Notes on ideas in
Federation Without Television: the Blossoming Movement

Do you have a copy of the book Federation Without Television: the Blossoming Movement? Here is the place to see the documentation for it. (I tried to cite ideas that did not purely originate in my head. I hope it did this correctly and fully; I apologize for any omissions)

pg 9

"This is because television concentrates and amplifies a lot of which is wrong with society and our dominant paradigms." (The amplify part of this statement, I first heard from one of our original members, named Rhonda.)

pg 11

"Since television is the epitome of popular culture" -- This idea seems to originate in many people's minds.

pg 12

"The vital danger of censorship is not because dirty books are banned, but because iconoclastic political viewpoints are banned, and this is very scary." This is a common idea of many anti-censorship voices.

"The devil is in the box they say." This statement is a variation of Kill Your Television website's perception of Aggressive Christianity's anti-television views (here applied to other similar minded folks too).

pg 14

"Television occupies every sense, but stimulates none of the senses. Books paint an image, which gets your mind going imagining what the author portrays. Although it can be tempting and lazy to desire to see the movie without reading the book, it is not ultimately fulfilling. A majority of the time, a book loses something phenomenally valuable when translated to the medium of television. Almost innately, the tube vilifies masterpieces, glitter and pomp are the motifs of television, not the sublime wholesomeness of classic literary tomes." Teachers often express these ideas when encouraging children to read.

pg 16

"Social evils are aggravated by and magnified on television." This idea is a variation of the quoted idea on pg 10.

pg 17

"Lumpen proletariat” is a term from Marx and was often used by the Black Panthers.

"A fruitless reward of affluence is often a sinful indulgence. Consequently, the poor unable to afford the rich person’s decadent luxury, benefits greatly, showing clearly that the perks of being wealthy are superfluous and can be counterproductive, making us realize what matters most." This is an idea, I believe, I came across most potently in Health Science magazine.

pg 18

"They dropped out of the TV crap culture, but really are not cultivating progressive change." People often have criticized certain communes, because they are isolating themselves from society rather than changing it; this idea I sought to bring forth in this statement, applied specifically to the anti-television movement.

pg 19

"Dropping out is the key to only micro change" is similar to the idea note expressed on pg 18.

pg 21

"Which pretty much makes living in modern society impossible." Critics often criticize primitivists for the inconsistency of their beliefs.

pg 23

The ideas about the productiveness of computers vs. television may stem, to some degree, from Kill Your Television's website's analysis of computers and television, though on this page you will see me apply such a notion personally.

"I ain't the spit wad shooting type of rebel, I rebel intellectually, the most powerful form of rebellion." This idea may have been placed inside me due to a conversation with a professor who made note of how I rebel differently than others.

pg 24

"It's those with minds not arms that petrify the powers that be the most." This is a variation of an idea expressed by many others who suggest that the "battlefield of the mind" is the most important way the system seeks to suppress us.

pg 26

"Nature isn't something to be evaded entirely, especially our nature. Alot of wisdom and exuberance stems from following our natural nature." I believe such thoughts are inspired by natural hygiene, especially since the American Health Association, the vanguard of natural hygiene, has a motto "Living in Harmony with Nature's Law".

"So many feedbags of harmful shit are forced into us, and this is very true with natural living." The first part of this statement I first heard from a rebel at my high school named, Mary Martin; the second part I learned from natural hygienists. "Sport heroes are worshipped to no end, because we don't realize all our bodies are mighty not just the bodies of the over acclaimed stars." This idea I learned from Herbert Shelton.

The ideas about fat and out shape bodies on this page are often expressed by health advocates.

"These athletes get paid vast enormous sums, which is so out of whack considering the salaries of other professions." Many others often point this out.

pg 27

"because television pacifies like nothing else and usually not much of an attention span is required to keep pace of television's fast moving sights and sounds." These critiques of television have been expressed by many.

"destroy the system that is destroying us" is a cliché among iconoclasts, it seems.

pg 28

"Acting is a marvelous art, one where you gain powerful and positive insights." I believe I learned about the powerful learning potential of acting from Jello Biafra.

"Theater acting is usually more exciting than television for the reason that the performers hafta be so polished, they got one shot to perform for the play. Television actors and movie actors can do retake after retake after retake if they muck up." Theater fans often make this comparison between television and theater.

