We need to have a talk about viewing habits.
Netflix and other streaming services have become the new staple in media consumption because of it’s low prices and on-demand access to massive collections of media. For just a few dollars a month, we have access to more media than we could actually consume in a lifetime.
Anything with commercials seems too slow now that we can go straight through without even stopping unless we chose to take a bathroom or snack break.
Netflix has proudly proclaimed that binge watching has become the new normal. They also continue to make it easier to watch the next episode with automatic play, so indulging in aecidia is a truly passive activity.
Is Binge Watching Wrong?
Most of us start watching simply because we want a little break from the hectic schedules and high pressures of life. Innocent intentions seeking needed rest and time of leisure. Just like everything else, it needs moderation and temperance.
There were various studies earlier this year that revealed a connection in between binge watching and depression. The emphasis is on connection, not causation, but the tie is an indicator of what compels us to watch for so many hours on end.
Escapism is a useful tool we use to find mental balance, but it can also be dangerous when we use it to avoid our responsibilities and relationships.
“Habit, if not resisted, soon becomes necessity.”
-St. Augustine
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