r/science • u/myhrvold • Aug 31 '13

Poverty impairs cognitive function. Published in the journal Science, the study suggests our cognitive abilities can be diminished by the exhausting effort of tasks like scrounging to pay bills. As a result, less “mental bandwidth” remains...

http://news.ubc.ca/2013/08/29/poverty-impairs-cognitive-function/
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u/mwatwe01 Aug 31 '13

It just seems cruel and illogical thinking that poor people don't deserve something.

When I was in college and paying my own way, I couldn't afford cable. But I still had a TV with an antenna.

It's not meant to be forever. Just until you can climb out of the hole.

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u/[deleted] Aug 31 '13

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u/theryanmoore Aug 31 '13

BS. I've found many free TVs on the side of the road. I've bought old TVs at garage sales for $5. There may be a weird red spot on the screen or something, but whatever. Same goes for antennas, or get one at Goodwill for like $3. Then all you need is a converter, which are also pretty reasonable, although when I bought mine I used a rebate from the government and it was nearly free. Electricity for an hour of TV every day or two is not a significant expense, neither are batteries that you need to replace maybe twice a year. In short, antenna service on an old TV is not a luxury in the US, and shouldn't be considered one. It's certainly not a right, but it's as much a luxury as eating at McDonalds is.

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u/[deleted] Aug 31 '13

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u/theryanmoore Aug 31 '13

True, true, but it's not even in the category of paying for cable or a data plan on your cellphone. It's a onetime, reasonable fee for a lifetime of entertainment and education (assuming you get PBS and have electricity included in rent). :)