Celebrity status simply passes me by. I have no TV and do not read newspapers. My life and I are so boring!! Yesterday, I received a reminder I have no TV licence; so what?! Will I have to make my life exciting now by getting into a row with TV Licensing? No, I have better things to do now that I am married!!!
I have a license because my wife and kids atch the TV. I didn't watch TV for years. People don't need a license if they only watch on demand and not broadcast TV.
If you use on demand TV to watch a programme whilst it is also being broadcast live, you will need a licence. If it is not being broadcast live at the same time you don't need a licence.
You do not need a licence if you don't watch TV. The TV licence people can knock on your door; you don't have to let them in. You can even call the police on them. People think they have special powers. They do not. They are not capable of policing the system properly as it is. They are not a government agency. I use a TV as a computer monitor. This is not breaking the law, as the aerial cable isn't plugged in, and not in the vicinity of the TV. If I did want to watch TV, all I would do is plug it in and take it out at the end; how could anyone prove otherwise? However, as I have stated, I do not watch TV. What if I want to watch a sporting event on an internet channel, live? Well, technically, yes, that is breaking the law as I should have a licence to watch it. However, I would be breaking the law anyway, if I was watching an illegal stream. I am sure that many people with TV licences do this, so what difference does it make? Having a TV licence doesn't make this legal. And the TV licence people cannot come into your house and check your browser history etc. I sent a letter two years ago stating that I no longer would pay a licence fee as I don't watch TV. I have not been bothered since. I also asked for a refund of three year's worth, as I had been paying for a product I wasn't receiving. I think that must have given them a good laugh in the office. Quite frankly, the only reason that so many people pay a licence is not because of honesty; it's because of misunderstanding how the whole system works, how the TV licence people work, and simple fear - it's easier coughing up for something you don't want than being caught out, in the eyes of many. Scare stories also influence people. It's a great example of social brainwashing. Pay or don't pay, just don't be fooled!
It's cheap that's why it is here to stay, this type of change in programme types was predicted many many years ago, I'm talking 20 or more years back.
Some years ago I met the stunt driver Russ Swift in the Club Manila lounge in NAIA 1 he and his wife were just leaving after spending a few days doing and event at the World Trade Centre in Manila, he was a really nice man, it was only towards the end of our conversation that I found out what he did, he's been on Top Gear and the likes. I got lucky that trip and got a free upgrade to business class at the last minute at the gate and ended up sitting right behind him and his wife we ended up continuing our natter for a wee while. It is horses for courses and I agree with you, I too hate the cult of celebrity but some of them are real people as well.
I agree also what really rubs me up is the use of the word hero "and a footballer has to brave at the tackle" what piffle heros are people who put them selves before others for the sake of humanity and a freer world not some mampy pampy £250000 per week here today gone tomorrow sport star. As for so called celebs of today will they be remembered in 5 years time no,
Some will be remembered, some not. My neighbour still is known, but aquired his "celebrity" status about 5 years ago.
This neighbour died a few days ago. Age 27. He did make a name for himself at the age of 21. It was in the UK press for days. On the news too.
Ah, The Apprentice guy, yes? I saw that on the news but must admit I had no idea who he was. Another member of Club 27 then!
After two years TV Licensing will contact you again, just to remind you that you don't have a TV licence. You can also withdraw their implied right of access to your property and they will mark your record accordingly, but you will need to respond to them every two years to stop letters.
It is too late to edit the thread title now. If I could, I would have typed "I dislike the cult of celebrity". There are some very nice people who are celebrities, it is the cult of celebrity that galls me.
Agreed I often ask What is a celebrity in the modern world( I know the meaning of celebrity)? Who and why make celebrities? Are they what the younger generation call influencers? The social media era has a lot to answer for!
Influencers are somthing new more niche, they share similar traits to the recognised celebrities of old but the audience is different because they reside in the internet, in the blogsphere and YouTube and each cultures and captivates their own audience, influencers are directly about drawing eyeballs and ears to the infuriating internet ads, their following or followers build revenue for them, it is basically being paid for being opinionated and imagining that their opinion is worth a damn.