I have to admit, my first reaction to the 'cable memo' that we all found upon moving in was one of excitement. Visions of Sportscenter danced through my head as I read the news. And why not? This school has a wide array of information that as students we all have ready access to. We have the internet at the touch of a finger, and we can get "All the news that's fit to print" delivered right to our doorstep. Amazingly all these resources are available to us here in the wilds of New Hampshire. Despite this, our access to television, probably the most widespread and powerful medium of our day, is limited at best. This is somewhat ironic for one of the top colleges in the country.
But, after thinking futher about Dartmouth culture, and the kind of effect that cable would have on this school, I have decided that cable simply doesn't fit here. Not that I wouldn't enjoy having it, I just don't think it belongs in the dorms. Television at Dartmouth serves a different role than it does at home, or most other colleges. At home, I watch television to pass the time or procrastinate. The television here is available to watch a certain show at a certain time. There is no need to channel surf the hours away. We all have enough to distract us or occupy our time without adding cable to the mix.
TV, as it exists at Dartmouth, is a good thing. It serves to bring the community closer together. When we do watch television, it is generally a group activity. People gather for Seinfeld across campus every Thursday, and the reason is not only the sharp wit of the show, it is also for the company. My UGA from last year continues her tradition of the Seinfeld study break with her former shmen, not because the show is so great, (which it is) but because it affords an excuse to get together and keep in touch on a campus where everybody is always busy with their own interests and always running on different schedules. Watching TV actually forces us to come out of our rooms and interact. By installing cable in all the dorms, that element of our community would be lost.
We already lack reasons to emerge from our cubicles, and we don't need to add another one. Just today I got a blitz from someone on my hall who was sitting no more than ten yards away. While conveniences like blitz are wonderful to have, it is important that we don't forget the benefits of leaving the door open, and actually talking to people face to face. Even using the phone can be pleasant, though you must be careful that you don't cause shock by doing this.
By activating cable, an essential aspect of our Dartmouth community would be destroyed. And sadly enough, I think it might be inevitable. Even if it doesn't happen during my tenure here, I find it hard to believe that Dartmouth will somehow escape the fate of so many other institutions. I just hope that the frolic on the Green that is so familiar today doesn't turn into a zombie like stare at glowing TVs tomorrow. Perhaps the strong students that Dartmouth is known for will be able to remain true to the character of the College, even with cable in their rooms.
