Dear Nathan,

Here's a link that's worth a read:

http://thecoversation.com/factcheck-qanda-has-confidence-in-the-media-in-australia-dropped-lower-than-in-the-united-states-74930

//I am also at the point of considering getting rid of my television set...//

I think that's a fine idea. I didn't have a television until 2000 (I wanted to watch the Sydney Olympics) and I don't think it did me any harm. Indeed, I think it did me a lot of good.

Whilst quality television can compete with quality books, there are far fewer quality television programs. And even the very highest quality of television fades into mediocrity when compared against the best books.

Buy yourself a nice Penguin Classic instead (other cheap classics are available). I recommend something by AC Doyle or HG Wells.

'No, girls, you really do not want to be treated like boys.'

Gillard found out the hard way that if treated like a man her life would be much tougher.

leoj,

<<Jump on Google for one of the free, short uni courses available...>>

Thank you for that suggestion.

TTBN,

<<Read books, Nathan. Read books>>

Yes, that is what I am more likely to be doing from now on. I find a lot of Library books to be of better value than television and I can borrow a large number of books throughout the year. Also for example with cookbooks I can borrow and return, I can also undertake physical activities as well.

Foxy,

I can't just keep watching a few programs on television or read newspapers for much longer. Newspapers now are nothing much more than stories based around advertising, compared to earlier times, when all of the advertising was on the front page for example.

Newspapers later started to realise this wasn't providing enough value for advertisers, so this practice was dropped when people simply turned over the front page to read stories.

Stories are now thrown out, for full page advertisements with many newspapers cutting out elements of stories, to the detriment of readers.

Some have said to me newspapers will be gone in about 10-15 years and totally agree with that, as young people are simply not buying them. Many newspapers simply have nothing much to read in them.

Also going to the Adelaide Film Festival this week and next week, although I have paid for five tickets, all documentaries and films have been excellent. One example: https://vimeo.com/231995939

Dear Nathan,

Sounds like you've got things pretty much under
control. I can't argue with the sheer pleasure
that seeing a good film can bring nor for that
matter - reading a good book.

I wish you all the best.

Take care.

Dear Nathan,

«I am also at the point of considering getting rid of my television set and avoiding media in principle.»

Congratulations! I never had one.

Sometimes it is a good idea to know the weather-forecast (whether to hang the laundry). It's also a good idea to keep track of changes in the law, just in case you get arrested without knowing why. Listening to the ABC radio-news on the hour once or twice a day should do the trick, you don't really need any more.