The Community Channel
Her father sat, eyes wide.
Colleen pried the remote from his hand.
"No more News, Dad. *Community Channel only, please."
Together, they sat;
each to their own thoughts,
their real world on TV.
***I'm not sure how television channels are delivered in your part of the world but here, in Canada, digital cable companies are mandated to dedicate one of the channels they offer for local programming only. These local channels might offer such programmes as an interview with the local mayor, coverage of a parade or an awards banquet but, mostly, they feature an endless loop of community advertising. This often takes the form of announcements for blood donor clinics, pot luck suppers at a community hall, food or toy drives and so on. Sometimes, local photographers upload photos from around town that are displayed along with the community announcements. Soft music rounds out the broadcasting trifecta. The loop plays 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
My story is about how a lot of seniors are interacting with their world, nowadays. How they are, increasingly, house bound, relying on television to give them a sense of how things are in the world. And, how, increasingly, frightened they are becoming based upon what is being broadcast; on the news, especially. They often believe the monsters on tv are real. Consequently, they are becoming scared of the world beyond their doors based on the unreal world portrayed on Network TV.
The news can be a scary beast.
ReplyDeleteEspecially Nancy Grace!!!
DeleteWhat a thoughtful and insightful take on the prompt Tom. Though I have to admit, the thought of watching nothing but the local community channel is even more frightening! ;)
ReplyDeleteTrue, to a point but, at least on community TV, every second person isn't a pedophile, murderer, etc. :)
DeleteSad, but true about senior citizens-or anyone who watches too much news. My husband's grandfather got so paranoid about the dangers of the "real world" we feared he might do something crazy like shoot the mailman. Thought provoking 33 words!
ReplyDeleteMy Mom lives alone and will often leave CNN Headline news on all day, just to have some conversation going on in the house. But, When I talk with her on the phone, I can always tell that she has been watching CNN because she is more anxious and worried about the world. Too many seniors are spending their "golden years" in front of their tvs, that is for sure.
DeleteWhat an unique and sensitive take on the prompt Tom-just loved it and I think it is so important that all of us remain in touch with what is going on,closer home,too:-)
ReplyDeleteThanks, Atreyee! I am glad that you liked this post. :)
DeleteI needed the back-ground.. but the real story told is that of how it is to grow old...
ReplyDeleteIf you needed the background then, I failed to do my job properly. Thanks for the honest critique, Bjorn. I'll do a better job next time.
DeleteThanks, Jo-Anne, for your support of my description of Canadian community TV. :) Bless your heart for digging deep to find the positive.
ReplyDeleteThe world beyond our doors can actually be pretty scary.
ReplyDeleteEspecially when you lose contact with the real world by becoming house bound and infirmed and having to rely on TV for your new reality of how the world is. Thanks for stopping by.
DeleteGrowing older in an ever changing world is frightening, especially when you are ill prepared to understand those changes.
ReplyDeleteWise words, Tara. Thanks for stopping by with your comment. I appreciate it.
Delete