To TiVo, or not to TiVo
Posted by Anne
Elizabeth’s post yesterday struck a chord with me—challenging my views on what it means to delay gratification, work hard, and enjoy the present. A thoughtful post is brewing for Friday. But it’s Wednesday—hump day—and I feel like wrestling with a far more shallow—yet still LiP relevant—issue.
You see, I’m on a quest to decrease my constant exposure to technology, but my husband has different plans. He wants TVo. And frankly, I’m torn. Oddly, I’ve been stewing over this TVo question for weeks now (yes, I obsess about issues other than my future), and there are clearly pros and cons to this somewhat insignificant decision.
My Life in Pencil argument FOR TiVo:
1. It would mean the opportunity to say goodbye to time-wasting mindless television. I mean, really, how often do I need to sit in front of that re-run of “Battle Cranberry!” on Iron Chef? If there was a constant backlog of programs I actually enjoy and look forward to, my television time would be more enjoyable, and less mindless.
2. It would likewise mean the opportunity to embrace programs that are more enriching, and that I might never have watched otherwise. I would feel far less guilty and more educated if I more consistently caught some documentaries and Masterpiece Theater. Or those episodes of Biography. These are the shows I often miss, but wish I didn’t. Really, anything but the umpteenth episode of House Hunters would be a step up.
3. When faced with two concurrent programs, I wouldn’t have to choose which to watch, and which to forego. This would mean more flexibility, and less rushing around to avoid missing something. I watch only when I want to watch.
My Life in Pencil argument AGAINST TiVo:
1. If it requires another remote control, this is a definite con. I simply cannot fit one more remote in my cute pottery remote control bowl that sits on the coffee table.
2. More television, plain and simple. I don’t particularly want to pick up any new shows. And while I do watch “junk tv” from time to time, I’m just as likely to turn off the tube, and pick up a book when nothing interests me. If I always had a back-log of Top Chef to watch…what would happen to my commitment to get through Middlemarch before the end of spring?
3. Strangely, there’s something that feels Life in Pencil-ish about simply choosing an activity over television, and lacking the opportunity to catch up on what I’ve missed. It’s a choice.
4. Adding technology to my life just doesn’t sound appealing.
Conclusion?
None. Still just as torn. Ultimately, I’m sure we’ll break down and add TiVo to our technological repertoire. But I do wonder if my habits will change. I suppose that’s a choice, right? But it’s amazing to me how technology can suck us in, and alter our routines.
Truly, it’s an insignificant decision. But…often I find it’s the little decisions that affect my Life in Pencil mission. A decision to take a walk, instead of check e-mail. A decision to throw away a weekend to-do list. The little decisions add up, creating a moment, a day, or a week that feels more (or less) in line with my goals of flexibility and enjoyment. This is just one little decision. To TiVo, or not to TiVo.
Okay, lay it on me. Should I break down and get it or not? Any fabulous benefits (or drawbacks) I haven’t considered? Your thoughts on TiVo’s inherent ability to help or hinder Life in Pencil?
April 28th, 2010 at 6:52 am
I would vote yes, go for it. The ability to freeze and go back to hear what a character said while your husband was coughing or the phone was ringing is priceless. You will be freed from the tyranny of having to watch something in real time, and from the death-grip of the advertisers.
April 28th, 2010 at 7:00 am
I don’t know what we did before TiVO! I LOVE it. Yes there are times when I watch more television than I should but as you pointed out in your “pros” you can be more selective in your viewing, watching when you want to watch and my personal favorite skip every single on of the commercials. An hour program is laden with 20 minutes of commercials. With TiVo you can use your time more “wisely” Go for it!
April 28th, 2010 at 7:22 am
You are forgetting the lack of commercials! You can zip through a 60 minute program in 40! That’s 20 minutes saved to spend on something worthwhile! I love our TiVo!
April 28th, 2010 at 7:25 am
You know my feelings on this one. JUST GET IT! All of your pro-TiVo arguments are valid. And your anit-TiVo arguments are easily overcome. Remote controls? Get a universal remote! We have one remote that runs the TV, DVR, DVD player, and sound system. You can get one at Best Buy for $20. Middlemarch? The nice thing about TiVo is that your shows will always be there waiting for you. Unlike Netflix where not watching holds up your next delivery, you can let shows sit in your TiVo archives for months until you’re ready to watch them. There’s no rush. Life in Pencil-ish-ness of an activity over TV? You truly won’t end up watching any more TV than you already do. It will just be different (and better) TV. Adding technology to your life? It’s adding thoughtless cluttering technology to your life that you have an aversion to. This is not that. You’re throwing the baby out with the bathwater.
I’m with Jane. I don’t know what we did before Tivo.
April 28th, 2010 at 8:19 am
Wow…such overwhelming positive responses! And thank you Gale…I went back and corrected all my blatant TiVo spelling errors. Shows how aware I am of the thing.
Anyway, I think the skipping of commercials is a VERY good argument. I’m definitely on board with that. Hmmm…
April 28th, 2010 at 8:51 am
BTW – I, like many other people, use the word TiVo generically. Like Q-tip or Kleenex. Our TiVo isn’t actually a TiVo. It’s the DirecTV DVR. (I heard on NPR recently that only about 20% of DVRs are actually TiVo.) So if/when you start looking at TiVo, don’t think that TiVo itself is your only option. Check with your cable company for their DVR product.
April 28th, 2010 at 12:01 pm
Hi, Gale, I’m enjoying your website after seeing a link to it on your FB page. Like, Gale, we have DirecTV DVR and love it. We don’t watch a lot of shows (mostly sports) but much of what we do watch is on when our boys are still awake (American Idol, Modern Family, etc.) So it’s easier to watch it later and w/out commercials. We also record movies and documentaries we can watch later (like the one the new series on America on the History channel). So go for it!
April 28th, 2010 at 2:52 pm
I’m 80% in the “go for it” camp. I love our DVR and feel like it does save me time when I watch something. I can’t tell you the last time I watched anything in real time, and when I do, it is painful because I’m so spoiled by not having to typically watch commercials. But…..the other 20% of me is in your camp of “maybe not.” I DO think I watch more television overall than if I didn’t have the DVR, simply because I can’t watch all that much in real time with my schedule. And I find that I DO choose TV more often than I’d like and forgo the walk, the book, the phone call to a friend. So, not sure I’m helping here, but I do get being torn.
April 29th, 2010 at 8:13 am
Anne, we LOVE our DVR. I fully understand your hesitance, but I think you’ll find it will change your life! Pausing programs to use the bathroom or answer the phone, speeding through commercials, watching when you want. And besides, it’s good to pick your battles and let your husband get what he wants sometimes!