We're over half-way through our 13 week study!
How much TV do you watch? Be honest now, and count your Hulu, Netflex and ABC.com time, too. If you're an average American, you watch about five hours a day. Seventy percent of us consume television programming on hand-held devices (iPads, tablets) or smart phones or computers screens in addition to our flat-screen TVs.
Television executive Lauren Zalaznick, after spending time in the industry, embarked on a study to determine how closely television follows our national collective consciousness. In this TED talk, she shares her methods and results.
Points to Ponder:
- Is television the reflection of our national conscience or is this just 'what the people want to see' with a few interesting coincidences?
- Which charts speak to you or gave you an 'aha' or 'of course' moment? (if any)
- Did anything stand out or surprise you?
- Do you agree with the list of mothers?
- What shows do you think are most popular with our student demographic and what might that say about their social, political, moral and emotional states?
- Last week's top five rated shows according to Nielson ratings:
- America's Got Talent, Tuesday Night
- America's Got Talent, Monday Night
- NCIS
- 60 Minutes and The Big Bang Theory (tied)
- NCIS Los Angeles
- Do you see a trend or can you infer anything about what's going on in our emotional, political or social state that would connect to these shows?
I guess I am really below average because I do not watch ANY TV. In fact, I don't know how I ever watched TV or made time for it because I sure do not have any extra time to even think, "gee, I wish I had TV."
ReplyDeleteTV, like any art form, reflects its time so these findings are not surprising to me. I realize that I saw a lot more TV when I was growing up than I remember because the shows from the 60's and 70's are familiar to me while I have no idea who the latest "mom" is.
Not having TV puts me out of touch with some of my students when they make reference to a particular show but I do not need to watch TV to understand where the social and moral conscience of our culture rests. It is impossible to avoid unless you are really living in a cave.
I don't know what NCIS stands for so I guess the list is not one I can fully evaluate. TV is like junk food to me, I avoid it even though I know that it is highly popular and addictive to many.
I do think that studying what has been popular, and analyzing why, is an interesting sociological investigation. For example, I think it would be interesting to do a focused study on cartoon programs over the same time period to see what the parameters reveal, if anything.
For now, however, I plan to continue to opt out of exposure to TV. Life is too short and my list of priorities does not have room for it in this lifetime.
I think television is a reflection of our national conscience because it is often slow to react to what we as a nation are looking for. Shows are contracted and scheduled in advance, not as needed so it's difficult for networks to change course quickly. Many shows overstay their welcome and fade out long before they are supposed to and get replaced by what people want to see (i.e. soap operas).
ReplyDeleteI found it interesting how reality tv has had an influence over the last 20 years. I tend to stay away from judgment and struggle to watch those shows but know so many people who watch either to judge. Many people watch because what happens is so outrageous or out of touch, it makes them feel more normal.
I know many students like the shows that are reflective of their age and perceived "drama". I also think they like looking at beautiful people. All of those point to reality shows that invite judgment and showcase beautiful people. This usually means they are not seeking out political or moral conversations as much as they are looking for a social diversion.
I do think the NCIS series and similar shows are watched because there is an element of "getting the bad guy" which has been a constant conversation ever since 9/11. With America's Got Talent, I think people like seeing their neighbors/friends/relatives compete on a national stage. The ability for the viewers to vote connects them more than other shows and the drama involved in each round intensifies. It also allows for some judgment and chance to support someone with whom they connect.
I don't currently own a working TV (I have an old one from the 80's I want to turn into a fish tank), but when I visit my parents’ house I know it is constantly on in the background. It drives me crazy because I am easily distracted by it and find myself splitting my attention between it and whatever conversation I'm having, but heaven forbid if I turn it off.
ReplyDeleteNot surprising TV reflects national conscience. Goya's transition from Rococo to depictions of the Spanish Civil War comes to mind, or how about a comparison of the music from the 50's to the music of the 60's. TV is just another part of the social conscience reflected in all the arts.
