Why I Watch What I Watch

I was reading the apostle Paul recently and I encountered this passage from Romans, “For I do not understand my own actions. For I do not do what I want, but I do the very thing I hate.” Romans 7:15 (ESV). Wow, strong right? I can relate to this passage so much and I often ask myself, “Why? Why did I do that?” I often find myself doing things that I abhor and disgust, especially in the realm of television. This realization has led me to write this post, not as someone who is perfect, but rather as someone who has struggled in this area. The purpose of this post is not to condemn or judge, instead it is to inspire thought and consideration. With that, I have 3 main points to communicate: First, popularity is not everything. Second, quality is subsequent. And finally, enrichment is necessary.

Popularity is not everything. I repeat, popularity is NOT EVERYTHING. Deciding what to watch SHOULD NOT be dependent on the popularity of a movie or TV show, but rather on the merits of the film itself. There are many times when I open up Netflix, Disney+, or Prime Video and go straight to the “Top Charts” section, but this habit is by far one of my worst when it comes to media. The reason for this is because popular titles, while generally high quality, often push political agendas and/or ideologies that I strongly disagree with. Despite this, I find myself watching these programs, much to my chagrin. In order to combat this, I now research the movie or show before I watch it, which has given me an opportunity to assess the merits and worldview of said film.

This leads me to my second point: quality is subsequent. The quality of cinematography and dialogue in a show or movie is an important factor to consider when deciding what to watch, however, it is not the end all be all. While these two things can create a wonderful viewing experience, they cannot replace the importance of a deeper meaning and thought-provoking stories and/or ideas. I have found that when I sacrifice a beautiful thought for a better viewing experience, I am giving my time to a black hole, wasting what could’ve been a few hours worth of productive time. The quality of your viewing experience means nothing when there is absolutely nothing of worth to view. Take for instance a zoo enclosure. It is wonderfully crafted, filled with dozens of colorful plants and a realistic depiction of the animal's real-life habitat. The glass is pristine and clear perfect for an amazing view of the animal. There is just one thing missing, the actual animal itself. So, you’ve given a few hours of your time and plenty of your money as well, to enjoy an empty enclosure. This is what you do when you sacrifice deeper meaning for a better viewing experience. You have sacrificed your time to an experience that has given you nothing in return.

This leads to my final point; Enrichment is necessary. If a film is not enriching your life than there is no reason to view it in the first place. I often sacrifice my time to the beast of mediocre entertainment. I turn something on to waste some time, but why do I need to waste time? Ironically enough, I am learning that even free time can be used in a productive and beautiful way. No, I’m not saying that I do extra schoolwork in my free time, but rather I consume entertainment that adds value to my life. More and more I am finding TV shows and movies that are thought provoking and make me accept the beauty in the world around me. An example from my recent life can be found in a show I am currently watching entitled Stranger Things. Now I understand that complex mystery horror shows are not for everyone and I am certainly not recommending this to you (that is unless you do the research I just mentioned), however, this show has taken much of my thought and contemplation in recent weeks. The reason for this is because the show has provoked a question that I continue to reflect on: if the world was crumbling what would be important? This is not the sole reason I am watching this show, but it is a way that the show is adding value to my life. Even though it is not built upon a Christian worldview, it still has truths and questions that are worth asking. This being said, if a show is not adding value to your life, provoking a question, or making you appreciate the world around you then it is not a movie or show worth watching.

I hope that this post has given you some ways to evaluate what you are watching as much as it has convicted me to be more prudent in my decisions!