How TV defines us

Arguably, TV is the biggest medium. Broadcasting ideas, messages, advertisements,  social norms, and much more. Every channel broadcasted connects us to all different mediums and messages that we allow ourselves to be defined by when watching them. However, the channels we choose to watch can separate us into groups and stereo types. For example, like everyone else, I enjoy watching TV with friends. When I am watching TV with my friends, I am almost always watching ESPN. When watching ESPN, I feel connected to everyone in the room regardless of the sports knowledge because I know that sports captures a large part of our interests. Watching this channel connects me to a wide level media group which is probably predominately male sports fans. However, channels separate people by there interests. An interesting experiment that tried for kicks when I was watching TV with friends was changing the channel to something I was  was interested in but knew I would get teased for. This happened to be the cooking channel with Paula Deen.  My friend all started making fun of the show and myself immediately after realizing that I intended to watch the channel and that I did not mess up while pushing the buttons. This is an extreme example however, It really made me think about how the things we watched defined us. And we are connected to our friends in this day in age through so many different mediums.