I have been considering signing up for Netflix for a while. It came to France this year and, like in the US, it's not that pricey (7.99€ per month). And you can stop any time! I also got a taste of what Netflix has to offer while at my mom's house, where it is part of her Apple TV package. I especially enjoyed watching the only-on-Netflix series, Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt and the older British series, The IT Crowd (which I'd seen before in some youtube clips). And I started thinking (cue the pros list in my head), access to funny shows and movies and cartoons in my language- we'd never leave the house (cue the cons list)!
And that's why I'm hesitating. Juliette and Remi are very apt to sit in front of the TV for long periods of time. A common complaint from my daughter when I say she needs to cut it off is that there's another great cartoon coming on right after. There's ALWAYS something else on TV, I try to reason with her. It doesn't mean we have to be here all the time. And if we had Netflix there would be that much more to watch!
It's not just them I'm worried about though. It's already hard enough for me to manage my own time and get stuff done what with the lure of Facebook, my blog, youtube videos, emails, accessing the work website from home, etc. I took ages to actually finish my Mindy Project DVDs (seasons 1 and 2) because I never could find the time to sit still long enough to watch them. Or maybe give myself permission to sit down. Let me say I have nothing against some good TV vegging. I'm just worried I would get even less done than I do now.
It's not that expensive though. How often do I waste 8 euro-bucks on inconsequential stuff that breaks or just piles up in my apartment? But I have to think about the other things I am considering buying or paying for...like a used iPhone or buying one through my phone subscription. It's about 250€ for a used iPhone 5. Is it really worth it when my generic smarthone is good enough? But my current phone camera doesn't always have the crystal clear detail of the iPhone, plus I already have other Apple products. And then there's Zumba or a fitness membership. Count about 20€ per month if you're lucky, so that adds up to 240€ per year...about the same as the iPhone.
So if I really think about it, I could pay 240€ for Zumba and get out of the house and off my couch more. Or buy a better phone and take better pictures and use iMessenger all the time with my family in the US. Or catch up on some (not all, cause I checked out the French Netflix with my friend Elsie, and it is not that same as the US one) of my shows for 96€ per year.
So in the end, whether or not I sign up for Netflix is almost an existential* question that could shape the rest of my year. This is too much pressure for me. I think I'll just watch a Mindy season 3 on youtube and think about it later.
*I know this is not a REAL issue. There are of course bigger questions on this planet. Like what to make for dinner.
3 comments:
As long as you keep watching Mindy Kaling, you'll be okay-- she's the best!
I say yes to Netflix! I love it! Although it is absolutely a time bog! I watched Kimmy Schmidt too :)
Pros: All the options. You are not subject to whatever cable TV is offering.
Pros: The price is really affordable and cheaper than cable packages.
Pros: You can watch your favorite episodes over and over and over, obsessively.
Pros: Some programs are being developed only for Netflix, and they are award-winning, or just darn good shows.
Pros: You can access them on your electronic devices, or anywhere you have computer access--just punch in your account info and password. (Think about it, you could show things to your students! In English!)
Cons: May be addictive at first. Requires some self-discipline.
but...then again, PROS: The control you have over what you want to watch!
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