Fighting over the TV remote control: A life or death issue?

A stunning story appeared in the news recently. A 24-year-old man shot his stepfather five times after he snapped because the stepfather asked for the TV remote control. Obviously, this person has more serious problems than an addiction to TV (although he might well serve as a poster child for TV addiction).

I am sure many people would shake their heads and wag their fingers disparagingly at this young man. However....

Raise your hand, if you remember fighting over the TV remote as a child? As an adult?

Be honest.

I have many not-so-fond memories of bickering and squabbling over the TV remote with my two little sisters. My turn! No mine! You already watched your show! Your show is stupid! Is not! Is too! It's my turn! No fair!

Everyone I knew in those days had these disputes too.

TV's Bicker Factor

It seems to be an integral part of the TV experience. Watching TV = fighting over the remote control. I am not sure why this would be the case. It is just one of those crazy aspects of TV ownership. Extras TV's do not always help. Then the bickering switches to who gets to watch on the biggest or the best TV.

It's also one of those things that no one seems to question. However, consider this. Why would people fight so much over a chance to stare at a piece of furniture? What is it about TV that causes this reaction?

Kids do not seem to fight over books to that extent. Most kids eventually learn how to share their other toys. There is always some level of sibling rivalry over parents' attention. However, that rivalry is intensified whenever the TV is involved.

Of course, the man who shot his stepfather over the remote must have had other serious problems. However, what about the rest of us? What's everyone else's excuse?

Something About TV

I think this problem may be deeper than most people realize. I remember noticing when I was experimenting with cutting TV that the kids fought less on the days when they were not watching TV. Their behavior improved more the longer the TV was switched OFF. This was not just over the remote. This was in general.

I am not sure why this is the case. Maybe aliens are beaming "you will fight with your family" messages into TV sets. Maybe TV is somehow irritating to the nervous system, even though the TV feels relaxing. Maybe it's a government conspiracy. I do not know.

I did observe that while they may not fight while they were engrossed in a show; they fought when there was an interruption or the end of their program. Likewise, the man who shot his stepfather did it after his stepfather asked for the remote. It appears that once the TV trance is broken, viewers become irritated.

Violent content makes problem worse

Of course, violent content makes this problem worse. Most of the studies that look at TV's effect on violent behavior just look at the violent content of programs. Naturally, the studies find that violent TV programs make people more violent than non-violent programs do. For better or worse, Power Rangers will make kids act up more than Mr. Rogers will.

However, there seems to be something more going on that is inherent to the medium of television. The bicker factor was one of the main reasons I decided to get rid of our family TV. It wasn't a fancy study that changed my mind, just good old-fashioned observation.

Plus, I got really tired of the bickering.

Source:
Man pleads guilty in death of step dad in dispute over T-V remote (http://www.wric.com/Global/story.asp?S=5970532).

About the Author:

Katherine Westphal is the founder of Trash Your TV! and the author of several books that help viewers get in control of their TV addiction. Download her ebook The Awful Truth About Television. You will never look at your TV the same way again.