Watching TV has turned into a generational epidemic

You can find most adults watching TV in a public places like gyms and restaurants, where it towers over patrons, casting an omniscient presence. 

Know who I feel bad for? The Boomers. No, really, I do. Every morning, I’m at the gym, and every morning I see the same thing: NBC or Fox News on the big screen TV bolted to the wall and overlooking the gym like an omniscient presence.

At least one member’s on the bike with their head turned toward the TV. Gazing mindlessly at the next batch of depressing news stories that never get old until the next round of depressing news stories force their way in.

Know what else I see? Another older member who angles the bike toward the TV, so they too can watch the news. Often, it’s the same people, at different times, all looking upward at a moving picture that shouldn’t have an iota of an effect on their happiness and well-being.

Then, there’s the guy I call Salazar Slytherin, due to his resemblance to the legendary off-screen Harry Potter character. Between sets, he walks over and stares at the TV with narrowed eyes. Or, he’ll just view it from a distance, constantly rubbing his hands together in a nervous tick.

No, it ain’t just Boomers, so don’t go there

“Oh, so the Boomers are alone, huh, TC?” No. Not by a longshot. Is gazing up at that giant overlord of a flat-screen more common among their generation?

In my experience. But it’s not exclusive.

Nah, I know a guy who’s middle-aged. The first thing he does upon coming into the gym, before anything else, involves grabbing the remote. He’ll flip on Fox News, then repeat the talking points (often in a rage) to anyone who’ll listen.

And yep, youngsters do the same. People my age (34) find something on that old tube that catches their eye. Then they stare before often tightening their face and shaking their heads.

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