* On Tue Aug-02-2005 at 03:41:42 PM -0400, Matt Randolph said:
> Duncan wrote:
[...]
> >I've grown to despise the lack of control one has over a TV program, and
> >the fact that the programmers must cater to their paying customers, the
> >advertisers, which in turn are happiest with the zombies easiest
> >programmed to buy their warez even when they are twice the cost or more of
> >the generic brand and even when they don't need them and can't really
> >afford them.  Thus, there's actually a DIS-incentive to program for the
> >discerning intellect -- those that actually /like/ to think, and can't be
> >so easily programmed to buy expensive stuff they don't need.
> >
> A little off topic, but I'll be brief:
[...]
> You may be missing out on those few shows that are actually well 
> written.  On the other hand, it is probably better for your health to 
> simply do without TV altogether.
> 
> I find it extremely entertaining that you (apparently) have Cox cable 
> internet, and yet you have no TV to speak of.  More power to you.

I haven't had cable TV in years. I too despise advertisements. Most of
them are insulting at best. My ISP is the local cable provider, Shaw,
and they called me up to offer me $10/month cable television service.
The lady was shocked I didn't have cable, and even more shocked when I
asked why I would want to pay for commercials. (radio is free is it
not? greedy cable companies!) If I had the money for a nice HTPC and
a fine selection of channels then I would probably get cable. However, I
have no desire to sit and channel surf through piles of ads. As you
said, we are missing out on the _few_ shows that are well written. Not
to mention movies.

-- 
Sami Samhuri