It's probably not library-material, but I just finished Battle Royale by Koshun Takami and couldn't recommend it more.

Yeah I have the Battle Royale movie on DVD and some of the comics but I should get the book.

How about you read the book "Wicked" that I loaned to you almost 6 months ago????? I promise it is a great book, It is one of my favorites.

Does a PS2 count as "watching TV"?

I'm all for this lofty "don't watch TV" goal, but I'd be more interested if it didn't fall during the peak of the NHL playoffs each year. Instead of a "don't watch TV" week, it'd be better if they declared the whole of the summer tv-free. Besides, there's nothing to watch in July and August anyway.

Aw crap. I just realized that it TV Turn Off week was LAST week. I suck.

Stick with it! Turning of for YOUR week is just as good.

In the meantime, try reading Cory Doctorow's stuff. I highly recommend Down and Out in the Magic Kingdom, ( http://craphound.org/down/ ) followed by Eastern Standard Tribe. ( http://craphound.org/est/ )

EST is a great one-sitting read if you've got 4 or 5 hours to kill.

Oh, that and they're both free and available online, so you can keep being a couch (or computer chair) potato or take it to the park on your PDA, using another great open source tool for windows, Plucker ( http://www.plkr.org )

"High Score! The Illustrated History of Electronic Games"
-Great coffee table book that actually makes for some excellent cover to cover casual reading.

"You Cannot Be Serious" by John McEnroe
-Maybe only worth reading if you're into tennis, but the whole book was very interesting.

I already planned to not do this. Have some books on Linux I've planned to read this week. Jake, could you do me a favor if you don't mind. Email me the HTML for your design template and pictures you used? I'd really appriciate it if you don't mind me ripping off your page. Thanks. ^_^

Hey, I haven't had TV for ages. Guess what, I don't miss it! Granted, I miss some shows, but for the most part I'm happy not watching TV.

TV to me is defined by mass broadcasting. If you choose what you watch, when you watch it, and without commercials then it's no longer TV. Tivo is the prime example of TV without TV. Though, I am compelled to say that the shows themselves fit into corporate propaganda and advertising. I would say that playing any game system or watching a DVD is not watching TV.

Otherwise they'd call it CRT Turnoff Week
=)

I love my HDTV, but I hate television programming, I feel my TV is tainted with it's built in tuner. It could be a CRT and I'd be happy!

If you haven't already, read Orwell's Ninteen Eighty Four. I figure if you liked Battle Royale, you'll enjoy it.

Oh yes I have read 1984 several times. It is more relivant than ever.

dude, let me tell you... my tv consumption has drastically decreased and i have noticed a difference. however, my "screen time" is about the same - that is, sitting in front of my computer. i'm semi-convinced that there isn't much of a difference between the two. but yes, cutting the telly out is a very healthy move. good job dude. =)

I disagree. I think the Internet provides a much more nutritious media consumption breakfast than the same amount of time watching TV. The Internet can inspire change, research and can connect people in ways that we have never seen before.

TV is mostly sedative in nature and there is a impotance drug ad every five minutes.

Yeah! The internet is interactive, where the TV isn't. I've seen many young people do some very creative things on the internet that I bet they wouldn't be doing if all they had was TV.

Hahaha, I love the impotence tie in to TV consumption! Impotence is mainly mental, and if nothings going on up the noggin, then there's nothing going on down there. IMO.

They guy in the picture looks like Jake. I don't get cable anymore and I don't miss it. And I really don't miss the monthly bills. I have an antenna which is free and there seems to be just as much on as there was when I got 60 channels. Well, I do miss seing Crank Yankers and Space Ghost once in a while.