On Mon, May 12, 2008 at 6:59 PM, Bob La Quey <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > On Mon, May 12, 2008 at 4:36 PM, <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > > On Mon, May 12, 2008 at 01:33:09PM -0700, Robert Donovan wrote: > > > I've long ago stopped going to friends' houses wherin the practice is > > > to leave the TV on with nobody watching it. > > > > Acquaintance friend of mine told me they leave the TV on 24/7. > > He can't go to sleep unless the TV is on.
I wouldn't be going over during sleeping hours in most cases. As to while they were awake, I go, do what I came there to do, and get out of there. > > It is just an electronic fire. Muttering away in the background. > Why should it bother one? > > I guess it may depend upon how you were raised. I grew up in a > loud and cantankerous environment. By the time I was four or > five years old I had learned to simply ignore a lot of what > was going on around me. I find this ability has served me well > in later life. I feel sorry sometimes for people who seem unable > to concentrate unless circumstances are "just right." > > Indeed I find it easier to concentrate when their is a continuous > stream of activity around me. > > I do though always maintain a background awareness that is > checking for potential explosions. > > And you? Perhaps I should have said I long ago stopped voluntarily going to friends' houses wherein the practice was to have the TV on with nobody watching it, unless I had some strong reason for going. I have worked on projects at places where CNBC or some other far mor inane nonesense was blaring away on a TV right next to me, and beng paid attention to by no one. I have done the same thing in friends homes. I can tune it out fine. I simply consider it a waste of energy to avoid an unnecessary distraction and choose not to be bothered with that. I certainly would never tell somebody they shouldn't turn a TV on in their own house or business, if that's what they like or find necessary to help focus their concentration, but if they have any desire for me to stay after I accomplish the purpose of my visit, the odds drop precipitously if the TV is always on, particularly if it's something really vapid, a la Jerry Springer or a panel of stock market analysts. On the other hand, if they want me to leave under the same circumstances, there are few better ways in my case. Robert Donovan -- [email protected] http://www.kernel-panic.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/kplug-list
