Isaac Stein ’12
Staff Writer

J.J. Mathewson ’12 manages to make time for an hour of TV on most weekdays, but warns of its potential effect on schoolwork.

“Generally, my designated TV-watching time is fantastic, but when I have a lot of work I end up rushing it so I can go watch television. Sometimes I think the work I hand in would be of higher quality if I didn’t feel like I needed that hour,” said Mathewson.

Mathewson, like several other students, has a TV in his bedroom. Some students and faculty believe that in-room televisions are a distraction, while others believe it isn’t a problem at all.

“If you’re responsible enough, it’s fine to have a TV in your room,” said William Ritter ’12. “It really just depends on the person.”

Griffen Gallagher ’12 offers a contrasting opinion to Ritter’s, stating that having a TV in his room would only end up serving as a distraction.

“If I had a TV in my room, I’d probably never go to sleep,” said Gallagher.

Michael Fulton, an English teacher at Staples, had similar sentiments to Gallagher.

“Personally, if there was a television in my room I’d stay up much later than intended— and I think that applies to the students as well,” said Fulton.

In the “digital age,” the creation of certain websites has made it possible for movies, reality shows, and sports broadcasts to be relayed in their full length over the Internet, potentially obscuring the function of television. However, some find solace in just sitting down and watching the tube.

Gabrielle Wimer ’12 thinks that it is simply more convenient to watch television than to watch shows over the Internet.

“The majority of people I know, including myself, still enjoy watching TV, and even though it is possible to watch many shows and movies on the internet, with the creation of Hulu and YouTube™, It is still easier to watch TV,” said Wimer.

Mathewson agrees with Wimer, and offers another reason why one might stick to TV.

“TV is a lot more convenient than online streaming, which boasts being free, but in reality much of the time the only things you can watch are short clips or a very small segments of full length videos,” said Mathewson.

Whether or not the Internet surpasses cable in terms of viewership, television shows will still be watched, even at Staples.

Regardless of what program they tune in to, students still revere the art of depressurizing by watching TV— even if it isn’t entirely productive.