Lost in the Babble
Dignity Dialogue|July 2020
The lockdown found Monica Fernandes turning into a couch potato with binge watching of all sorts of television and social media content. Here is her account.
Monica Fernandes
Lost in the Babble

Binge viewing is when a person watches more than one episode of a television series, sometimes the entire series, broadcast on any streaming platform such as Netflix, Amazon Prime, etc. in just a single sitting. The plot of the serial thickens and entices the individual to keep on watching. This of course is lucrative business for the producers who can claim to have attentive audience and thereby attract more companies to advertise. It’s a simple formula: as the viewership increases, there is more money to be made from the commercials. Psychologists have opined that binge watching may seem like harmless fun but it could make the viewer depressed and miserable.

It is no doubt addictive. Social interaction and exercising go for a toss. And it has been found to be more prevalent among the younger people. A person reading a book a day from cover to cover is not termed a binge reader. Someone who works non-stop is termed a workaholic but in reality he or she is also bingeing. Following this loose definition, during this ongoing pandemic I have faced a grave danger – that of becoming a binge watcher. Added to this has been the information overload through emails, social media platforms and text messages. There are companies desperate to sell their products and seem to be making all sorts of tall claims.

This story is from the July 2020 edition of Dignity Dialogue.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

This story is from the July 2020 edition of Dignity Dialogue.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

MORE STORIES FROM DIGNITY DIALOGUEView All
I Hope I Never Lose My Voice
Dignity Dialogue

I Hope I Never Lose My Voice

Asha Bhosle, the evergreen playback singer who has some of the greatest film hits to her credit, celebrated her 88th birthday in September 2020. But age has never been a determining factor. She continues to do what she loves the most – singing.

time-read
10+ mins  |
June 2021
Reverse Mortgage: A Boon for Seniors
Dignity Dialogue

Reverse Mortgage: A Boon for Seniors

The thought of being financially independent, not running short of funds in case of medical emergencies and not being a burden on their children accords a lot of mental peace and a restored sense of dignity to the elderly. Dr. Sampath Iyer explains how reverse mortgage makes this possible.

time-read
5 mins  |
June 2021
Get Rid of that Bronchial Cough
Dignity Dialogue

Get Rid of that Bronchial Cough

Symptoms of acute bronchitis usually resolve within one or two weeks with home treatment. You should start to feel noticeably better after a few days. Meanwhile, drink plenty of water and warm liquids and eat healthy foods. The article highlights some of the home remedies that work.

time-read
4 mins  |
June 2021
Build Bridges, Not Walls
Dignity Dialogue

Build Bridges, Not Walls

To be able to live in harmony with each other, we must learn to not just contact but also connect, suggests V Anand Kumar.

time-read
3 mins  |
June 2021
Balancing Spirituality and Indulgence
Dignity Dialogue

Balancing Spirituality and Indulgence

Susanne Kempken, co-founder of The Guided Meditation Site, explains why there is no harm in being indulgent while being spiritual.

time-read
4 mins  |
June 2021
Self-Control: The Need of the Hour
Dignity Dialogue

Self-Control: The Need of the Hour

‘The Marshmallow Test’ by Walter Mischel is a good book to read for those interested in understanding self-control and learning how to master it. Indira Ananthakrishnan gets into further details of what it means.

time-read
4 mins  |
June 2021
Different Kinds of Wills
Dignity Dialogue

Different Kinds of Wills

Wills are an important part of the financial planning process. A will is a legal declaration that spells out a person’s wishes and intentions in matters of care of dependents or inheritance of property after his or her own death. Here is an article on the different types of wills.

time-read
3 mins  |
June 2021
Doctor in the Kitchen
Dignity Dialogue

Doctor in the Kitchen

Even as we turn to finding a cure for our ailments in our kitchens and gardens, Dr. Sonam Vohra provides an insight into what makes for a home remedy and why caution is required.

time-read
3 mins  |
June 2021
Stick to a Healthy Diet
Dignity Dialogue

Stick to a Healthy Diet

Given the current pandemic there is so much information being shared about what makes for a healthy diet that it can become overwhelming. However, there are just a few simple pointers that you must keep in mind.

time-read
3 mins  |
June 2021
Understanding the Corona Virus Vaccine
Dignity Dialogue

Understanding the Corona Virus Vaccine

Getting vaccinated is the best way to protect oneself and others from severe illness or death, especially in the case of the coronavirus. This is in addition to other recommended precautions such as wearing mask, keeping social distance and maintaining a high level of hygiene. K R K Moorthy explains how the vaccine works and the possible side effects.

time-read
5 mins  |
June 2021