I think America's Got Talent is popular because it also (along with the reasons Tom gives above) gives the viewer a sense that they too can make it big. Reality shows aren't just about judgment, the participants are regular people. The person watching the program could be a contestant next season.
I love TV. Love it. I am not ashamed to admit that the day I got my DVR was one of the happiest days I've had. I watch reality TV shows. I can talk about the women like they are my good friends. My mother is ashamed for me. Haha! However, I also read books like it is going out of style. Sure, some are trashy romance novels....hello, Christin Grey. However, some are biographies of former presidents. My point is that just because someone watches TV doesn't mean they are uneducated or lazy.
ReplyDeleteThis talk made me think about the differences in TV I watched growing up compared to what my son watches today. I was a diehard Dukes of Hazzard fan. The good guys always won. The bad guys always went to jail. I watched Different Stokes, The Facts of Life, Family Ties and even the A-Team. Looking back, you can see that the dysfunctional/non-traditional family was just breaking into the social culture. However, the problems were all still solved at the end of 30 minutes or an hour. Kinnick loves Power Rangers. The good guys still win and the bad guys go back to their home planets. He is also sure to tune into whatever Disney has going on. But, he also loves America's Next Ninja or something like that. It shows men trying to dominate an obstacle course to win a competition. This show, at least, allows us to discuss the qualities of goal setting, hard work and dealing with disappointment. The interesting thing is, most of the problems are still worked out in 30 minutes. There are more diverse characters and more families that aren't "traditional" but things still work out for the best.
And while that isn't how life works, it gives me hope. It makes me think that most people who watch TV are hopeful. They want the kids to learn a lesson and the parents to be respected. They want the bad guys to go to jail and the good guys to win. I think the format may have changed to reflect what is going on in our culture, but the message has remained.
The other good side of TV is there are many more options now. Animal Planet allows my son to learn about cool creatures and visit places in the world he most likely won't travel to. The food shows make him interested in cooking and that is something we can do together. The variety of ESPN networks allow us to watch sporting events that encourage him to practice and work hard. I think it is easy to bash TV and condemn parents who allow their kids to watch it but there are upsides to everything. Moderation......
TV just like our computers and cell phones are part of our culture which means if we strive to be culturally aware it is helpful to have some knowledge. While I don't watch many top 10 TV shows I do spend time watching Netflix and other programs on the computer (so I'm getting my hours in). Because of this I can not partake in discussions of who should be "voted off", etc. Not a huge problem for me at my advanced age but think of teenagers who are trying to fit in.
ReplyDeleteI love the variety of TV but I also like the fact it can be turned off. As Kylee says.....moderation.
The first thought that came to mind for me wasn’t so much whether TV is a reflection of our national conscience, but what really comes first...the chicken or the egg? The producers want a show that is successful, but is that based more on what the market is demanding, or to create something unique with staying power?
ReplyDeleteI think what she says is mostly accurate, though it relies a lot on stereotyping of particular eras. There is a lot of diversity among the public at any time, and that's important to remember. Not everyone experienced the Kennedy assassination, or the Vietnam war, or 9/11 the same way. Pollsters and pundits were shocked in 1972, for example, to find that the majority of young voters preferred Nixon over McGovern.
ReplyDeleteDoes television reflect our national mood, or at least the mood of the mainstream? If the producers and executives know what they're doing it does. But I expect that's true of any social institution, including politics, the church, the economic marketplace, and the education system, and maybe even the family (imprecise though it be to talk about "the" family). People as a whole watch too many screens, but mass media aren't unique, or even special, in the regard she claims.
Like Susan, I don't watch TV much. Really, probably 0-2 hours a WEEK, and only 2 when Masterpiece Theatre appeals to me--like Downton Abbey! So this is a tricky TED talk to respond to.
ReplyDeleteI had the same question Teresa did when I finished watching. I wondered what was the cause and what was the effect in her data. Was she saying that TV affects the way we view the world, or that we choose TV shows according to how the world makes us feel? Tom has a point that TV sometimes seems behind the times as it takes a while to get a show going.
