Re: Cable tv ... utility?


"Anim8rFSK" <ANIM8Rfsk@xxxxxxx> wrote in message
news:ANIM8Rfsk-3FE010.07133201072006@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
In article <ZIedneoqRLJfxDvZnZ2dnUVZ_rCdnZ2d@xxxxxxxxxxx>,
"Ken from Chicago" <kwicker1b_nospam@xxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:

CABLE

What? PAY for tv? Who'd be fool enough to pay for tv when you can get it
for
free? That was the thought 20-30 years ago. Cable was just a passing fad
or
gimmick (like video phones). Shirley no way it would catch on. Right?
Still,
now with the majority of American homes having cable (as of 2001, almost
2
thirds of households making less than $15,000 yearly had cable, up 87
percent for households making over $75,000), it would seem cable has made
the transistion from luxury to utility.

Or can the argument really be made that cable is not a "gotta" have it
service that has become a "utility", but is more optional (like cell
phone
service, internet service or broadband internet)?

Well, by definition:

1. A private business organization, subject to governmental
regulation, that provides an essential commodity or service, such as
water, electricity, transportation, or communication, to the public.

I think the only iffy word in there is 'essential' -- other than that,
cable clearly qualifies.

And I think that having 'essential' in that definition is a problem in
any event. For instance, 'gas' is a utility, but I don't have it. My
home is total electric. Gas is in no way shape or form essential to me
(or to anyone as there's a clear alternative), but I wouldn't argue it's
ceased to be a utility.

But, ah, there's the rub. Having been through hurricanes, when the
electricity is out for days, perchance weeks, at a time, the old gas stove
has kept us going cooking wise :)


.

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