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by mjol 1788 days ago
If you really believe that entertainment doesn't improve the human experience, I feel sorry for you.
3 comments

The OP is probably talking about the psychological impact of washing Netflix restlessly during long periods of time. That generates GDP, but the net impact on society might not be positive. Same thing with the psychological issues associated with social media addiction.
People watched TV for many hours daily for decades now. I agree that it’s not healthy, but it’s not purely a new technology’s fault.
The TV always has been a stationary device. But now you can carry it with you everywhere you go in the form of a Netflix-capable device ala smartphone/laptop.
There is the occasional bit of entertainment and there is https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Escapism#Escapist_societies

One thing is watching some dumb action movie once a week, another thing is filling one's free time with entertainment every day.

the US entertainment doesn't improve the human experience