U.S. Culture Report
In 2011, statistics had shown that 96.7% of homes in the United States owned a television. At this high rate, you can assume almost everyone in the U.S. has watched television at least once in their lifetime. We watch television for many different reasons such as enjoyment, education, or to keep up with current events. But do we really know how it got started? Television is played all day, and despite what you may think, what’s shown at different times is tailored to how we watch. There is a time referred to as “prime time” in which popular shows and programs are shown. In addition to this, there are the top three popular television networks that are popular for one reason, the people. We are the pure reason television is alive.
As humans, we like being entertained. From childbirth to our deathbeds we all do something to keep us occupied. For some, the choice is television. The origin of television started as a simple radio show. Before we had the luxury of watching people as they talked, we just listened. Radios were portable, affordable, and easy to use. The only unreliable component was the antenna. These helped pick up the radio waves from the surrounding area that came from a broadcasting tower. The “headquarters”, or where the program is being recorded has a broadcasting tower which emanates the radio waves. This is how people used to get their entertainment. Now, we have many more options than just our regular T.V. The Internet has opened up other platforms for watching television like Hulu, Netflix, and other libraries of programs. But those who like watching in the traditional way, usually have to deal with a pesky schedule.
When you see advertisements for a show, you usually hear the words “Eight, seven central.” Have you ever wondered why or what it means? Well, television networks like ABC, CBS, FOX, and smaller networks all have a certain schedule. A day starts with a “news” type program to cater to the early rising adults who need basic information about the day. Then in the late morning/early afternoon, talk shows start to air, as well as infomercials. Infomercials, or paid programming, are used to pass the time and still sell a product. This all leads up to the time where viewing is more common, the evening. Due to the time differences on the sides of the country, the time is eight for the east coast and seven for the west coast or 8/7c. This is called “prime time”. The most popular shows’ newest episodes are aired during these hours. For example, “Once Upon A Time” or “NCIS” are prime time shows. Afterwards, viewing declines yet again and a new program is put on. The next shows up are the late night shows. For example, “The Late Show with Stephen Colbert” airs on CBS. Going into the very early morning of the next day, the news for the previous day is played, and then the cycle starts over yet again. The power that fuels this “mill”, if you will, is you.
If you’ve ever watched a show when it first aired, you’ve seen a pilot episode. Pilot episodes are used to “test the waters”, or see how people like it. The show continues not only because of the opinions of the show, but the views. We, the American people, keep shows that entertain us, alive. Big television creators and network owners monitor what we like and cater to our wants and needs. Some people may not realize it, but we have more of a say in what is on television than we think. We have the freedom to protest against a show by boycotting it, we just have to make the right moves. The entertainment business may be hard, but it’s not complicated.
In conclusion, there’s not much to American television, we just like to be entertained. Americans also like to be in control, so we have a say in what we want to watch. Creators of such shows also cater to when we want to watch, to bring in more views. From such humble beginnings, we’ve evolved into many versatile platforms that let us watch television even when we don’t have cable or even a television! When you think about how some of our classic shows began, we have really improved a lot. From just sound, to moving pictures with sound, then colored pictures with sound, and finally 3-D colored pictures with sound, we have gone above and beyond for technology. All of this is for one reason, we like to be entertained.
In 2011, statistics had shown that 96.7% of homes in the United States owned a television. At this high rate, you can assume almost everyone in the U.S. has watched television at least once in their lifetime. We watch television for many different reasons such as enjoyment, education, or to keep up with current events. But do we really know how it got started? Television is played all day, and despite what you may think, what’s shown at different times is tailored to how we watch. There is a time referred to as “prime time” in which popular shows and programs are shown. In addition to this, there are the top three popular television networks that are popular for one reason, the people. We are the pure reason television is alive.
As humans, we like being entertained. From childbirth to our deathbeds we all do something to keep us occupied. For some, the choice is television. The origin of television started as a simple radio show. Before we had the luxury of watching people as they talked, we just listened. Radios were portable, affordable, and easy to use. The only unreliable component was the antenna. These helped pick up the radio waves from the surrounding area that came from a broadcasting tower. The “headquarters”, or where the program is being recorded has a broadcasting tower which emanates the radio waves. This is how people used to get their entertainment. Now, we have many more options than just our regular T.V. The Internet has opened up other platforms for watching television like Hulu, Netflix, and other libraries of programs. But those who like watching in the traditional way, usually have to deal with a pesky schedule.
When you see advertisements for a show, you usually hear the words “Eight, seven central.” Have you ever wondered why or what it means? Well, television networks like ABC, CBS, FOX, and smaller networks all have a certain schedule. A day starts with a “news” type program to cater to the early rising adults who need basic information about the day. Then in the late morning/early afternoon, talk shows start to air, as well as infomercials. Infomercials, or paid programming, are used to pass the time and still sell a product. This all leads up to the time where viewing is more common, the evening. Due to the time differences on the sides of the country, the time is eight for the east coast and seven for the west coast or 8/7c. This is called “prime time”. The most popular shows’ newest episodes are aired during these hours. For example, “Once Upon A Time” or “NCIS” are prime time shows. Afterwards, viewing declines yet again and a new program is put on. The next shows up are the late night shows. For example, “The Late Show with Stephen Colbert” airs on CBS. Going into the very early morning of the next day, the news for the previous day is played, and then the cycle starts over yet again. The power that fuels this “mill”, if you will, is you.
