Odds are that as you read this, you are within range of at least one television set. Guess what: You can turn it off.
As I write, shortly after dawn, breakfasting in a Hilton frequent-sleeper executive lounge, I’m sandwiched between two wide-screen TVs.
Here’s what’s on, in real time: On my right, Maria Carillo of NBC Sports excitedly delivers the latest on Wimbledon, where nothing much is happening now, other than taking out the trash and cleaning toilets, but where yesterday super-exciting stuff happened, and later today probably even more so! On the screen to my left, one of those John-Edwards-looking news-readers has just cut away from Lady Gaga and looks extraordinarily amused, as if by a novelty. Oh, now he’s cutting to a commercial for Viagra: Guy with a cowboy hat towing a horse trailer behind his manly pickup truck; worked for Marlboro! On the right, a spot for DampRid, with an animated blue jar flying into closets to eliminate musty odors! On the left, Prince Albert is Married! On the right, Bassett’s four-day sale! On the left, Was Casey Anthony Molested by her Father! On the right, Nissan 4-Day July 4 Sale Event! On the left, animated Hershey’s Kisses, hopping merrily in their shiny wrappers from factory to mouth of happy child, giving way to a commercial for Pristiq desvenlafaxine, which seems to help women do yoga!