Cohousing-L Mailing List: No common TV?

[Natalie & Jerry McIntire (natandjer]

I'm curious about the issue of TV as someone interested in moving into a
cohousing community.  One of the many reasons we're interested in cohousing
is the possibility of conserving resources.  For a long time we didn't have
a TV and recently got one that we only watch occasional movies on.  I had
always hoped that in cohousing there might be a TV in common space which
could mean that fewer of the members had one in their private homes.
(Hoping also that there could be fewer lawn mowers, power tools, etc. that
instead could be shared by the community.) Not only would this save on
individual financial resources and the worlds energy resources, but could
also foster a much healthier way to watch TV - in groups where sociallizing
and discussion could add to the benefits.  I am surprised to find out that
this is in fact the opposite of what happens in many communities with no
common TV and many private ones.  Any thoughts on this?  Maybe a common TV
could be kept in a closet an only brought out when it was used.  Would this
aleviate some concerns.?

Natalie McIntire
Hoping we can find or create a cohousing group following our move West this
summer.

 5/29/01 1:01 PM, cohousing-l-request [at] cohousing.org at
cohousing-l-request [at] cohousing.org wrote:

> On another note, many communities don't allow TV in the CH. We have had a TV
> in the teen room for most of the time we have lived here, but without cable.
> Since we don't get reception here, it has meant that we only watch the
> occasional movie.
> 
> Since the teen room is up a flight of stairs, it is not accessible. So we
> are on the brink of deciding to get a TV for downstairs. IMO, communities
> get way too uptight about having TV in the CH. Most of us have one at home,
> so what's the big deal? Wouldn't it be less isolating if watching TV were a
> group activity? Especially on big days like the Superbowl, when we want to
> watch TV together, we have to crowd into someone's house.
> 
> What are some reasons people have decided to ban the TV from their
> commonhouses? What impact has it had on commonhouse use? What mitigation
> and/or rules do you have to govern use?
> 
> I think new groups and old should discuss this issue. It probably has more
> impact than most people think on the use of the commonhouse and the tenor of
> the community.
> 
> --
> Liz Stevenson
> Southside Park Cohousing
> Sacramento, California

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