Caring is sharing the stuff of series
From Mad Men to Game of Thrones, flinging ourselves down the TV rabbit hole - and then talking about it - is a distraction from life’s stresses, writes Sean O'Connor
How did the TV series that you are watching become a bona fide conversation topic? The usual riveting candidates for discussion — how the kids are doing; white monopoly capital; the state of higher, primary and secondary education; car suspension; guns; when will Zuma & Co go (they won’t); and who is coming to plunder next — offer a small pause for distraction. There is a correlation between what is going on in the world and our desire to fling ourselves down the rabbit hole of a TV screen (or any screen), for hours. That is the distraction. Life is too serious. The subject seems to come up, like a dead fish floating to the surface, whenever two or more people gather. "Have you watched XYZ yet? ... No?! Oh my Gupta! You have to, it’s this incredibly shot Scandinavian/gritty French drama about this amnesiac killer/vanishing children/zombie pensioners/clean politicians. "You’ll love it!" (There are series about clean politicians, but none made locally.) Perhaps the "TV series as conve...
Would you like to comment on this article?
Sign up (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.
Subscribe now to unlock this article.
Support BusinessLIVE’s award-winning journalism for R129 per month (digital access only).
There’s never been a more important time to support independent journalism in SA. Our subscription packages now offer an ad-free experience for readers.
Cancel anytime.
Questions? Email helpdesk@businesslive.co.za or call 0860 52 52 00. Got a subscription voucher? Redeem it now.