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What are the benefits of turning off your TV?

Helen
4 min readJun 27, 2024

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One of the main reasons why watching television is considered unproductive is the amount of electricity it consumes. In the given example, the author mentions having two televisions that were on for an average of four hours a day. This translates to a significant amount of electricity being used, which can have a negative impact on both the environment and the individual’s finances. By calculating the energy consumption based on the wattage of each television and the cost per kilowatt hour, it is estimated that over a kilowatt hour is used each day, resulting in an additional expense of $40 per year. This highlights the hidden cost of watching television and emphasizes the potential savings that can be achieved by turning it off.

Another aspect that makes watching television unproductive is the time it consumes. The author suggests that individuals spend a minimum of 30 minutes watching television, while some may spend several hours per day. This raises the question of what else could be done with that time. Instead of passively sitting in front of a screen, engaging in activities that are more productive and fulfilling can be a better use of one’s time. Whether it is pursuing a hobby, spending time with loved ones, exercising, or learning something new, there are countless alternatives that can contribute to personal growth and well-being.

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Helen
Helen

Written by Helen

I’m a board member for the Harvard Creative Writing Collective and an outreach associate director for Harvard Women in Computer Science.

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