Points of connection

This is a reaction to an increasing number of comments I have heard in the past few weeks about the growing importance of television during an economic crisis. It goes something like this: Because family incomes are decreasing and our ability to make discretionary expenditures is shrinking, inexpensive or free entertainment becomes even more important during an economic contraction. It gives a down and out population of millions something to do. There are a few problems with this reasoning. 

The first is the assumption that television is inexpensive or free.  In fact, I can buy a week's worth of groceries with my family's monthly basic cable bill. If I pile on netflicks or blockbuster expenses for the month, I can afford quality of life necessities like good coffee and wine. The alternative to this monthly expense is to lose the cable, the netflicks and the blockbuster and instead visit my local library for free dvds and high-speed internet.

The second is the assumption that television is actually entertaining when, in our heart of hearts, we know that it only provides us with an alternate way of being bored. 

Third, it is my opinion that, presently, discretionary income is better used in buying up a large reserve of dry and canned goods, or stashing into a "rainy day fund" that protects against job loss. After you have a good year's worth of food in your pantry and six months to a year's worth of savings to replace potential income losses, then you have discretionary income once again.

Economic contraction does not need to mean social contraction and isolation. Get out and connect with people--this can be so much more fulfilling than sitting at home watching the tube. And points of connection can be very inexpensive. Here's my short list:

1) meet over a cup of coffee

2) hiking a local nature trail

3) book club meeting

4) volunteer...anywhere

5) religious gatherings

6) a potluck celebration (winter solstice is right around the corner)

7) see a local band

8) organize a byob wine tasting

9) join a writers/musician/dance/theater troupe

10) start or join a political action group to influence local government

11) gather some friends and attend a local sporting event (high school or local college events tend to be quite cheap)

12) host a game night at your house (cards, scrabble, risk, sudden death checkers...)

13) organize an environmental clean up party

14) start a monthly dance party--reserve a free space (at city hall, a park, a library conference room "after hours," or at someones home) every couple pitches in $10-$20 or so to provide refreshments and pay the band.

15) organize a star-gazing party (a telescope, a clear sky, a blanket to lay on and refreshments) 

The possibilities are really endless -- the point is to fight the urge to isolate yourself as the economy shrinks. Most of us organized our weekly outings around consumption--it became a habit that when we "went out" we were going out to spend money. But when money gets tight, we are at a loss as to what to do with ourselves. TV is not the answer. Getting out and expanding our social network of friends, family and acquaintances is not only more rewarding than an evening spent watching TV, it may become vital to the short-term survival and, when the time comes, renewal of our communities.