The rise and fall of television as we know it

The recent presidential debates point out the obvious, TV is not what it used to be. It’s a shame because it did not have to turn out as it has. The technology was evolved during the 1920’s, though the business and government use of TV really took off after WWII circa late 1940’s. From the primitive technology and government sales of public airwaves for TV to the big three networks in the USA after WWII, much as evolved, not all so good. Other parts of the world went the same kind of way, though the technology protocols were different, and government channels were often used. If you’ve lived in Sweden, or England, or Japan, for example, this makes more sense. They evolved TV (and radio) somewhat differently.

The initial promise of TV expanded with the coming of cable delivery of TV to more remote parts of the USA. But way beyond the delivery means was the ability to educate and inform we citizens of the great arts and other uplifting social ideas that were so normally restricted due to locations and other limiting means, like travel. National sports became truly national thanks to TV, for example. So did the Space Program. So did the News. And along the way, made for TV movies were always looked down on as a poor man’s cousin by the elite American movie industry, which later went south about the same time as foul language and silly scripts became de rigueur. The evolution was capped by the introduction of ratings, demanded by the citizens, and responded to by the industry, TV and Hollywood. Does anyone thing today’s PG-13 rating is a fair representation of the media’s true value? Is today’s PG-13 yesterday’s R, and did we citizens change to accept this, or did the industry media manage this, using TV of course.

The great failure of TV, so far, is falling so far off its promise to do good for society. Americans in loads brought TV into their homes, and along the way gave up more old fashioned things like radio shows at night, card games around tables played by family members from different generations (and marriages), reading stories to each other, or just playing board games like Scrabble. While TV was supposed to be better than that, such has not happened. Are the alternatives like cartoons that are now 24/7 (they used to be Saturday morning events while the family cooked and had events), or movies of all origins and ratings come into our homes, or music videos that change the values of so many young people better than what we had? The question is only exacerbated by the introduction of new internet technologies and pipelines, but the basic question is still TV, and its value.

Few people are going to deny themselves any advantage they can have, nor bother themselves with turning back the tide. For example TV and many movies are good baby-sitters much of the time. These same people also recognize the intrinsic value of educating their children, and TV is only one trick in their bag of tricks.

Yet in the same vein, much of the good potential of TV has not been achieved, so far. Now is a time for leaders, for example those so devoted and smart and knowledgeable of propaganda techniques, to switch from promoting crummy candidates and ideas to promoting American culture that will benefit our society and our kids. Having lived overseas and seen government TV, and even Armed Forces TV, there are better alternatives to having TV reach its potential.