"Being able to smell the actors in natural surround sound and sight is something artificial technology cannot truly emulate." This is a continuation of the above cited idea. "And it's most always far greater to watch something live in person that to view it second hand via television. You miss so much vitality, zest, and life of the performance when you decide to view it on television. Television does not compare to real life." Other television opponents have often expressed these thoughts.

pg 29

"Government regulation is often not the optimal way to go to change behavior." This idea originates from Libertarians. "and are often indistinguishable" is an idea expressed by many leftists suggesting that capitalists and the government work together to oppress us.

pg 30-31

"but the teachers are to be condemned because they have not on the whole instilled a desire to learn, and this is the important thing."…. "neither are the conventional lot of teachers who stress rote learning and arduous busy work."…. "Public schools tend to crank out complacent conformists who really don't question or think all that much."…. "Neither the schools nor television programmers have conquered apathy, in fact, it can appear as if both thrive off an apathetic populace. School teachers don't like resourceful folks who can enrich themselves without formal education because it means less jobs and, more philosophically, less validity for their profession."…. “It's a farce, the capsulated learning these teachers prop up as 'educational' "… "Or could it be the public schools are the government's programming?" Homeschoolers, especially John Holt, often express these ideas.

"Or nowadays it's grow increasingly more difficult to isolate what is government and what is capitalist, the two are working more and more together in a fascist type way. Evidence of companies like Coke and Pepsi taking over the schools. True fascism is when it's difficult if not impossible to tell the capitalist mongers and the government mongers apart, because for all intents and purposes they are one of the same." Many have expressed these ideas about the nature of what fascism truly is.

"Often times, these "educational" videos aren't all that great. Television is a technology of entertainment first, not learning. Books (not so much magazines) are the opposite, often venues of learning first and entertainment secondary. Note all the flashy images and sounds often a part of "educational" films, the structure can often imitate regular old television program in a feeble attempt to trick kids into learning. You can't trick people into learning, it just isn't right. Besides when you try to get kids to learn in a fake hip way, it can even vilify the subject matter. Instead of getting the best of both worlds, you can get the worst of both worlds: cheapened reduced learning and the excessive pomp of television"…. "Oh they'll wanna make sure their kids see the presidential inauguration, so they can love America, but will they often expose America's faults (And if you think America has no faults -- you got another thing coming)." Many express these critiques of television; homeschoolers express these critiques of education.

pg 32

"Again, often what less privileged societies lack is ultimately a blessing, such is the case with junk food and meat products and such is the case with the mind warping soul warping machine that is television. Progress can be quite the sham, and such is the case with television." This is the natural hygiene idea that being wealthy can be a setback in some cases, because the disadvantaged can't acquire the harmful products.

pg 33

"But on the other hand sometimes negative attention has more effect than positive attention. Challenging people (which can often mean angering them) at its best can cause them to reexamine their views and maybe change them and starting following the anti-television vanguard, and if not, grow a bit by defending their beliefs." Psychologists often suggest these ideas of motivation.

"It is a matter of how one acts within a band of not thieves but a band of egotists or what not, because it's foolish to assert true altruism is proven to exist and people always primarily do good deeds only for their own sake." The 'band of thieves’ idea is a Socratic idea; the refutation of altruism is a Thomas Hobbes idea.

pg 34

"Anything that deviates from the norm is often ridiculed, which is a travesty when the deviation is due to a good thing." This is a common psychological and social idea.

"Society will just the same alienate both the white supremacist and the noble revolutionary." Note what happened with Mumia Abu Jamal, Refuse and Resist often points out.

pg 35

"Through the deviant we learn about what's wrong with society, and maybe sometimes a deviant voice is far too exaggerated, but this exaggerated voice is there to scare, scare so a firm change is made. Exaggeration can really outrage people, and outrage cultivates change." Many deviants often point these ideas out even some such as Marilyn Manson.

"The mainstream wants not enrichment but entertainment." Neil Postman and Jello Biafra among others often mention the extent our society seeks entertainment.

pg 36

"There are those who need a battle to fight always. Always." This is indeed expressed by many psychologists and even my previous friend, Tim Kidd.

