Tinky Winky Agonistes

New at Reason: Jacob Sullum protects the children from TV-hating hysterics.

Comments

[Trey]

I'd like to see a report on the effects of children's programming on adults. We definitely need another TV...

Am I the only one that thinks that Spot is a stuck up little wiener? I hate that cute little guy.

[mike]

Well, I hope Tim is going to revise his views now that he's aware of the SpongeBob menace.

[Jon H]

I'm surprised Jacob isn't suggesting that small children be provided with methadone to go along with their videos.

[Anonymous]

When I was a kid I liked viewing the Bugs Bunny, Foghorn Leghorn, Road Runner, and Pink Panther cartoons most. Viewing these dramas where the hero either triumphs or get crushed by a falling metal safe got me interesting in science, engineering, and ingenuity.

I have noticed that the story in most of the modern cartoons is weighted more towards cooperation than think-for-yourself survival. Bugs never sought the opinion of others on how to save his own skin. Sponge Bob likes to have a committee meeting before making any such decision.

There?s a time and place for both individualism and cooperation. I think a smattering of Sponge Bob and Bugs Bunny would be valuable to a youngster.

jdog

[Ig]

While I am largely in agreement with Mr. Sullum's take on the typical "shockumentary-esque" response to the report, there are problems with the "TV-setter" child rearing technique. As with all things, the problem lies in the inability of many parents to grasp the "all things in moderation" idea. As the parent of kids aged 3-15, I have witnesses an astounding number of parents over the years whose entire parenting philosophy is "anything that keeps the kid occupied and out of my hair is a good thing". Obviously the TV is the easiest answer. As usual the big debate is over wether or not "TV" is a bad thing, and like several other "bad things" how should our parent/government (terms fast becoming interchangeable) protect us. (I.E.:fatty foods, pornography, guns, etc...)
Someday, if enough of us actually raise our children ourselves rather than toting them off to daycare or plunking them down in front of the surrogate video parent, there will exist a generation of people who are willing to take responsibility for their own actions and won't need the Gov. to save them from their own lack of personal discipline... 'hyeah, and there will be a Libertarian in the White House too! AS IF!!

[Steve-O's woman]

My parents were very much of the "anything that keeps them out of my hair" school. Out of the house, in fact. I spent my childhood cheating death from snakes, fast-moving water, angry bovines, and so on.

[Steve-O's woman]

My parents were very much of the "anything that keeps them out of my hair" school. Out of the house, in fact. I spent my childhood cheating death from snakes, fast-moving water, angry bovines, and so on.