07 Dec Television: Opiate of the Masses (upper-intermediate/advanced)

Most of us know just how bad TV is for us but the reasons why this is so aren’t always very clear. The article “Television: Opiate of the Masses” presents convincing and forceful arguments, most of them based on scientific facts, against watching television.
The following are some questions to guide your reading and generate some reflection:

1) What argument(s) does the author present against television? Which one is the strongest one, in your opinion?
2) What is television compared to?
3) Can we say we´re brainwashed by television? How so?
4) Can you think about any argument for watching TV? Which one is it? Is there anything worth watching on TV in your country?

Here are some comic strips that can spur more reflection.