I love my TV

I recently came across this article on the evils of television.  Its called Seven Reasons You Should Stop Watching Television.

Personally, I love my TV.  Love it.  I  like to watch movies and my favourite shows (Game of Thrones, Boardwalk Empire, Sons of Anarchy – I know, they are all super violent).  Golf is a mainstay in my weekend viewing.  I also enjoy watching the news and more in depth media and learning whats happening in the world (60 minutes, Vice).  I do not watch reality tv.

For those of you who do not know The Professor, Andy and myself have been building a series of academic tests for our Apprenticeship Program.  We will also be using these tests for the Coach Development Program within our Mad Lab Group.  The first study guide/piece we introduce students to is a discussion on Critical Thinking.  Here is a quote we used:

“Being a responsible adult means accepting the fact that almost all knowledge is tentative, and accepting it cheerfully. You may be required to change your belief tomorrow, if the evidence warrants, and you should be willing and able to do so. That, in essence, is what skepticism means: to believe if and only if the evidence warrants.”  James Lett

I know its all cool and all to not watch or have a TV. I think this article’s blanket rejection presupposes that people are not capable of differentiating their own ideas from the information they are taking in.

Here is my response to these 7 reasons:

1. Its similar to being asleep  -  Bullshit!  True it can turn your brain waves from Alpha (alert and conscious attention) to Beta (unfocussed and lack of attention).  To be honest after a full day of coaching and emailing and billing and meetings I can use a some beta brain waves.  Where do they get you are asleep?  I can still scratch my belly or sip my drink.  The sleep angle is pure conjecture and someone who doesn’t use critical thinking is likely to believe it.

2. Missing out on social interaction  -  Was anyone around CFV during the 2010 Olympics?  We had parties upstairs for the hockey games.  People brought food and drink.  There was constant banter, high fives and hugs.  Awesome sauce.  And frankly I enjoy being alone and anti social after a busy day getting you folks fit as %$#*.  Last night at dinner with buddies we all reminisced about where we were and what we were doing when Joe Carter hit his home run in 1993.  We were all at people’s houses or parties.  It was a unifying moment for fans, people and country – Not an isolating one.

3.  Programming yourself with negativity  -  I wonder if the author of this article understands that he is actually the one being negative.  Of course he could dress it up as he is trying to do something good for us.  The road to hell is paved with good intentions.  I understand there is a lot of negativity on TV but alas this is the part of the world we live in.  Avoidance does not make it disappear.  A mindful and equivocal mindset can take in information based on facts and reality.

4.  TV can poison your belief system  -  Uhhhhh… Didn’t he just say this in #3?  He is criticizing what we laugh at?  Wait!  I thought TV was awful and negative?  How can it make us laugh?  Is laughing bad now too?  Dang!  And yes, much of the tragedy you see on TV happens in real life.  I’m sure we can all think of examples.

5.  It creates unrealistic expectations.  -  Again, does this person think we are all robots and have no brain for ourselves?  I’m pretty sure I know I’m not James Bond and will not marry a super model.

6.  Feelings of inadequacy  -  More repetition.  Much like #5.  I watch a ton of TV and I am fine with how pretty/smart/funny I am and there is nothing empty about my life.

7.  Is it really relaxing?  -  Well, yes.  How come I will invariably fall asleep after watching it for a while?  I’m not on my feet yelling and shouting and assessing and making decisions and communicating my thoughts.  Maybe I’m old but I love curling up on the couch with a blankee and my girlfriend with a bowl of popcorn to watch a movie.  So ya, its relaxing.

Perhaps the above mentioned article was written for 10 year olds.  Its not really that kind of site though.  Either way, just as critical thinking prescribes, make your mind up for yourself.

Thanks for reading my rant.  :-)

The Shepherd

Monday

Warm-up: 10 minutes:

20 Dislocates
10 Russian KB Swings
15 Handcuff Press
10 Russian KB Swings
10 Scapular Push-ups
10 Russian KB Swings
10 Scapula Pull-ups
10 Russian KB Swings

Skill: (20 minutes)

1). Handstand work (Note, we’ll all work for 10 minutes together with your chosen progression)

Options:

Elite: Iron crosses are your warm-up

Attempt 1 to 3 freestanding handstands (no walking) every 2 minutes for 10 minutes. Note your best time.

Advanced: You can walk on your hands all day, but holding steady is another story.

Every 2 minutes for 10 minutes, hold a handstand for 45 seconds with your chest to the wall. Then kick away from the wall just a couple of inches so your feet are no longer on the wall but so that the wall is close enough that you can use it for getting your balance back again. See if you can find that sweet balance spot for a few seconds or more.

Intermediate: You’re finally comfortable kicking up to a quality handstand against the wall.

Every 2 minutes for 10 minutes, hold a 45-60 second handstand. Try to get as tall as possible with your shoulders as open as possible. Pretend like someone’s coming at your ass with a pencil. Squeeze those glutes together so that that pencil can’t get through.

Beginner: When we program cartwheels, you hang out in the corner and pout.

Every 2 minutes for 10 minutes, do 3-5 wall walks. Try to keep a hollow position the whole time.

Toddler: It’s your first month of CrossFit, or your shoulders are so tight you can’t put your arms over your head.

Every 2 minutes for 10 minutes, hold a 45 second inverted hold with your feet on the box. Again, try to open those shoulders as much as possible.

2). Warm-up Muscle up

20 Elbow Circles with Band
20 Seated Transitions
10 Ring Rows

Workout: Baby Nate

12 minute AMRAP of:

2 Muscle ups (or 6 rings dips and 6 pull-ups)
4 HSPU (or 8 kneeling shoulder press)

8 KB swings (Russian) – 2 pood, 1.5 pood