By Dom Cioffi
I tend to be a creature of habit. I drink coffee every morning from the same mug; I go to the same movie theater and sit in the same spot; I’ve jogged the same route every other day for nearly a decade; I’ve even driven the same model of vehicle since I first started buying cars.
I haven’t dug too deeply into the meaning of my habitual patterns, but like most people, when I get comfortable with something, I’m content to just remain there. Like the old adage states: “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.”
This is likely why I’ve stuck with cable television for most of my adult life, even though, deep down, I haven’t been particularly happy with the cost-benefit ratio. It’s not like I’ve been disappointed with what cable offers in terms of entertainment. It feels more like I’m being fiscally taken advantage of since I’ve been paying $200+ for a lower-end package.
Recently, however, I decided to shake things up.
I’ve analyzed the pros and cons of cord cutting for years — literally. And each time I’ve done it, I’ve come to the same conclusion: it makes sense to drop cable and sign on with a streaming service. However, every time I get ready to call the cable company, I back out for fear that I missed something and I’ll be unhappy with my decision.
This is ironic given that I barely watch television anymore. Other than sports and an occasional news show, I never turn the TV on. My wife only watches the news and an occasional Hallmark movie, and my son only watches Netflix, so sticking with cable was like throwing money away each month.
I finally decided to pull the plug two months ago when I dropped my cable service and signed up for YouTube TV — and I can honestly tell you, it was the best move I’ve ever made.
First, I don’t have to deal with a cable box anymore. That’s generally not a huge issue, but in my living room it was a major pain because the box sat just out of range of my remote control, which meant that I was constantly waving my arm and pressing the channel button to get it to work.
YouTube TV streams directly into my television, making the whole process clean and efficient.
Secondly, YouTube TV offers all the channels I’m interested in, including sports and local news. I honestly have not had once instance where there was a show or event airing that I couldn’t access.
Third, in terms of quality of the picture and reception, again, no difference. YouTube TV streams beautifully through my fiberoptic line without any delays or interruptions.
And finally, YouTube TV costs less than half of my cable bill. That alone makes it worth changing — the other aspects are just icing on the cake.
In fact, the only downside I can think of is that I’ve just given YouTube (which is actually Google), even more access into my personal life. Everyone knows Google is constantly collecting data via their apps, phones, and browsers, and selling it to corporations for targeted marketing, and here I’ve gone and given them yet another gateway into my consumer tendencies.
Regardless, I’m a fan of YouTube, especially in recent years as the magnitude and variety of content has skyrocketed. And given our ever-decreasing attention spans, YouTube is built for people who prefer to jump around from subject to subject.
One of my favorite YouTube channels is called “Soft White Underbelly.”
The channel is the brainchild of Mark Laita, a professional photographer who began to interview homeless people he encountered on the streets of urban slums. He started with profiles of pimps, hookers, and addicts on Skid Row in Los Angeles, before eventually moving on to gang members, nudists, and even Mafia dons from around the country.
Currently, Laita’s channel (with 3.1 million subscribers) has over 1500+ interviews that have been watched more than 500 million times. Often, these videos are not easy to watch, but they do give these misunderstood people a voice, while also giving the viewer an insight into how damaged and desperate individuals can become when their life circumstances are derelict.
This week’s feature, “Lead Me Home,” a 2022 Oscar-nominated short film available on Netflix, also delves into the homelessness problem, but in this case, the focus is on the day-to-day struggle.
Most people don’t understand the magnitude of the current homelessness problem in the United States or the underlying factors that contribute to it. While “Lead Me Home” only scratches the surface of the problem, it does provide and artful and emotional review of a way of life that most of us choose to ignore.
A transitory “B” for “Lead Me Home.”
Got a question or comment for Dom? You can email him at [email protected].
