They call it 'programming' for a reason!
You hit the nail on the head with this one. Television absolutely influence's our minds and emotional states, mostly in a negative fashion. It splinters the mind and distorts our view of reality through the pre-packaged filter that's designed to sell you all sorts of junk.
Great inclusion of 'The Century of the Self'! That's one of my all-time favorite documentaries, and Curtis is a prolific film-maker of relevant and useful pieces.
fantastic point colin. also great point re Splintering the mind. certainly distracts from ourselves! glad to hear you love that doc... didn't know he made other things as well- thanks!