My counselor tells me I need TV or I'll go batshit.

[Ladyhawk]

Can I go ahead and get cable, then boycott the nasty channels and let them know I am not watching? I only want Discovery affiliates, comedy central and the like.

I'm alone. Nature and learning are my gods. I learn through books and the computer, but Discovery, Animal Planet, etc. seem to be necessary for good mental health for me.

I'm not just saying that. I haven't had TV for six weeks or so. If I completely boycott TV and have to stare at these four walls all winter, I'll go nuts. My counselor already suggested an inpatient stay due to my taking this election so hard. (Then my apartment flooded...and well, never mind. Last straw stuff.)

I wish there was a way to only buy Discovery, Comedy Central, Animal Planet, etc...screw the networks. It really isn't fair to force us to pay for channels we don't watch, like FAUX NEWS.

[LoZoccolo]

1. Don't let anyone here tell you not to get cable.

One, they can't see you.

[SoCalDem]

2. Get Dish, program your remote

The remote I have allows me to programe even the guide, so I never even have Fox pop up anywhere..

You can get many different packages.different prices

[Ladyhawk]

3. I had dish before I moved, SoCalDem.

I had all the major "news" stations edited out of my program guide. I never had to look at the Chimperor's ugly smirking face.

I can't get Dish Network here. :( :( :( :( It's cable or nothing.

[liveoaktx]

6. With Dish, you can go to Menu/Channel Locks and block out

the channels you don't want to even show up in your channel listing. You will, therefore NEVER EVEN SEE THOSE LISTINGS AGAIN to be tempted unless you unblock them in the menu.

[Zorbet55]

4. Ooooohhhhhhhhhh.......I reckon it would be all right, ladyhawk

Those are some decent channels that you crave so wantonly. I am still maintaining abstinence, but that does not mean that you have to. Maybe...maybe, you can work with me and gradually get me back into sinning along with you.

[AP]

5. My friend the psychologist advises depressed people to stop watching TV

if they're depressed. She says that people who have problems related to body image and about ten other disorders make their problems worse by watching TV.

She also says that for many people, the first question she'll ask after listening to their problems is, "How much TV do you watch?"

You might want to consider a new doctor.

[Ladyhawk]

7. Well, I'm having a meltdown right now and I haven't had any TV

for six weeks. I have two psychologists, both of whom suggest I need my TV back. I'll check with psychiatrist, too, but I think he'll agree.

So...:shrug:

I don't watch much TV, just enough to get my learning fix.

[AP]

9. For a learning fix, learn a new language down at the community college.

It'll probably be cheaper than 6 months of cable, and your money will go to something worthwile: an educational institutions. You might even make a new friend or two.

[seabeyond]

8. get your cable. still a democracy

you have a right to take care of your mental health your way. go for it. i have boycotted all news, for a while, but absolutely since the election. and i watch all my other cable channels.

[eridani]

10. For heaven's sakes--there are millions of goddam DVDs--

of various TV series. Granted, they are not the newest episodes, but so what? Another option is to have friends tape the shows you like so you can watch them later.

[gottaB]

11. Other options for a cable boobtube jones

1. Videos/DVDs. Since giving up cable, we have amassed a huge collection of movies. We also rent a lot of movies, mostly through netflix.

2. Broadcast television. We don't get many channels, but pbs comes in clear. It's enough.

3. If you couldn't afford broadband before you gave up cable, now you can. Neither one of us watches videos much at our desks--I prefer radio, and am always listening to music or else streaming talk radio--but it's there.

For your case in particular, Ladyhawk, if you're willing to pay for Discovery programs, you can listen to Discovery radio online or buy dvds from them.

Many public libraries have good collections of science and nature videos. Online you can find science and nature programs from major public broadcasting networks (BBC, CBC, ABC, PBS), for instance:

http://www.cbc.ca/natureofthings/


Comedy Central has a lot of online content.

I wouldn't blame you if you decide you really wanted cable tv, but maybe you can find alternatives. Good luck.