That’s right, you heard me say it: binge-watching is good for you. I know what you’re thinking Mom and Dad: What about playing outside? Social interaction? Physical activity? That sweet burn of lactic acid in your muscles after a good workout?
To that, Mom and Dad, I say shenanigans. Pure poppycock. This is the 21st Century we’re living in! How could one not be expected to take full advantage of the technological wonders that we’ve been graced with (i.e. Netflix). To neglect to do so would be foolhardy at best.
As such, I’ve compiled the top reasons why that most hallowed of streaming experiences is what you should be doing with your free time:
1. Binge-watch for Continuity’s Sake
Gone are the days of bumbling from episode to episode, having to be reminded of what happened last week. Gone are the times of having to reach back 7 days in memory to recall this intricate detail or that. While binge-watching you get the story as it should be: right up front and all in one fell swoop.
2. It Creates a More In-depth Story Than a Two-hour Movie
In that same line of thinking, binge-watching allows for a much deeper understanding of character, setting, plot, and every other element that makes up a good story. With a standard Hollywood flick or traditional TV show, there’s only so much that they can pack into one sitting. Why limit yourself? Binge-watch instead and spend days, weekends, heck whole weeks immersing yourself into the show world.
3. Friends Who Binge-Watch Together, Stay Together
Friendships are weird. Most of the time, friends are bound together in really quirky ways; you sat next to each other on the first day of class or your families lived on the same block. The glue that really finishes off the cement though are common experiences, and I don’t know of any way better to bond with someone than to share in an epic time of binge-watching. Short of committing crime or sharing a foxhole, I don’t know what could bring two (or more) people closer together
4. Up Your Consumption
How many movies and/or TV shows can you truly watch if you’re limiting yourself to just a couple per day? The world’s a fast-moving place and you’ve got to keep somehow. Binge-watching is the perfect way to do that! You’ll be ahead of all your friends who’re consuming mass media as fast as it’s being spit out.
5. Honestly, You’ve Got Nothing Better to Do with Your Time
Let’s be real here: what else do you have to do? Certainly, not cleaning that mounting pile of dirty dishes or getting a jump on that paper that’s due at the end of the week. Certainly not. No, your effort is much better spent on that one pastime that can really elicit true jubilee: binge-watching.
So, the next time someone tells you that you’re watching “too much”, or that you’ve crossed the line when it comes to your time management habits, tell them politely to shove off. Because you know what you’re doing. You know the benefits, and darn it, you’re going to exploit them to the fullest.