I wonder, too, how long something like TV will continue to be an important force in pop culture when we have things like YouTube and other means of entertainment. In fact, I wondered what year this TED came out because the presenter never talked about the internet and how it is affecting TV viewing (and conscience-building).
I too am below average in the amount of TV I watch, although it depends on the time of year. In the dead of winter when there is not much else to do on a given frosty evening I watch alot of TV. I found her charts interesting. Anytime I see statistics especailly from someone who has a stake in the outcomes, I question how the outcomes of the survey actually were interpreted and displayed. Like her chart for the relation between unemployment and fantasy. She only took it to 1990. What happened after that? I think her chart on the comparison of social commentary, comfort and irreverance was not surprising. TV MOM's---never thought of Alexis Carrrington as a role model for a mom and if the last one (Brie Vanderkamp???) is supposed to be what motherhood is about now, we need more help than I thought. Haven't really talked to my students much about TV. We are more likely to talk about the last movie they saw or book they read. Hunger Games hit the top of the list this year.
ReplyDeleteI think that I'm somewhere in the middle on TV average. While I certainly don't watch 5 hours a day, which not having cable helps with, I do watch something while working out every day, so that probably qualifies me a regular TV watcher. And I agree with Bruce that I'm unsurprised that range of TV programming, at least on network TV, reflects the mood of an era. I do think it's important to make the distinction now between network and cable, as most cable channels are part of a brand that are unlikely to change their line-up much, no matter the mood of the period.
ReplyDeleteI don't own a TV, but I do have a job that involves looking at the computer screen for more than 5 hours a day. Perhaps that is the new TV.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Bruce about stereotyping and diversity. Remember in the bad-old-days of network TV, there really were only a few choices for what to watch. Taking those few choices as the data for the national conscience doesn't seem quite right.
I have the same question as Teresa and others, as I wasn't clear on which was the cause/effect in the talk....
I liked the zooming powerpoint graphs; she has skills!
(I don't know where this moniker came from.) I'm not crazy about being reminded how much out of the loop I am. My viewing is likely in the 3 to 10 hours a week range. I had to Google Bree Van de Kamp to find out who she is. I have no clue about most TV "celebrities".
ReplyDeleteI'm an advocate for active living and exercise - sound body / sound mind. TV is largely sedentary. I carve out time for Daily Show. Only Modern Family in popular TV catches my attention and loyalty. I think it reflects important themes with which our society wrestles.
Reality TV is such an oxymoron. As an educator who finds constructivist learning theory compelling, I think you can account for the talent show voting programs by recognizing the importance of active participation. Viewers may still be sedentary, but they engage and respond personally. That's good.
I also carve out time for Bill Moyers. He digs deeply into important public policy issues. For most of my news I depend on NPR. My time with it is easily 3 to 6 times as much as my television viewing.
Most TV news is truly garbage. Fox "news" is very likely the largest scourge on our collective consciousness that exists - Poisoning America one bias at a time. Again, it fosters a personal engagement that is compelling. I resent its manipulative, blame-stream approach.
I miss All in the Family, Laugh-In, Mary Tyler Moore, I Love Lucy. I don't really crave a simpler world. But I have a hard time seeing how most of television is doing anything good for us.
Lots of evidence suggests TV's importance is waning. With DVRs and other devices for screening out commercials, as well as competition from streaming media, maybe the networks are on their way out. Only HBO really has the revenue stream to support relatively consistent high quality production.
Where it provides intellectual stimulation, TV is good. Game shows and mysteries invite cognitive engagement. And escapism is not all bad. Some diversion and relaxation deserves to be celebrated.
And now ... Back to something more substantial for me I hope.
I never really thought about why I watch the shows I watch. I think cable TV has changed viewing habits. I watch HGTV and Fit and Health TV the most. I could grout a bathroom floor or perform surgery, neither of which has to do with social conscience. I enjoy Frontline and POV which expand my knowledge of people and their motivations.
