Still Cranky

Just because you have the technology to do something doesn’t mean it’s a good idea to do it. 

Case in point:  High Definition TV.

Since the advent of the television set, there have been only a handful of truly useful inventions: color, the remote control and the Mute button are among them (ok, I’ll throw in VCRs, DVD players and maybe Tivo).  These were all welcome advances.  High Definition is not.  I wouldn’t even call HD an advance.  I’d call it a scam.

HD is the perfect example of creating a need for something no one needs.  I know, some people say it’s great for watching sports (“…you can see the whole field!“).
If I watched sports, maybe I’d agree.  But for everything else, it’s  terrible.

In all the years I’ve been watching TV, never once have I said to myself, “Gee, the picture just isn’t sharp enough…if only I could see the pores on Lesley Stahl’s face…”

Recently, I had a chance to view a few shows on an HD set.  What I saw convinced me that High Def isn’t only pointless, it’s downright disturbing. 

For example, on my regular TV, Anderson Cooper has an impressive head of stylish, closely cropped silver hair.  But to my horror, on HD TV, I could also see patches of his pink scalp peeking through.  Which means that instead of paying attention to what he’s  saying about the Economy, now I’m worried poor A.C. needs to get some Rogaine   – and fast.

I also watched a Citracal commercial.  In the spot, a young woman sits barefoot on a stool and talks to the camera about the importance of keeping her bones healthy with Citracal Bone Density Builder. I’d seen this same commercial several times before, and never understood why a thirty year old woman would be talking about Osteoporosis.  No matter.  On HD TV, I didn’t pay attention to any of that.       I was much too busy looking at the woman’s blotchy, red feet.  Take a look next time – they really are quite unattractive.  Her feet were so distracting, I didn’t hear a single word she said.  From now on, I will always equate Citracal with blotchy feet. (Note: I’m not sure why the woman is barefoot to begin with, but I’m guessing it’s supposed to connote “honesty”). 

Do we really think this is an improvement?  As with most things, I would argue that when it comes to TV picture quality, less is definitely more. 
So I’m going to enjoy my Low-Def TV for as long as possible.  After all, I watch TV to escape reality – I don’t need to get up close and personal.  And frankly, there’s a whole lot I just don’t care to see.