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Happiness Isn't a Warm TV A new study finds people who read newspapers and socialize are happier than those who have a nightly date with the tube 
Entertainment's main purpose is to keep people occupied and happy during the downtime between countless work and family obligations. According to a 30-year study from University of Maryland sociologist, John P. Robinson, however, not all forms of entertainment are created equal. And one of the most popular forms could lead to long-term unhappiness. "TV doesn't really seem to satisfy people over the long haul the way that social involvement or reading a newspaper does," says Robinson, the study co-author. "It's more passive and may provide escape, especially when the news is as depressing as the economy itself. The data suggest to us that the TV habit may offer short-run pleasure at the expense of long-term malaise." Robinson and his team found that self-described happy people were more socially active, attended more religious services and read more newspapers. By contrast, unhappy people watched nearly 20 percent more television than those who consider themselves very happy. The study used 24-hour time diaries as well as data regarding each person's education, income, age and marital status to determine overall levels of happiness. Robinson believes TV is so alluring because viewing is easy. Viewers don't have to go anywhere, dress up, find company, plan ahead, expend energy, do any work or spend money in order to view. These advantages, coupled with the immediate gratification offered by television, is why he believes Americans spend more than half their free time as TV viewers. "Addictive activities produce momentary pleasure but long-term misery and regret," says co-author of the study, Steven Martin. "People most vulnerable to addiction tend to be socially or personally disadvantaged. For this kind of person, TV can become a kind of opiate in a way. It's habitual, and tuning in can be an easy way of tuning out." Unhappy people were also more likely to feel they have unwanted extra time on their hands (51 percent) compared to very happy people (19 percent) and to feel rushed for time (35 percent vs. 23 percent).
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