The Eye Watching Back At Us

Television has been with us for a while...

 On 7 September 1927, U.S. inventor Philo Farnsworth's image dissector camera tube transmitted its first image, a simple straight line, at his laboratory at 202 Green Street in San Francisco.[59][60] By 3 September 1928, Farnsworth had developed the system sufficiently to hold a demonstration for the press. This is widely regarded as the first electronic television demonstration.[60] In 1929, the system was improved further by the elimination of a motor generator, so that his television system now had no mechanical parts.[61] That year, Farnsworth transmitted the first live human images with his system, including a three and a half-inch image of his wife Elma ("Pem") with her eyes closed (possibly due to the bright lighting required).[62] 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Television#History:~:text=On%207%20September,required).%5B62%5D

And by the 1950's in the U.S.A. and around the Earth TV began to spread. And effect our society in ways that have ultimately created a system where TV looks back at itself on Vimeo and YouTube and other streaming services of the Net. 

Along the way TV got a bad reputation. As the "boob tube", or the "idiot box". And yet TV was the direct child of Radio, which was seen as a connection system that enhanced society when it began. So, did TV get such a bad rap? Maybe because it from the driven from the beginning by the needs of commercial interests. Like the art patrons of the Renaissance, the sponsors set the programing (with a few carved out bits for the Public Commons).

As Radio had taught, TV could and is used as a mass communication and societal programming system for Industry and Government alike. TV also became a vehicle for immortality for film. As the 1980s came around some many were introduced to so much film and film history. The jingles and ads became pervasive in society.

But, TV also gave the Gen Xer's PBS and Sesame Street and Mr. Rogers just when they needed it. That kind of programming was a positive force and helps kids even today after Mr. Rogers and some of the original cast of Sesame Street have passed. TV, for good or for bad, is like writing. It instills a kind of immortality. People still love Lucy to this day...

Now, the Net has made us all producers, curators, reviewers, and consumers of "TV" all at once. Ultimately, Philo Farnsworth might have predicted TikTok. But he might have also imagined  the origins of KhanAcademy on YouTube, Vimeo, and The Internet Archives.

Below we will try to curate some TV that is available free on the Net. Like any prospector will tell you, you gotta sift a lotta dirt to find those nuggets of gold. We'll start  a disclaimer video on the dangers of the miss use of Television  Then follow with the good stuff. Please stand by...