Television: A Double-edged Sword - Part Two
by Lou Conjar
As mentioned in Part 1 of this commentary, television is an incredibly powerful tool for programming the mind. The TV executives would like you to believe that the shows being presented have been developed because they are trying to give the public what it wants. They would like you to believe that television doesn't influence behavior - that it simply entertains. They cry that the violence, shown in such graphic detail, is what the viewer demands and that it adds realism to the presentation. They deny that such constant bombardment on the senses causes people to become de-sensitized. They deny, in the face of overwhelming evidence, that this negative programming has any influence whatsoever on the viewer's behavior.
The simple truth is that this medium has an extraordinary effect on behavior. Scientific and Psychological studies that prove this are numerous and undeniable. If you've read anything about the nature of the mind, you are well aware of this fact. Even if you haven't, mere observation and common sense tells you it is so. Therefore, I am not going to waste your time trying to "prove" that we are influenced mentally, emotionally and physically by being bombarded with negative programming. Instead, I want to focus on how this medium can be used to produce incredibly positive change in our lives.
Those of us who have had an interest in the "Human Potential" movement are well aware of the benefits that can be gained by using various positive "programming" techniques. Everything from creative visualization to positive affirmations to self-hypnosis and subliminal programming can help us to overcome negative subconscious programming and allow us to achieve more of what we want out of life. Self-help and Spiritual workshops and seminars are invaluable tools in our quest to "get inside ourselves", find out what kind of life we really want, begin to develop goals that are more in line with our true nature (and personal value system), and start developing plans to bring them into manifestation. Many are those who have had life-changing experiences from utilizing these tools. The sad part of this is that, despite the overwhelming evidence that these methodologies work, only a relatively small percentage of the general population takes advantage of them. And one of the major reasons that more people don't take advantage of these tools is ... Money!
That's right. The sad fact is that powerful, life-changing seminars, workshops and other tools cost money ... sometimes quite a lot. A good seminar could cost hundreds, or even thousands, of dollars. That's simply more than many people can afford, especially on something that a parent, spouse or other type of "significant other" might consider a luxury. Even if they are totally supportive, the cost may be simply too great. This is where television comes in. Television can bring these wonderful experiences to just about everyone...at a price that almost everyone can afford!
In the United States, the average home has more than one TV set. And the average American spends 4 to 8 hours a day watching these little (and not so little) boxes that can magically transport us to worlds that allow us to momentarily forget about our personal problems. Wouldn't it be great if more of that time were spent watching positive, uplifting programs? What do you think would happen if more and more people spent 4 to 8 hours a day watching educational programs that taught useful skills which could allow the watcher to obtain a better paying or more enjoyable job, or programs that motivated people to enrich their lives in a multitude of ways, such as improving self-confidence, overcoming fears, changing careers, deciding to start their own business, become a more loving parent, and so on ? What about programs that uplift the spirit, such as seminars and workshops with dynamic speakers such as John Bradshaw (On Homecoming, etc.), Les Brown (Live Your Dreams), Og Mandino (The Greatest Salesman In The World), John Alston (Life Is A Gift, Don't Trash It), John Gray (Men Are From Mars, Women Are From Venus), Mark Victor Hansen (Chicken Soup For The Soul), and others? To attend a seminar by any of these kinds of speakers would be too costly for many middle and lower income families. But ... television can be a great equalizer. It can give equal opportunity to all. That is it's most beautiful potential.
Do you realize the transformative power of this kind of programming? It can literally change the world. Because it can literally program the mind. If that thought concerns you, realize this ... television already does program the mind. The only question is, would you prefer that it program it negatively or positively ? Would you prefer it to teach people how to hurt or teach them how to heal? Would you prefer that it drive people to the depths of despair and depression or lift them to heights which inspire creative change in their lives, and the lives of those around them? The choice is ours.
If you see the positive potential of television and would like to know how you can become involved in uplifting the people of the world through the use of this medium, stay tuned. We have some wonderful news coming.
