I am not sure, maybe a lot of TV viewers actually are very passive. What always gets me about TV is the constant overexcited talking, which acts like brainwashing. TV shows (series) are another matter, but I think there might be a market for the constant babbeling brainwash. The primary function of TV is to switch off the brain. The internet can't really replace it, because choosing which shows to watch would be work.
Also lately I had this thought that maybe it is not even so bad. Consider a person who watches TV shows for all their lives. Chances are their lives will be much more exciting than the average person's live, if they really live with the TV show characters. They'll experience every conceivable and inconceivable human condition there is. Not that I recommend it myself, but still...
Agreed; much of the appeal of TV seems to be that it removes all need to make any decisions. I have two younger sisters in their mid teens, and although they both have facebook and MSN etc, I'd say that for every hour they spend on the internet, they'll spend 3 hours watching TV.
For the most part, though, it won't be anything specific -- they'll just sit there and watch literally whatever's on, including even the really awful daytime game shows and the like. They're not very bright, but neither are they especially stupid -- they're both at grammar schools (~top 20%). Neither are they poor, friendless or isolated -- they just enjoy the utter mindlessness of watching whatever is put in front of them. To have to choose what to watch would ruin the experience.
Not sure I buy that - not in the stressful way TV people talk. As I said, overexcited, they constantly have to convey the impression that something exciting is happening.
When was the last time you felt relaxed like after getting a massage from watching TV?
Also lately I had this thought that maybe it is not even so bad. Consider a person who watches TV shows for all their lives. Chances are their lives will be much more exciting than the average person's live, if they really live with the TV show characters. They'll experience every conceivable and inconceivable human condition there is. Not that I recommend it myself, but still...