Question from Mar.- Better off with out TV

My good friend Mar (who also writes on another site) gave me this question.

What would happen if people suddenly lost interest in television and the internet and suddenly became (more) interested in books? Would we be better off? Would there be war? Can you really answer these questions in a no-nonsense, completely feasible way?

My answer might surprise you but, I think that world is a better place because of TV and the internet. Sure, there are draw backs. Sure TV depicts violence and sex. There is porn on the internet and the freedom can make some a little crazy.
The fast is- we know more about the world and other people around the world than ever before. It has made the world a smaller place. We get to see and hear about the stuff that happens almost as soon as it happens, by the people who are experiencing it. Sure, it can be over whelming. Sure, we can numb to it all. As we get better and better about how to file all the information we receive in a day in our brain then, we can full use the potential that TV and the Internet has to offer. We can be as informed as we want to be. That is truly fantastic. That is really the beginning of a free world.
Books are great! I love books. But, while many see TV as competition to books, they really serve a different purpose (yet similar). Yes they are informative and entertaining. They are like a movie you can pick up at anytime. They give you insight into a person, place, or event. They were never meant to keep you updated on the most current events. They go deeper. They give you background.
A well read person will not only read books. Then even if you have read a thousand books you are not truly "well read" unless you are open to all types of publications. You should have a foot in what is really going on it the world.