If you’ve ever watched a show when it first aired, you’ve seen a pilot episode. Pilot episodes are used to “test the waters”, or see how people like it. The show continues not only because of the opinions of the show, but the views. We, the American people, keep shows that entertain us, alive. Big television creators and network owners monitor what we like and cater to our wants and needs. Some people may not realize it, but we have more of a say in what is on television than we think. We have the freedom to protest against a show by boycotting it, we just have to make the right moves. The entertainment business may be hard, but it’s not complicated.
In conclusion, there’s not much to American television, we just like to be entertained. Americans also like to be in control, so we have a say in what we want to watch. Creators of such shows also cater to when we want to watch, to bring in more views. From such humble beginnings, we’ve evolved into many versatile platforms that let us watch television even when we don’t have cable or even a television! When you think about how some of our classic shows began, we have really improved a lot. From just sound, to moving pictures with sound, then colored pictures with sound, and finally 3-D colored pictures with sound, we have gone above and beyond for technology. All of this is for one reason, we like to be entertained.
Above is my report on "American Television" for History class. I chose this subject because it was very interesting to me and is a big part of what I do in my down time.
Quote Essay
Aesop once said, “No act of kindness, no matter how small, is ever wasted.” What have you done lately for someone? Small acts of kindness can be commonly overlooked these days, yet their various effects are more powerful than some think. A saying to put this into perspective would be “Your life is a snapshot of a bigger picture.” Using your life to better another’s could inspire more people to do so. A simple “Thank you!” or “Good morning!” could make someone’s day brighter. No matter their reaction, you still did a good thing. But, the most important thing to remember when doing this is that the thought is what counts.
When you do something nice for someone, like open a door for them, what do you feel? Would you feel gratitude, happiness, or accomplished? These emotions are associated with the core part of everyone to care about others. Before you opened the door or picked up a piece of paper, you thought about doing something as a service to others. A couple of kind words can improve a person’s mood and they could remember what you did for them. A little can go a long way as far as actions. After all, people do think actions speak louder than words. This metaphor has a great amount of meaning, just like a small act. This same small act can ricochet from one life to another.
Influence of others can be very strong, especially with children. From a young age, children are influenced from the people around them and their environment. The surrounding people have a choice to either lead them down the right path, or the wrong one. The obvious goal is to have a good influence on them. So, you have reason to do kind acts, Now this isn’t the only reason you should do kind acts. After all, it is about helping others. But while doing kind acts, you don’t only help the one you’re doing the kind act to, you also teach future generations to do the same. The vital thing about performing these kind acts is that they keep going. You can’t be discouraged, even if there is no appreciation.
“With every action there is an equal or opposite reaction.” This is a quote from Isaac Newton’s laws of motion. I would apply this to small acts of kindness. If you do something for another person, you could receive an equal reaction, or the opposite. But no matter what, we just have to brush it off. Even if it hurts to be thanked with such a bad attitude, not everyone will act that way. There are certain people with views that may not be the same, but even if their intentions are bad, yours are good. Nobody can change that but you. Every action and every word you say is worth it in the long run.
Acts of kindness regardless of size always impact someone. No matter the giver or receiver, there is a positive reaction somewhere. By doing kind acts, you can inspire more to do the same as well. No matter the reaction, kind acts come from the goodness of our hearts. In conclusion, all forms of acts of kindness are important, in any situation.
Aesop once said, “No act of kindness, no matter how small, is ever wasted.” What have you done lately for someone? Small acts of kindness can be commonly overlooked these days, yet their various effects are more powerful than some think. A saying to put this into perspective would be “Your life is a snapshot of a bigger picture.” Using your life to better another’s could inspire more people to do so. A simple “Thank you!” or “Good morning!” could make someone’s day brighter. No matter their reaction, you still did a good thing. But, the most important thing to remember when doing this is that the thought is what counts.
When you do something nice for someone, like open a door for them, what do you feel? Would you feel gratitude, happiness, or accomplished? These emotions are associated with the core part of everyone to care about others. Before you opened the door or picked up a piece of paper, you thought about doing something as a service to others. A couple of kind words can improve a person’s mood and they could remember what you did for them. A little can go a long way as far as actions. After all, people do think actions speak louder than words. This metaphor has a great amount of meaning, just like a small act. This same small act can ricochet from one life to another.
Influence of others can be very strong, especially with children. From a young age, children are influenced from the people around them and their environment. The surrounding people have a choice to either lead them down the right path, or the wrong one. The obvious goal is to have a good influence on them. So, you have reason to do kind acts, Now this isn’t the only reason you should do kind acts. After all, it is about helping others. But while doing kind acts, you don’t only help the one you’re doing the kind act to, you also teach future generations to do the same. The vital thing about performing these kind acts is that they keep going. You can’t be discouraged, even if there is no appreciation.
“With every action there is an equal or opposite reaction.” This is a quote from Isaac Newton’s laws of motion. I would apply this to small acts of kindness. If you do something for another person, you could receive an equal reaction, or the opposite. But no matter what, we just have to brush it off. Even if it hurts to be thanked with such a bad attitude, not everyone will act that way. There are certain people with views that may not be the same, but even if their intentions are bad, yours are good. Nobody can change that but you. Every action and every word you say is worth it in the long run.
Acts of kindness regardless of size always impact someone. No matter the giver or receiver, there is a positive reaction somewhere. By doing kind acts, you can inspire more to do the same as well. No matter the reaction, kind acts come from the goodness of our hearts. In conclusion, all forms of acts of kindness are important, in any situation.
Shown above is my Quotes Essay for English class. For this assignment, we had to write about a quote and elaborate on a topic. I chose to write about a quote by Aesop.