"When this is the dominant drive, winning the battle can actually cause more consternation because they hafta then find something else to go after." Tim Kidd and others are advocates of such a view.

pg 38

"Balancing the in and the out is the key. I know this, this is so true. After all there are two types of breathing, breathing in and breathing out, for there to be harmony, there must be balance. Since breathing is fundamental to living, the ins and outs of breathing reflect the dynamic harmony that must be reached for bliss and peace to occur. Writing is a wonderful breathing out activity, so is activism and public speaking and acting, all very cathartic." The breathing in and breathing out ideas, I learned from homeschooling author, Grace Llewellyn.

pg 39

“but we cannot be naive to think pure motives like this drive any significant portion of the population EVEN AMONGST ACTIVISTS!" This is a restatement of Hobbes's anti- altruism ideas.

"So, you activists don't get a big head and think the only reason you do activism is for the good of humanity, cause it very likely isn't true. We all posses impure motives, ulterior motives to some degree, and don't think you've escaped this trap. You haven't completely. Even if you think it seems like you aren't moved by anything like personal attention or societal acclaim and gratification, clear the smoke, and you will find, not the purest motives driving you. Get real with yourself and realize pretty much all of us aren't solely driven JUST by the desire to benefit the greater good." This paragraph is a further expansion on Hobbes basic premise and Tim Kidd’s critique, with my own reaffirmations.

pg 40

"And remember at the very core of all of our beings, we are selfish. Knowing our true natures can be very empowering, and remember also even the best of us have less than pure motives." Again these are more thoughts based on Hobbes ideas on altruism.

pg 43

"It is not only that television zaps the creativity out of you." Many television opponents express this idea.

pg 46

"However, when the masses get wind of a counter culture movement, then it will become popular. We can't allow our cause to become some scheme to sell cheesy merchandise. Rebellion just ain't cool when capitalists mass market it. It is often the epitome of blasphemy." These words express the ideas of many movement people who are afraid of movements being exploited for money.

pg 48

"I have found out is that if something sucks or something's a drag, it's up to us to change it."…. "If something is unexciting, why gripe, why not act and fill the gap, fill the void" Many psychologists believe this and my college Geography instructor, Dr. Algeo, told me this idea once.

pg 49

The slippery slope ideas on this page are often expressed by Philosophers, but usually in opposition to the idea, I am here expressing that a slippery slope conception is valid. Many claim politicians are a natural example of this phenomenon. "I'm so strong, it can be hard for people to swallow." I'm not quite sure if this statement came from my own observation or an observation made by Heidi Stanley or both concurrently.

pg 51

"By doing what the mainstream does, you are setting yourself up for being average. Read plenty books and write prolific, and you'll set yourself up for greatness. The key to success is not conformity, it's not being mainstream. The key to success is being extraordinary. There is very good reason the ordinary isn't venerated." These ideas are often expressed by motivational thinkers aspiring people to greatness.

pg 53

"although it's probably best to forge our own identities" Many advocates of individualism express this view such as Bad Religion.

pg 54

"for EVERYONE has something valuable to teach" Individualists often express this view.

"our public schools a crutch to realizing our full nature" This is a common homeschooling idea.

The ideas on this page about violence and disagreement may be thoughts that spun off Martin Luther King Jr's discussion of the differences between violence and conflict.

pg 55

"Corporations hate thinkers, full of progressive courage. And I hate the setup of corporate employment. The corporate heads who make profit at the expense of people doing all the work, work which to make the most profitable is drudgery and vice." These ideas stem from Marx's thought (ultimately) and are often express by anti-capitalist thinkers.

"And television is the communication and entertainment tool of this regime. What's so good about desiring so much entertainment anyhow?" ...."Constantly entertained citizenry aren't fully actualized or fully a threat to the evil ways of the leaders." Jello Biafra and Neil Postman, among other thinkers, express such thoughts about the dangers of entertainment

pg 56

"a harsh reaction to a diseased society" This statement explains how some other people interpret Marilyn Manson as a thoughtful plan, cerebrally protesting against our culture's excessive norms.

