talkpolitics | Consumer whoredom and the Green Giant footprint

A recent article from the Times indicates that almost all DVR/cable box combos create by the Average Joe™ have a bigger carbon footprint than the Jolly Green Giant. (sarcasm intended)

The New York Times reported those little boxes of stupid (that spew consumer propaganda) are now the single largest electricity drain in a household in the US. ~~Congratulations, lemmings~~. Edited because it seemedt too damn distracting for some

One high-definition DVR and one high-definition cable box use an average of 446 kilowatt hours a year — about 10 percent more than a 21-cubic-foot energy-efficient refrigerator, a recent study found.

These set-top boxes are energy hogs mostly because their drives, tuners and other components are generally running full tilt, or nearly so, 24 hours a day, even when not in active use, the Times writes.

A study by the Natural Resources Defense Council said the boxes consumed $3 billion in electricity per year in the United States — and that 66 percent of that power is wasted when no one is watching and shows are not being recorded, the Times writes.

Observation and question: When my wife and I decided to stop using the drug known on the streets as "cable", and found other ways of leisure entertainment, we found we had enough time to start a business, grow it to TWO businesses with a payroll of over 50 people, and now run one of the hottest restaurant/clubs in Atlanta, GA. My observation and opinion is that decision and the result enjoy causational relationship. We found we simply had more time to be productive.

My questions (pick one or more, as you can handle): Is this new information enough to make you finally quit? Do you think you can quit "cable"? After reading this can you tell the cable/dish conglomerate to fuck off? If you find you can't, or even find yourself defending the relationship do you think you are taking the 'high road'? Are you sitting there, reading this, while mindlessly consuming something that was advertised and purchased? What would you do with the time you save if you could quit?

BONUS: Do you think if you ever wake up and realize how much bullshit you are sold in any given day, you may re-examine your opinion of who really 'represents' your values in government?

ETA for clarification: No, I'm not 'better than you' because I don't watch drivel. But I have bettered myself as a member of society, and if you can't handle that, that is on you, not me. I have no problem with leisure time as a concept. I don't care how you spend your leisure time. It would be nice if your leisurely activities would reduce your energy consumption. Everyone benefits when there is more productivity and less consumption. But feel free to consume more than you fair share or not.

Mood: contemplative

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

From:

nano-muse.livejournal.com

My family quit cable ages ago. It saved us about $60/month or whatever it was we were paying by then, and quitting probably gave us an hour or two of kill time back to play with.

But we didn't really watch much TV to begin with, so time-wise it didn't do much for us. :P

From:

pastorlenny.livejournal.com

After reading this can you tell the cable/dish conglomerate to fuck off?

What do you mean by "conglomerate?"

I run two organizations and still manage to have time for Louis CK and Charlie Rose.

But that's a good tip about actually hitting the "off" button on the box -- instead of just flicking off the TV.

From:

xforge.livejournal.com

::nod:: I always make sure the box is off when I leave the room. I dunno if ours is out of the ordinary but it does go into sleep mode if you leave it sit a while.

the off button

From:

russj.livejournal.com - Date: 27/6/11 18:40 (UTC) - Expand

Re: the off button

From:

xforge.livejournal.com - Date: 27/6/11 18:46 (UTC) - Expand

From:

qnetter

In what way is running a "hottest club" being productive? Finding a way to make money off getting other people to waste time and get drunk, you mean?

From:

rick-day.livejournal.com

Being productive is paying taxes and employing people so they can pay their taxes too.

Contributing to the well being of society by creating and maintaining a legally licensed place of assembly, a (restaurant that happens to hold almost 2000), so that people can safely and peacefully assemble, to mutually enjoy a form of entertainment, is a service to certain communities.

Oh, the other business (the original one next door to the restaurant) is a convention center where we host gay weddings, church services, as well as a teen rock camp. Oh, and artist showcases, fashion shows, art showings, that kind of stuff. I do hope that meets your narrow definitions of productivity.

You really had to 'go there' didn't you Jealous Judy?

So what do you do to be productive?