More tv time?

When I am reading a book, I can get quite absorbed. As I already stated in the previous post, I am a currently reading a novel called "The Idiot." This is a serious and intent look at life.

I had to laugh at a fellow blogger's advice that I watch more tv. I read his comment after just finishing watching a Canadian sitcom called Corner Gas. It takes place in a small fictitious Saskatchewan town called Dog River. To be honest, I have only watched a couple of episodes but it is terrific and oh, can I relate...

You see, there is one character, Hank, who is the town simpleton. In this episode, he was unsuccessfully trying to convince a town meeting of a great idea he had. The town needs tourists and what better way to attract them but through having a giant replica within their town. (I don't know about other countries but this is a common practise in Canada. We have a a giant moose in Moose Jaw, a giant Easter egg in Vegerville, a giant nickel coin in Sudbury etc.)

Hank cannot express himself well nor persuade, this qualifies him to be an idiot, according to 21st century television. Now this fellow is perhaps worthy of the title, idiot, unlike the genius in Dostoyevsky's book. Dostoyevsky's character is cultured and intelligent. I don't understand why people insist on calling him an idiot except that he is unlike them.

The problem for me is that I related to Hank, not Myshkin. I do not express myself well especially under stress. I am familar to the prairie world. I still have to read further to understand the cultured world of 1869 Russia.

So while reading a book, I also experience it.

I really needed the advice I was given to watch tv. I needed to see a 20th century idiot or at least our society's depiction of one. It is surprising to see the difference between the two.

I needed this comedic break. It brought the story into my world. I can deal with it better in Dog River, for now anyways.