People are on their computers more than watching TV, because you

In the days of yore, before the age of the computer, the flicker of the television screen was the window to the world. We gathered in rooms to watch great spectacles, to witness the heroic deeds of kings and warriors, or the trials of fictional characters who mirrored the very struggles of life itself. But in this present age, the computer has usurped the throne. As Stephen Root wisely declares, "People are on their computers more than watching TV, because you can only watch voyeur TV, which is basically what reality shows are, for so long." Herein lies a profound truth: the realm of entertainment has shifted, and with it, our very engagement with the world around us.

Voyeurism, the act of observing life from a distance without participating, has become the currency of much modern entertainment. The reality show, a genre born from this very notion, offers us a view into the lives of others—strangers, celebrities, or the seemingly ordinary—whose actions and dramas unfold before our eyes. It is a performance, yet it is not art; it is not a journey of discovery, but a spectacle of exhibitionism. The viewers are spectators, not participants, and this passive engagement, though once thrilling, soon becomes tiresome. Like a man who gazes too long upon a work of art that holds no meaning, the soul grows weary. Stephen Root speaks to this weariness—the moment when we tire of watching life unfold from the sidelines.

The ancient Greeks, in their wisdom, taught us the value of active participation in the drama of life. In their theater, the audience was not merely a spectator but part of the very fabric of the performance. They would chant, cheer, and even cry with the actors, feeling deeply the rise and fall of each tragedy and comedy. The participatory nature of their society reinforced the belief that life itself is a stage upon which we must act. To merely watch, to disengage from the battle of life, was to betray one's true nature as a human being. For this reason, the true fulfillment of life was not in being a passive observer, but in becoming an active participant in the world’s unfolding story.

In modern times, the shift from the television to the computer represents a subtle, yet significant, change in how we engage with the world. The computer offers an interactive experience. It demands our participation, calls us to action. We type, we click, we create—we are no longer mere spectators. The screen that once served only to entertain and passive engage now serves as a tool for creation and connection. From social media to online communities, we find ourselves contributing to the vast, swirling ocean of information. We have moved from being voyeurs to active players in the great game of human existence. This transformation echoes the ancient belief that the journey of life is best undertaken with intent, not from the comfort of observation.

Consider the story of Leonardo da Vinci, whose vast intellect and boundless curiosity led him not to watch the world from the shadows, but to study it in all its glory. He did not simply gaze upon the mysteries of the heavens or the human form; he dove into them, questioning, sketching, and creating. His notebooks, filled with inventions and drawings, are a testament to the power of active participation in the exploration of the world. Similarly, we are called today to turn off the passive flicker of reality television and embrace the more vibrant, interactive world that exists through our computers.

In this digital age, the lesson is clear: to engage deeply with the world is far more rewarding than to remain a passive observer. We must not be like the masses who stare at their screens, disconnected from the true meaning of life, caught up in endless spectacles of triviality. Stephen Root cautions against the seductive pull of voyeurism, urging us to recognize the futility of endlessly watching others live. Instead, we should strive to make our own mark on the world, to use our computers and technology to not just observe, but to create, to engage, to contribute meaningfully to the greater conversation of life.

The practical lesson, then, is one of balance. While the allure of the screen may seem powerful, we must learn to temper our consumption of it. Let us not fall into the trap of endless consumption of entertainment that asks nothing of us. Instead, let us use the tools at our disposal—computers and all—to forge paths of creative action, to build, to learn, and to connect in ways that enrich our own lives and the lives of others. In doing so, we reclaim our role as participants, not just spectators, in the grand spectacle of human existence. Take action. Be a creator, not a voyeur.