I've noticed a fair amount of people on Facebook who simply write "I don't really watch TV" in the Favorite TV Shows section of their profiles. Or they'll list a couple of shows they like and then write something to the effect of "...but I don't watch TV very often." It's kind of an unecessary thing to say, and I assume that people who write things like that only do so because they want to feel good about themselves for being too clever to spend time watching the idiot box. Otherwise, if you don't watch TV, then why not just leave the section blank? You wouldn't write "I don't pay much attention to quotes," in the Favorite Quotes section.

Not watching TV is really nothing to be proud of. TV is one of the best ways to stay current and knowledgeable about trends in pop culture. I watched a full episode of MTV's "My Super Sweet Sixteen" for the first time last weekend, and it was actually a fairly worthwhile use of my time. Even though it's a pretty tacky show, it provides a lot of insight into what sorts of values our culture glorifies (and it's admittedly pretty entertaining too).

Television also gives us a common language with which we can relate to others. Shared viewing experiences can facilitate the development of social relationships. I used my impressions of "My Super Sweet Sixteen" as a conversation starter with three people that day. (The best part of the show was when the girl picked out an elephant to have at her party and remarked, "He meets my standards.")

There is nothing wrong with not watching TV, but it's certainly nothing to brag about.