"What's marriage but a piece of paper, fees paid to the government, and often an involved of a church leader? Love isn't so tangible." Many, in an iconoclastic spirit, question the institution of marriage with thoughts like that.

pg 57

"To an uncritical thinker, fasting may seem extreme and anti-moderate. But it can really be the epitome of moderation. To do something every single day without ever breaking surely can't be considered moderate."…. "And contrary to popular belief, eating food every single last day certainly is not something vital for survival."…."The human organism can go a long time without food, and when appropriately and periodically fasts, thrives the most. What most people don't realize so many of us, most of us, pretty much all of us, are addicted to food. We eat way too much and not only that a misguided society and medical establishment demand we eat every single blasted day. Fasting is something which is very rational and a key to moderate living. It can be no virtue to feed, feed, feed, without ever giving the body a rest." Natural Hygienists, especially Herbert Shelton, have taught me these ideas about fasting.

pg 58

"And since eating is something we do everyday, the way one eats, how one eats, what one eats tells us alot about their personality and character." This may have came from Michael Stipe (in reference to vegetarianism, though here I apply it to fasting).

pg 59

"When there's eating it must be counteracted by the practice of fasting" is an idea of natural hygienists and particularly of Herbert Shelton.

"Look at the morals, the T.V. heroes have." This is a common critique of television expressed by many.

pg 60

"It's amazing that often hedonists never learn. They get entirely inebriated, getting those horrible hangovers. Hangovers are the body's way of telling us something is wrong. But do these hedonists learn from the hangover?" Perhaps, the place I heard such an argument was from a youth group leader named Doug at Maywood Evangelical Church in Rockford, IL. He surely did not use the pure idea of hedonism, though.

pg 61

"The frequent method of handling things western medicine style is to end the symptom of pain. But these foolish western medicine practioneers often do not integrate into practice the wisdom that pain is a sign of something else. People, being hedonistic want a quick fix, an immediate end to pain, even though maybe letting the body run its course may be painful, but in the long run it’s probably best. Western Medicine has an orgasm about symptoms and doesn't seem overly concerned about getting at the causes of things."…. "Curing symptoms is where the money's at because there's so many symptoms. Getting at the root of problems just ain't so profitable." Alternative medicine folks such as naturopaths, natural hygienists, and others often believe these thoughts about western medicine.

"Coffee is an awful poison.” This statement affirms the natural hygienist idea that "drugs are poisons.

"Could it be that they want people to get hooked on the drinks? Yes, it could very well be." Many have noted that beverage makers deliberately spike their products with caffeine.

pg 62

"Hedonism plays alot on television. Don't expose your kids too often to television, or else they be dragged down by the corporate crap, the hedonism, the self hatred, the oppression so omnipresent on television today. Television is a demonic free for all. Where hedonism has quite the field day. Want your kids to grow up to be perfect hedonists? They give them everything they want when they want it." This is a more elaborate stating of a belief, often expressed by anti-television thinkers, that television teaches people to be decadent and that child raising is often done wrong.

pg 66

"Sometimes we think we are free thinkers but we are actually bond to thinking within a certain framework and paradigm(s), to transcend such is the ultimate." Many have expressed this idea that "sometimes freethinkers aren't really freethinkers as much as they think they are".

pg 68

"Besides, it's all my thoughts." This refers to the fact that I didn't consult outside works to write this book, any information I got from sources other than my own head was already in my head before writing this.

"Now go out and do wonderful things. Ya sure don't need the television set draggin ya down. Life is out there, live it. Turn off that blasted television set. Sparkle, radiate, emanate with exuberance and vigor, and zest." This is a statement of the idea often expressed by the few anti-television folks out there that television is harmful and television freedom is liberating.

pg 71

"We have gotta destroy the system that is destroying us, for there is a better way." This cliché was cited above.

pg 72

"Different opinions is a good thing. It challenges us intellectually and spiritually to be exposed to those with opposing viewpoints. For this is a way in which we grow." Philosophers often say this in support of open dialogues.

pg 74

"This is not strict Luddite ideology, not all technology is bad, because computer technology has done much good, albeit some bad, but much good." This idea about computers vs. television was cited above.

