Social media and its integration with television has enhanced the viewing experience. “Live tweeting” is when viewers and perhaps even the actors of a certain show will tweet their thoughts as the show airs. For those individuals who are watching live, the concept of live tweeting is extremely beneficial and rewarding.
However….
As much as I would like to be watching TV all the time, I simply do not have the time to do so. In a perfect world, I would be on my couch eating raspberries and binge watching Breaking Bad* or some other popular show (Scandal*, perhaps). This isn’t a perfect world though and when people are using social media to discuss episodes I haven’t seen, well, I get upset.
As a viewer, I invest a lot of time on a television show. If the show is written well enough, the viewer begins to feel empathetic for the characters and sometimes will even feel part of that imaginary world (yes, sometimes I feel as if I am in Rosewood trying to figure out who ‘A’ is)*.
I know some people may be asking me why I can’t just avoid social media in general, which would technically get rid of two of my obsessions (Twitter and TV). The truth is, I simply cannot. Checking my Twitter account has become almost second nature. I just wish there was a way to hide spoilers from appearing on my Twitter timeline or my Facebook newsfeed. I don’t think I’m asking for a lot, considering my other request would be to add another two hours to the day (which would allot me two Breaking Bad episodes).
So for the TV-aholic and the social media addict, I do feel as if my annoyance and concern is viable. I can’t be the only one with these concerns, right?