ReplyDeleteI remember having a disagreement with a friend when the Simpsons first came out. I was studying to be a teacher and had young children at the time. He argued that the show was just a reflection of society. I argued that it impacted on society by young people thinking is cool to be rude and disrespectful of authority. My wife and I did not let our children watch the show. A few years later he brought it back up as he was beginning his family. His attitude had changed.
ReplyDeleteI have pretty much relegated TV to back ground noise and do not watch any current shows other than news I do watch some reruns but have no idea who two of the woman in the picture are. I am not very knowledgeable on current pop culture but I wonder if the writers are continually pushing the envelope and the kids in school are continually quoting or repeating what they see on TV. Is it this unplanned symbiotic relationship that is moving what society will accept as appropriate? I do not believe a group is consciously trying to change anything but the effect is some kind of synergy that is changing society at a pace that we can “see” it happening.
As for most of my TV watching I usually have it on while participating in a reality show I call “my life”. It is possible that I just have too much ADD to watch other people do anything. For example his weekend I had a news channel on while I ran in and out installing new windows in my basement.
Bsck in the 50's, early 60's watching TV was social. My grandparents had a TV. On Saturday nights my great uncles/aunts and some cousins would all descend on my grandparents home to have supper together and then watch Perry Mason and Gunsmoke.
ReplyDeleteOnly a couple "rich kids" had TV's in their dorm rooms when I started college in 1968 and the quality of reception on the potables was not very good. TV watching was again a social activity. There were probably 40-50 guys crowded into the TV lounge for Star Trek on Friday evenings.
I remember watching Kennedy's funeral, Neal Armstrong's walk on the moon, and the Watergate hearings with groups of people.
Television viewing has changed as society has evolved. It has become a much more solitary activity now that many households have multiple TVs.
I would guess that reality programming is cheaper to produce than quality dramas, adventures or comedies. If so that would make it popular for the industry, but I wonder how soon it will reach a saturation point.
The idea of art or media reflecting society in some ways is obviously not novel. But it's interesting seeing someone who works in the industry trying to spin it. It's fascinating to me that some of the shifts she points to -- particularly the rise of reality TV -- actually were driven by completely different forces than those she points to. The writers' strike created reality TV, not some societal conscience. Yes, it also takes fertile ground for something to catch on and grow, but TV can only gauge public interest in things that get a chance to show up on TV.
ReplyDelete(Beyond that I'm not qualified to comment much, being in the 0 hours per week group like several others.)
I was surprised to see the comments about # of hours (or lack of hrs people mentioned for TV viewing). I often will watch to pass the time then realize I'm wasting my time and could use those minutes/hours more effectively and more productively. I'd guess I watch 15-20 hrs per week but don't have any "must watch" shows as I've heard from some of my friends.
ReplyDeleteWhile I do think that there are several educationla benefits we can get out of TV viewing, I also realize much time is wasted in front of what I recall my mom calling the "boob tube"
Apparently I am the only one that enjoys a little "trash TV."
ReplyDeleteI think there are a number of reasons that popular TV has taken a turn (for the worst some may say).
The current college student generation (Millennials of course)like getting a taste of the lifestyle that they crave. Many wish they could be rich with sports cars, jewelry, partying, etc. This is what reality TV gives us, a display of living the high life. Its not pretty, but it sure is entertaining.
And then, comes the competition. The Voice, American Idol, America's Got Talent, and a handful of other shows. Who can win? Honestly, this concept is by no means new. It has just gotten more recent attention. All Americans love a good cinderella story, and these shows put them out there for all to see, and even give you the opportunity to get in on the fun. Millennials like to be involved. They get satisfaction from being able to text their vote to possibly choose the next big talent- what great control and power that gives to the audience! It turns the competition from not only the contestants but to the viewers, between friends and coworkers, and gives you a special connection with those competing- after all YOU voted for them to continue, they owe you.
NCIS I'm not positive on. But one of my "must watch" shows is Law and Order: SVU, so they got me too.