Entertainment? 'IN'tertainment? Internet?

I start with an irony but I am assuming it makes it easier for us to understand. Google tells me that the term ‘entertainment’ stands for – the action of providing or being provided with amusement and enjoyment. Note that it doesn’t mention a source for this amusement and enjoyment.

You know what I could have done?
I could have opened that big fat dictionary of mine to find out the meaning of ‘entertainment’. But, I didn’t.

Photo source: movietvtechgeeks.com

I remember, the first time a computer entered my household, it was because of the influence of advertisements on one of the ‘screens’ of the house. This screen is called the ‘Television’.

And then came another screen, it’s called the computer.

We had a cable connection for our television and then came an ‘internet’ connection for our computers.

You’re even reading this on the internet.

In 2013, the entertainment industry gave us ‘Web Junkie’, a documentary made by the filmmakers --Hilla Medalia and Shosh Shlam. The film is based on the Chinese government declaring the ‘Internet’ as an addiction. One of the very first countries to do so. According to the documentary plot, Chinese teenagers were the worst affected due to this addiction. It is not just about the addiction solely, but the nerve wrecking footage taken over a span of 2 years tells us what China has been doing to get a cure for this addiction.

Our laptops, computer systems and in the recent past – our phones are quite the fancy things we require. Our source of entertainment is films, music, books, poetry and all that falls under the umbrella term ‘culture’. Doesn’t it?


Then what is YouTube, Torrent and Hotstar and of course other similar portals we still don’t know of?  There was a time when we needed the internet for our school assignments and projects only and then there is NOW – where we need the internet: for not wanting to pay for movie tickets, for not wanting to pay for music albums and cassettes.

Don’t all of us “binge-watch” TV-series and play online games (Oh! I know about League of Legends) just to fulfil the purpose of spending a day at home to relax?

Unfortunately, you probably do one of the following things:

1. Ignore physical and social interaction.
2. Look like a zombie by the end of the day.
3. Encourage piracy while you’re under the impression that you’re chilling.

Do yourself a favour and don’t let yourself get those deep dark circles under your eyes. If you do, help yourself make a purchase of worth a lot of money for the DARK CIRCLES CREAM.

DING DING DING – “CONSUMER TRAPS” ARE HERE!

This industry is diverse and so widespread that in order to restrict it within bounds is an impossible task. The nature of this issue is open-ended and that’s probably why each individual must be independently opinionated.

IS THE SPECTATOR A CONSUMER ‘ONLY’? OR IS THE CONSUMER A SPECTATOR?

THE INTERNET IS ENTERTAINMENT? OR IS ENTERTAINMENT THE INTERNET?

More importantly, Are you a Web Junkie?


Written by Smita Ganguli
Aspiring cyber journalist but too damn opinionated.