Not Enough Time in the Day to ... Watch TV.

There is not enough time in the day to work, sleep, eat ... and watch TV.

This has bothered me for a long time.

But you can't live and consume media -- digital or otherwise.

So now comes the latest study from the wizards at Ball State University (make of that rubric what you will).

This outcropping of still-reputable U.S. academia found that the 45-54 age group spends 9.5 hours a day watching TV on one or more screens (TV set, computer or cell phone).

All other age groups, in this study, spent 8.5 hours with TV.

So: How can this really happen?

I like to believe most people are responsible ... and human.

So:

On the responsible end, a wage-earning employee or professional has to spend at least (repeat: at least) eight hours a day on the job. That is, performing profit-producing activities for a profit-seeking organization.

After that, the person has to spend -- supposedly -- another eight (8) hours sleeping, to remain a functional human. Or performance declines.

So, if another 8.5 hours or 9.5 hour is spent watching TV -- on one or more screens -- how is there any time left for any other normal human pursuit?

Such as;

* Talking to a spouse. This can be time-consumptive. * Hugging or kissing a spouse. Less time-consumptive. * Consorting in any other fashion with a spouse. You name it.

Let's get real and just acknowledge that no individual really spends 8 or 9 or more hours truly watching a TV.

The TV may be on. But so is the fireplace, so is the air conditioning (at the same time), and a lot of other homestead and personal activities,

The screen does not have an unbridled hold on anyone's time, most of the time.