One of the most interesting forms of critique is the tete a tete whereby something presented on TV is critical of television.
The 1957 movie, "A Face In The Crowd", starring Andy Griffith puts a mirror up to TV's potential to influence. I found it amazing how the movie predicted everything from how sex (or the appeal) sells to why TV show producers push for (the case of Charlie Sheen notwithstanding) a morality clause to be included in the star's contract.
The actual face-to-face for TV is the co-dependent relationship it has with advertizing. If TV were around in the time of Jesus Christ, television would be John the Baptist saying to advertizers, 'You must increase and I must decrease'.
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The movie referenced points back to the dramatic origins of TV's sad plight at the hands of a groomed peacock. But, as Parker J. Palmer recalls from his father, "Just remember, Park, today's peacock is tomorrow's feather duster."
My recommendation is to use a feather duster on your unplugged TV. Don't look for a face in the crowd, but the one looking back at you. See the co-dependent person who can so easily be influenced by advertizing. See the person vulnerable to sex appeal. And see how the insidious transformation of television has transformed you as well from being someone who benefits to being yet another benefactor of the economy.
