How Watching TV Together Helps People Bond
TV gets a lot of hate.
Especially in the self-improvement community.
They say that TV rots the brain and programs people for the worst.
I disagree.
I think a poor usage of TV will rot the brain and program people for the worst.
But if you use it correctly, then you will build a closer bond with others.
Content creation is one of the core soft skills that the ArmaniTalks brand covers.
I think creating content is one of the noblest ways to earn money.
You are turning your knowledge and experiences into entertaining content for others.
When others watch it, they are enthralled.
They tell their family about your content.
Soon, their family is bonding and watching your stuff.
Content glues people together.
For a moment in time, they are thinking the same things because they are watching the same things.
Why TV Gets a Bad Rep
TV gets a bad rep because it’s passive.
There are 2 types of consumption methods:
- Active and passive.
Active is when you are participating with the content.
Reading is active because your brain can’t just sit there.
Your brain has to turn the words into images for comprehension.
While TV is passive.
The film director structures the film and presents it to you.
Your brain doesn’t have to work as hard.
That’s why parents always tell their kids to read, but they never tell their kids to watch.
They are subconsciously saying:
‘Do something active, not passive.’
TV is passive for the most part…
But you can turn it into an active form of consumption.
How to Turn TV into Active Consumption
To turn TV from passive to active, invite a friend to watch and talk about the content.
- Hey, what do you think is going to happen next?
- Do you think she made the right choice by popping the balloon on that contestant?
- Why do you like this show again? I hate it!
All these questions allow you guys to talk about the same topic.
Rather than just consuming the content, you 2 are participating with the content.
There’s this show called Pop the Balloon.
Whenever my friend and I watch it, we talk about it.
As we talk, we discuss intersexual dynamics, being vain, and love at first sight.
Sometimes, he jokingly says:
‘We should have a mic set up when we watch these episodes. Our reactions to these episodes are so informative!’
He’s right.
We’ll go down rabbit holes of different psychology principles when watching the show!
We are not passively consuming anything.
Since we are talking, we are being active.
TV Bonds People
Back in the day, we used to watch similar types of content.
In 2007, I knew the general archetype of what people were watching:
- Little kids were watching Nickelodeon or Cartoon Network.
- Teens were watching MTV or VH1.
- Parents were watching CNN or FOX.
Since we had a general understanding of what someone was watching, it was easier to relate to them.
Nowadays, everyone watches different things.
It’s harder to relate.
I was trying to relate to this guy recently and asked him if he’s been watching the Olympics.
‘No,’ he said.
Then I asked what he had been watching.
He started talking about a Brazilian documentary that he’s been consuming.
Huh??
How am I going to relate with him on that?
Nowadays, people find it difficult to connect with others.
We all consume different things.
So, when we sit down and watch the same thing with someone, we are momentarily creating an invisible bond with them.
Couples, friends, and family can all watch the same show.
That’s their show.
Slowly, they build a ritual to watch a new episode whenever it drops.
That’s how they stay glued together.
‘Armani, are you saying watching TV shows is the only way to have similar stuff to talk about with someone?’
Not at all.
There are plenty of ways to relate with someone.
TV is just one of those paths.
How to Properly Watch TV
When you’re watching a TV show together, your goal isn’t to just watch the show.
Your goal is to make some side comments here and there.
If one person is watching and the other person is falling asleep, that’s not a good sign!
That means you 2 are being passive.
When you make side comments, you stay engaged.
You stay active.
Some people don’t like constantly pausing or interrupting the flow of the content, so avoid overdoing it.
Pick and choose when you want to contribute.
There are several types of content where talking is more important than watching.
When I watch the Pop the Balloon show with my friend, I’m there more for the conversation rather than the content.
After we are done watching the content, we feel better.
We feel like we understand each other better.
Movies, TV Shows, and YouTube Clips
There are tons of ways to bond with content.
Tagging each other in memes.
Asking someone to the movies.
And watching a TV show together.
You may be at the stage where you find it difficult to talk to your parents.
Rather than just sitting there in silence, put on something that both of y’all can contribute to.
You can turn down the volume so it’s playing in the background.
For me, my go-to show to watch with the family is Everybody Loves Raymond.
I know my parents used to watch that show, and I currently watch the show.
Whenever there is a quiet moment in our conversation, we will begin watching the show.
Ray will do something silly, we will make a side comment, and the entire room will begin laughing.
We aren’t there for Everybody Loves Raymond first.
It’s just on the back burner.
We are there for the conversations first.
TV gets a bad rep.
But if you use it correctly, then you can use it to build social bonds.
For more insights into content creation, check out the ArmaniTalks Free Daily Newsletter.
– ArmaniTalks 🎙️🔥
