). We have one smartphone but it's rarely used unless commuting.

Good to hear. Sometimes I feel, in the "consume time and divide people" department, the Internet beats TV hands down.

Also it is one of those easy roads to take, as it keeps the kids fully occupied. So it's nice to see what you guys are doing. Keep it up!

I've heard of a few parents who have gone TV free but allow their kids phones, iPads and laptops for homework, etc. End result, they see less of their kids because they're all in their rooms watching streaming TV or videos. Results may vary of course

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