Going off the grid

Today I conquered a major antagonist in my life: my cable company. It may seem like a small feat, but it feels so good.

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Thursday, November 11, 2010 - 20:32

Today I decided to cancel my traditional cable in lieu of the new Roku box. I have to say I am quite excited about this, because I have a major aversion toward my local cable company, and because I feel like I am taking a stand. When I think about the state of our nation, we need more people to take the risk to step away from what they are used to and comfortable with and be a little more adventurous.

Yes, it's true I will no longer have 435 channels of entertaining yet pointless television, but I will still have what I absolutely cannot go without: I am keeping basic cable, as well as Netflix, which will allow me to watch football games, the news and the occasional movie. I am saving about $100 in exchange for this sacrifice. Is it worth it? I think so, because I can use that extra money to get off the couch and go out and explore.

We are in the midst of a green movement but the high prices of most of the new technologies are preventing the mainstream public from jumping on the bandwagon. The fear of the unknown is also a major contributing factor. I canceled my cable because I felt I was being taken advantage of, which is one small victory, but I will remain a prisoner to oil companies until I make the larger jump to either an electric car or solar panels.

I will continue to try to do my part by recycling, being conscious of my driving and electricity use, supporting local organizations and working toward increasing the prevalence of solar power. Today, I feel I have taken a step forward and tomorrow I will continue to strive for more.

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Comments: 2

William Nov 16 2010 at 6:51 PM

I'm a little confused at the significance of your decision to cancel your deluxe cable subscription. Are you looking for reassurance from us that you will be OK without the Playboy network? You'll be fine. Congratulations though, and I agree with what you say about new technologies being too expensive for the common man. Cheers

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Ryan Saunders Nov 18 2010 at 8:45 AM

William, In writing this column I was merely using my example with cable as a similar dilemna people are and will face in the future as new technologies lure them away from traditional power such as gas and oil. Watching television and filling up your gas tank are actions that occur frequently for the majority of Americans. There are people with financial restraints that may cause them to use other forms of transportation or to not have the option of having television but when speaking to the large

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majority of Americans this is a safe assumption. Therefore, my article is giving an example of how I am stepping outside of my comfort zone and the similarity this is to people who may have to change their habits in order to facilitate new technologies such as electric cars into their everyday life.

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