Not only do I have inclusion criteria (similar to what you suggested), but I have exclusion criteria. I realized that some of the crime-based dramas, reality shows, and sitcoms were actually fostering negative views about myself or others. Indeed I watched thought-provoking, well-made programs. But, negative impacts on my emotions, values, and beliefs slowly and subtly developed. For example, romance-based reality shows lowered my self-esteem as a I judged myself against an impossible standard of physicality. Another example: sitcoms and dramas that depict highly dysfunctional families were making me think it’s okay to be in my own dysfunctional relationships; that is, they normalized acting jealous, petty, selfishly, as well as speaking sarcastically and not taking personal responsibility for things.

As an intelligent person, it’s not the case that I saw these shows and thought, “oh okay, it’s fine if I act like these people.” Far from it! I laughed at them, saw them as ridiculous, and so forth. But, the influence was slowly evolving within me. As I am now on a path of redesigning my life, — and your website is full of great information to help with that — it’s become clear to me that much of the television I previously watched wasn’t really good for me for the aforementioned reasons.

Now, I try to restrict my tv watching to programs that: are smart, thought-provoking, funny, educational, or inspirational AND that do NOT model dysfunction in any kind of realistic way, depict horrific crimes that will lower my faith in humanity (and turn my dreams into nightmares), or hold up unrealistic standards of beauty as goals we ought to all be striving for.

One note I’d like to add: there is something to be said for over-the-top ridiculous character depiction. You mentioned enjoying “Arrested Development.” This program would qualify here. While it clearly demonstrates mass dysfunction within a family, it is so unrealistically ridiculous, that it does not normalize it for me in any way. In fact, it has the opposite effect: it reminds me how important it is to NOT be anything like these characters.

I hope this idea of exclusion criteria will be useful to other readers of your website.

Not only do I have inclusion criteria (similar to what you suggested), but I have exclusion criteria. I realized that some of the crime-based dramas, reality shows, and sitcoms were actually fostering negative views about myself or others. Indeed I watched thought-provoking, well-made programs. But, negative impacts on my emotions, values, and beliefs slowly and subtly developed. For example, romance-based reality shows lowered my self-esteem as a I judged myself against an impossible standard of physicality. Another example: sitcoms and dramas that depict highly dysfunctional families were making me think it’s okay to be in my own dysfunctional relationships; that is, they normalized acting jealous, petty, selfishly, as well as speaking sarcastically and not taking personal responsibility for things.

As an intelligent person, it’s not the case that I saw these shows and thought, “oh okay, it’s fine if I act like these people.” Far from it! I laughed at them, saw them as ridiculous, and so forth. But, the influence was slowly evolving within me. As I am now on a path of redesigning my life, — and your website is full of great information to help with that — it’s become clear to me that much of the television I previously watched wasn’t really good for me for the aforementioned reasons.

Now, I try to restrict my tv watching to programs that: are smart, thought-provoking, funny, educational, or inspirational AND that do NOT model dysfunction in any kind of realistic way, depict horrific crimes that will lower my faith in humanity (and turn my dreams into nightmares), or hold up unrealistic standards of beauty as goals we ought to all be striving for.

One note I’d like to add: there is something to be said for over-the-top ridiculous character depiction. You mentioned enjoying “Arrested Development.” This program would qualify here. While it clearly demonstrates mass dysfunction within a family, it is so unrealistically ridiculous, that it does not normalize it for me in any way. In fact, it has the opposite effect: it reminds me how important it is to NOT be anything like these characters.

I hope this idea of exclusion criteria will be useful to other readers of your website.

Thanks for your question.

I think this issue may interest many readers, so I’ve given it some thought and posted a reply in this post:
http://www.getorganizedwizard.com/blog/2009/05/organizing-q-a-a-morsel-a-day-keeps-the-bingeing-away/

I hope you find it helpful.

Michele

Thanks for your question.

I think this issue may interest many readers, so I’ve given it some thought and posted a reply in this post:
http://www.getorganizedwizard.com/blog/2009/05/organizing-q-a-a-morsel-a-day-keeps-the-bingeing-away/

I hope you find it helpful.

Michele