For more citations on the two persuasive leaflets printed in this book, request the latest revision of each of the leaflets.

pg 76

"sXe self liberation session" was a title Phil Kauth found at a website.

pg 77

Professor Roberts’ students told me about his promotion of the conference.

pg 78

"Apparently, I am not a good interpersonal, expressive leader, although I think I'm pretty good at a more instrumental plugging away type of leadership." The expressive and instrumental leadership type ideas I learned from John Maconis.

pg 80

"One of the improvements I made was allowing at least a nominal period between speakers." At the first conference, many noted the problems of overlap when there were no intermission breaks.

pg 83

"I told Mr. Lytlle that I thought the seat arrangement was conducive to interaction and that I observed that seating arrangement is a key factor in the dynamics of promoting interaction." I believe the first place I came across this idea was in a book by Norman Pease called Gestures.

pg 86

"Corporations are a cancerous monster ever growing, so we need to usurp their power, so people will have more autonomy over their lives." Many on the left are concerned by the growth of corporations, which is expressed in this thought.

pg 88

"Television is a waste of time, life is full of beauty and bounty to be actualized, television initiates a sick false fantasy for us to consume. Also television promotes a drug it lifestyle which encourages drugs for every single discomfort to man, this is unhealthy." These thoughts are often found in the words of anti-television thinkers and sometimes in the words of natural hygienists.

pg 89

"maybe the 2 parties are scared if the playing field is even, they will lose their monopoly control over national politics" Many on the outside of the mainstream believe this.

pg 94

"Debates innately are at least somewhat divisive, so some friction is natural." This may have stemmed from a thought of mine or from commonly mentioned thoughts of others.

pg 96

"This goes to show that the line between reality and illusion can be blurry leading to other catastrophe. So really how does Greg or any other Christian for that matter, know God is talking to them?" This is the continuation of the women's logic.

"Over concern and fear of the origin of God and life is responsible for so much grief and evil in this world." I believe the first time I came across this thought was by hearing a famous Wagner quote.

pg 97

"Unfortunately the world has to indoctrinate them into problematic religions." I believe the origins of this thought emanated from a great biblical criticism book about the conditioning of the young.

pg 98

"Atheists have a negating proposition and theists an affirmative proposition, thus it makes sense for theists to go first. Also going first kinda puts one on the defensive, and it is not proper for atheists to have to prove their stance." I believe one atheist thinker (George Smith?) first taught me this; many other atheists also believe it.

pg 100

"I emphasized our need to look to this world to solve our worldly problems, and I even touched on the problems with divine absolute morality. I demonstrated the arrogance of Christianity and the real humility of atheism." I believe these are mostly views espoused by many atheists.

"Christianity's arrogance which adversely affects the beloved animals." Animal rights advocates often express their concern about the bible's potentially anti-animal rights views.

pg 101

"Moreover, a foolish bettor passes up a certain life for an uncertain existence afterwards (even if the potential awards are infinite)" This is MY response to Pascal's Wager.

pg 103

"I feel rampant misnomers about Socialism pervade the minds of many, and the dominant paradigm of the day is that socialism is anti freedom, diseased and unfair. It is not. The opposite [sic][is often] truth. Socialism is [can often be AB] about liberty, freedom, and justice." I believe these ideas, at least partially, emanated from reading a book called The ABC’s of Socialism.

pg 110

"I explained how Mumia is a representation of the underrepresented, hence his title ‘Voice of the Voiceless’ and that Mumia is a death row political prisoner, and while we do have other political prisoners in America, his case is vital because he could die for his political beliefs." Refuse and Resist and others in the free Mumia Abu Jamal movement often express these ideas.

Additional notes:

pg 12

"to protect the worst results of freedom of speech, we also protect the best" may have originated from the works of first amendment advocates.

pg 13

"television watching drug" is a common proverb among people, origin unknown.

"most passive unstimulating diversion" - Many have suggested this.

pg 14

The basic idea "television is bad for the mind" which many have suggested is elaborated by me here.

"capitalism which places profits first" and "Profits and human needs are often in direct conflict" are ideas expressed by many critics of capitalism.

pg 15

"often capitalism is not about compassion and love" Other critics have suggested this.

