You must stop listening to radio or music for THREE DAYS (72 hours straight—you cannot divide up the days and do them separately.) This means: No online audio services like Spotify, Pandora, etc. No CDs, tapes, vinyl, no music for three days.
You must also stop watching television/videos for three days, too. No DVDs played on your television or computers. No watching online. No YouTube videos. No instagram/facebook/snap videos either. NO VIDEO CONTENT OF ANY KIND on any screen or smart device EXCEPT, OF COURSE, FOR ASSIGNED CONTENT AUDIO/VIDEO FOR ANY CLASS OR YOUR WORK. You can still game but it has to be on your computer—YOU CANNOT use your television screen with any device. You will get extra credit if you can find someone to give it up watching with you.
ONCE THE THREE DAYS ARE FINISHED, you will answer questions (write an essay) based upon the following:
CUT-PASTE the following information into a Word document and submit.
RTVF110 "NO-TV-RADIO FOR A WEEK" PAPER
You were required to stop watching television and radio for 3 days in a row, 24 hours per day. This means: No DVDs played on your television, no watching television programs online, no television shows or DVDs on your computer…NO TELEVISION OF ANY KIND on ANY smart device. NO RADIO of any kind: No Sirius, no XM, no online radio stations, no Spotify.
If you succeeded, your grading scale maximum is 100% (A). If not, the max is 89% (B).
So, tell the truth: Did you give up television and radio for the entire time
(peeks don't count)?
Yes? or No?
For extra credit: Did you get anyone else (friends or family) to join you?
Yes? Or No? For how long?
If you did get somebody to join you, who was it?
If not, why not?
Simply changing your routine viewing behavior will not have a lasting impact unless you take some time to reflect upon the meaning of it. This brings us to the second part of the assignment. Here are the questions you must answer:
Was it easy or difficult for you to break away from television/radio? Why or why not? What did you learn about your consumption habits? Describe the media or television viewing (addicted) culture in the U.S. How did it feel to be purposely “disconnected” from this technology/television focussed culture?
What did you do with the empty “media time?” Did you seek out interactions with other people or simply different media (computer, radio, CDs, etc.) Be sure and describe how not watching television or consuming media affected your other life habits (eating, socializing with family and friends, news gathering, etc.)
Describe your interaction with other people during this assignment. How did people treat you because you were actively removing yourself from mainstream media consumption? What was it like to interact (or not interact) with people based upon viewing/consuming (as opposed to other reasons: race, gender, class, etc.) What did you learn about our mediated culture? Briefly describe the television viewing culture and what it is like to attempt to avoid that culture or become a member of the non-viewing culture. Or describe the technology “connected” culture and what it is like to attempt to avoid that culture or become a member of the non-viewing culture.
Have your consumption habits been altered by the experience? That is, did you (will you) go back to the old ways (“normal”) or are you more reflective and selective?
Answer only if you were unable to complete the assignment (i.e., you're a loser and a slave to the boob-tube, a media junkie, etc.). Describe your failed attempts and discuss the circumstances surrounding your decision to quit trying or your decision to give up the assignment all together. You will get partial credit instead of full credit, but you will also be able to live with yourself because you told the truth. Answer thoughtfully and in detail if you want to get the most out of the experience (and, of course, a good grade.)
Sample Solution