Television May Be Doing Your Thinking

[Guest guest]

NaturalNews.com

http://www.naturalnews.com/024530.html

Originally published October 18 2008

 

Television May Be Doing Your Thinking

by Lynn Berry

 

 

(NaturalNews) The world's biggest leisure activity is watching

television. Not walking or reading, not playing games with our

children, not engaging with others in outdoor activities. Most of us

like to think that television has absolutely no effect on how we

think or what we do. We believe that it is a way to relax. Many of us

may be surprised to know that television is a controlling medium,

relaxing us enough to switch off our analytical brain (the left side

of the brain) so that we uncritically, or unlogically, process the

information beaming from the television. This means we are less able

to make decisions or judgments about what we hear on television.

 

Our brains undergo a similar process under hypnosis. The similarity

between hypnosis and the effects of watching television is unveiled

in Dr Aric Sigman's book called Remotely Controlled. Sigman describes

hypnosis as " an altered state of consciousness " ; a form of

sleepwalking where our mind is influenced by another (the hypnotist

or practitioner).

 

Under hypnosis we become more open to the suggestions of the

practitioner and this happens as we are asked to refrain from being

critical and relaxed. As we do this, the frontal lobe in our brain

alters becoming less connected with the brain so that we switch off.

Hypnosis effectively causes a change in the brain so that we use the

right side of our brain. What we switch off is the left side used for

critical thinking.

 

While hypnosis may be considered an extreme or unusual solution to

certain conditions, it only takes 30 seconds for us to be in a

similar state when we switch on the television. Such were the

findings from Professor Herbert Krugman in a study conducted in 1971.

His conclusion was that we do not think about the information

transmitted via television. In other words the way television

communicates is a form of brainwashing.

 

Left in this state for some time can mean that we become less

inventive in problem-solving and less able to concentrate. This suits

some environments. In the UK, television is used to keep prisoners

quiet. It is regarded as one of the best types of control mechanisms

by the General Secretary of the Prison Governors' Association.

Prisoners are subjected to the tranquillising effects of television

which subdues behaviour, and the other benefit is that it is a cheap

and effective way to do that.

 

The frontal lobe also alters in the brain when watching television.

The frontal lobe is an important part of the brain as it is a

management type system ensuring that our self-control, moral judgment

and attention is planned, organised and sequenced. The concern is

that the frontal lobe may be damaged by watching television and this

may happen in childhood because the frontal lobe is in a continual

stage of development until around 20 years of age.

 

When children watch television, the frontal lobe is not doing

anything with the result that over a period of time this part of the

brain doesn't develop which can then stunt development. A study in

The World Federation of Neurology outlined concerns about the impact

of visual electronic media (including television) on children because

of stunted frontal lobe development which also impacts on their

ability to control antisocial behaviour. Playing and interacting with

others is recommended to encourage the fibres in the frontal lobe to

develop and thicken and to make stronger connections to neurons.

 

It is not the information itself that causes the problem, but rather

the medium. Somehow we are electrically wired to the television

enabling information to be absorbed – any information. The medium

induces within us a passive state for communication. If we are

unconsciously absorbing information, then what is this information

doing to the way we think and act? Of course, the medium is a perfect

match for advertisers.

 

How much are we influenced by the opinions of others presented on TV?

Ask how you came by that opinion – was it someone else's opinion that

you've unconsciously accepted. Is your view of the latest

international news event – consider the Russia vs Georgia crisis –

shaped by what you hear? For example, I started to believe what I was

hearing regarding this `crisis' (ie that one country was the

problem), until I was reminded of the history and other related

events. Do you find yourself arguing forcefully about an issue then

wondered how, or even why, you had that point of view?

 

The other aspect of television to consider is the amount of negative

information that is transmitted. There are a few stories that are

uplifting and empowering. Some groups recommend staying away from

television particularly the news because of what they see as it's

potential to negatively impact on enthusiasm, positive thinking, and

self esteem. Do an experiment and stop watching television for a few

days or a week, then assess how you feel in general. Once you start

watching television again, reassess.

 

While we may look after our physical body, eating well and

exercising, we also have a duty to look after our mental body,

feeding it with positive stimulation. In a positive environment, we

become positive, influencing others to be positive.

 

Source: `Weapons of Mass Induction' an article in Kindred based on an

excerpt of a book by Dr Aric Sigman called Remotely Controlled

(Kindred 22: Aug 2007 see www.kindredmagazine.com.au)

 

Sites with suggestions on the use of television with children:

 

http://raisingchildren.net.au/articles/...

www.healthykids.nsw.gov.au/multiattachm...

 

 

About the author

Lynn Berry is passionate about personal development, natural health

care, justice and spirituality. She has a website at www.lynn-

berry.com.

 

All content posted on this site is commentary or opinion and is

protected under Free Speech. Truth Publishing LLC takes sole

responsibility for all content. Truth Publishing sells no hard

products and earns no money from the recommendation of products.

NaturalNews.com is presented for educational and commentary purposes

only and should not be construed as professional advice from any

licensed practitioner. Truth Publishing assumes no responsibility for

the use or misuse of this material. For the full terms of usage of

this material, visit

 

www.NaturalNews.com/terms.shtml

 

http://www.naturalnews.com/024530.html