"A mind works while reading" is often suggested by teachers. The bit about high salaries is expressed by many against our system.

pg 16

"Capitalism brings out the worst in human nature" is a common leftist critique.

pg 18

"We can't be islands" and "it would be better if they were a bit more altruistic, they seem self centered...." (to the end of the sentence) is a critique by activists against dropouts.

pg 19

"some of these people who rip on television" to the end of the sentence, may have been stated in a little different way in a Mad Magazine premise, but maybe not.

pg 21

"a television set does not contribute to a peaceful tranquil mind" is a thought expressed by some others about television's unsettling effects.

"Action is immensely valuable, words are often in vain" may be a thought that was generated in my mind, one literary critic’s interpretation of a character in Faulkner's "As I Lay Dying".

pg 22

"With freedom comes responsibility" (in this context) to the end of sentence, may be a thought that was planted in my head from listening to Jello Biafra.

pg 25

"Sitting in front of the tube does not produce a better body" and "Television is a big reason and also a part of the bigger picture why American people are so unhealthy. It is not only endless lazy sitting watching the tube." These ideas have been expressed by many others.

pg 26

"Since the mind and body are connected." Many critics of western thinking express this view

"Almost no sane runner will prefer a treadmill to running outdoors." A number of runners suggest this.

pg 29

"Television is immensely profitable" ... to end of sentence, is an idea expressed by many.

"often forcing people..." to end of sentence, is an idea often expressed by Libertarians.

pg 32

"Something is easier to avoid if you've never tried it...." to end of sentence, is an idea expressed by many.

pg 33

My friend Tim has claimed that activists only do what they do for attention. This view is critiqued by me.

"for those who desire attention regardless of its nature...." to end of sentence, is an idea often expressed by psychologists.

pg 34

"A plethora of new ideas is what challenges us and causes us grow" is an idea expressed by many.

"Not only do the universities tend to be bastions for the free exchange of ideas, but also the period of college tends to be a time of searching and discovery where people are open to new ideas" an idea expressed by many educators and psychologists. Many have observed how the profit motive drives corporations

pg 42

"Addicted people certainly are not free" is an idea expressed by many.

pg 44

"It is a disservice for the television to baby-sit and pacify the young" is a common criticism given by a number of people.

pg 47

"Perhaps, the most optimistic are those who continue to fight for justice in a sad, unjust world. It is no virtue to paint roses when oppression is going on non stop" Some others may have expressed these ideas before me.

pg 50

"The management of energy is a key to lots of success and bliss. The mismanagement of energy can lead to insanity and unhappiness." See George Bach's book The Inner Enemy: How to Fight Fair with Ourselves for his take on this phenomenon which in some part or another may have influenced this thought.

pg 53

"Many of us desire a unique identity in life" an idea expressed by many.

pg 54

"The televisions' role is not ...." to end of sentence, is an idea often expressed by anti- corporation folk; I gave it a television twist here.

pg 64

"Ever try to get a kid to stop playing Nintendo? Good luck." and "The advent of Nintendo and VCR only add to the conflicts of television". Parents and anti-television activists have often noted this.

pg 65

"The real revolution doesn't emanate from tired leftists." This thought possibly both stemmed from my observations of MOVE and other people’s writings about how MOVE is special.

pg 78

Activists say they often find it difficult to get the already involved even more

pg 81

"The more one speaks the less nervous one gets" has been noticed by a large number of public speakers.

pg 84

"A society such as ours that is so hostile to non-believers" has been noted by a number of freethinkers.

pg 91

"We know letter writing makes quite the difference." Amnesty International stresses this point.

pg 95

"why Christians think what they say is any different from other Christians" may have been inspired by a conversation with my friend Tim Kidd.

pg 96

"To me, the origins of life aren't necessary to value it" may have come from a Buddhist work I looked at.

"In fact when we do not fixate on God's origins, life is better" may have came from a non-Christian acquaintance who suggested we not concern ourselves with God because such concern does not contribute to life.

pg 97

"Truly perception plays in our value of existence and fulfillment" -- This is a common psychologist idea.

pg 99

"not waging on the nebulous unknown" This is a critique of religion I may have gotten somewhere besides my own thoughts.

pg 100

"religion was a psychological disadvantage" This is given by many as critique

"ethnocentric basis of Christianity" I believe this has to some degree originated in my mind, but maybe influenced by others too.

"atheists aren't all evil or miserable" is a refutation of a common caricature of atheists given by many.