Why do so many restaurants have televisions these days? Partly, I blame the flat-screen TV. The logistical challenge of mounting numerous cathode-ray television sets has been overcome by the shape and weight of the newer versions. Still, this trend of no-diner-left-undistracted precedes flat screens. Have you noticed nobody truly watches them? Often, mercifully, the sound of the televisions in public houses will be muted, which just leaves a flickering screen on some random channel, broadcasting meaningless images. Still the meaningless images are difficult to ignore—at least for infants and for me. It’s the worst of both worlds.
34 responses to “Television programmed”