Cable: bad idea? Unnecessary? Forum

[anniesaysrelax]

I'm in the process of setting up utilities and am trying to decide if I'm going to get cable for my apartment. I could save money by just getting internet and using Hulu/Netflix for watching the occasional show, but I'm thinking it would be nice to have cable for when you just need a break from studying. I hate to waste money on something I'll barely use though, so it may just be better to not get it.

Thoughts?

[KibblesAndVick]

I watch enough live sports that I justify the cost of cable. Although the ratio of Netflix to cable (excluding sports) for what I watch is like 3:1. If you exclude HBO it's probably like 5:1.

I currently live with several roommates so the cost is very reasonable. Once I'm not splitting the bill it might be a more difficult choice. Also, during 1L you should be studying not watching TV. So maybe forcing yourself to live a more spartan lifestyle will translate into higher grades.

[itsfine]

yeah, are you living with people? I decided not to have a tv in my room, but I live with 2 other people, so we obviously have a common room with a tv in it. If I need to watch tv, I watch it in there, but i figured one in my room was unnecessary especially if I am doing work in my room.

its cheap when you are splitting it among roomates, and when your not paying for a box just for your own room

[djjf39]

If you pay for internet, then there is no reason to also pay for cable. Even live sporting events can be found on the web with enough effort. If your goal is to save money, then I would invest a few hours into googling how to not pay for TV. Most people seem to think this sort of thing is difficult, but in reality once you find the site you're golden (although occasionally the sites will be taken down).

Although the above assumes that you have a decent internet connection that is not overtaxed downloading porn.

[Jarndyce]

If you would get cable if you weren't going to law school, get cable. Law school is a lot of studying, but it really does not have to be this radical departure from reality that everyone tries to make it. Before the final two months of my first semester, I hardly ever studied past 6 or 6:30 or on the weekends, and I am in the top 5%. Success does not require constant studying- just focused, smart studying.

[Burger in a can]

FWIW, I have no television and I don't ever miss it...

I think TV is on its way out- going the way of the landline telephone.

[rv11]

I think TV is on its way out- going the way of the landline telephone.

[SeymourShowz]

I don't have a TV anymore.... and don't miss it a bit

[dominkay]

Didn't your mother ever tell you that television rots your brain?

It's certainly not a necessity.

[jay115]

hulu + other legally-questionable TV sites.

[Snoopy1216]

but what about Entourage???

[catharsis]

lol not only did i get cable but the provider i went with i got a deal on their full channel HD lineup including HBO. i just need to have it there as a release incase i ever go insane.

plus it ended up being cheaper than the ripoff my apartment tried to lay on me if i went through them.

[Ty Webb]

People who don't require cable are quite obviously not sports fans.

I can't fathom how weird and uncompetitive life must be for those who don't follow sports teams.

[Burger in a can]

People who don't require cable are quite obviously not sports fans.

I can't fathom how weird and uncompetitive life must be for those who don't follow sports teams.

Our lives lack the fantasy that because a group of men are wearing a jersey representing our city/state/region, we should give a shit about whatever it is that they're doing. Even though these men aren't originally from our city/state/region, and the corporations that own the logos on those jerseys do nothing at all to enrich our lives, or to better our city/state/region.

I'm from New England so... GO SOX!?!?!?!?!

[Ty Webb]

People who don't require cable are quite obviously not sports fans.

I can't fathom how weird and uncompetitive life must be for those who don't follow sports teams.

Our lives lack the fantasy that because a group of men are wearing a jersey representing our city/state/region, we should give a shit about whatever it is that they're doing. Even though these men aren't originally from our city/state/region, and the corporations that own the logos on those jerseys do nothing at all to enrich our lives, or to better our city/state/region.

I'm from New England so... GO SOX!?!?!?!?!

I bet you can command a room in an interview with red-blooded American men.

[Baylan]

People who don't require cable are quite obviously not sports fans.

I can't fathom how weird and uncompetitive life must be for those who don't follow sports teams.

Our lives lack the fantasy that because a group of men are wearing a jersey representing our city/state/region, we should give a shit about whatever it is that they're doing. Even though these men aren't originally from our city/state/region, and the corporations that own the logos on those jerseys do nothing at all to enrich our lives, or to better our city/state/region alma mater.

I'm from New England so... GO SOX!?!?!?!?!

College Sports win.

[Burger in a can]

People who don't require cable are quite obviously not sports fans.

I can't fathom how weird and uncompetitive life must be for those who don't follow sports teams.

Our lives lack the fantasy that because a group of men are wearing a jersey representing our city/state/region, we should give a shit about whatever it is that they're doing. Even though these men aren't originally from our city/state/region, and the corporations that own the logos on those jerseys do nothing at all to enrich our lives, or to better our city/state/region alma mater.

I'm from New England so... GO SOX!?!?!?!?!

College Sports win.

So wait, the fact that some guys were recruited to attend a school because of their athletic prowess makes their performance somehow personal to you? Because you attended the same school/live in the same state? I still don't get it.


Well actually, I get it. I just think it's retarded. But to each his own.

[Burger in a can]

People who don't require cable are quite obviously not sports fans.

I can't fathom how weird and uncompetitive life must be for those who don't follow sports teams.

Our lives lack the fantasy that because a group of men are wearing a jersey representing our city/state/region, we should give a shit about whatever it is that they're doing. Even though these men aren't originally from our city/state/region, and the corporations that own the logos on those jerseys do nothing at all to enrich our lives, or to better our city/state/region.

I'm from New England so... GO SOX!?!?!?!?!

I bet you can command a room in an interview with red-blooded American men.

"Well, Burger, we're impressed by your qualifications, but the fact that you aren't a Budweiser-chugging jockstrap who smells like date rape and fries his braincells by staring at the flicker of a giant glowing screen occupied by sweaty men who are chasing after inanimate objects, unfortunately disqualifies you from consideration. Good luck, nerd!"

[artichoke]

BLAH tv. Hate it.

[beach_terror]

People who don't require cable are quite obviously not sports fans.

I can't fathom how weird and uncompetitive life must be for those who don't follow sports teams.

Our lives lack the fantasy that because a group of men are wearing a jersey representing our city/state/region, we should give a shit about whatever it is that they're doing. Even though these men aren't originally from our city/state/region, and the corporations that own the logos on those jerseys do nothing at all to enrich our lives, or to better our city/state/region alma mater.

I'm from New England so... GO SOX!?!?!?!?!

College Sports win.

College basketball and any soccer is TCR.

[megaTTTron]

I think TV is on its way out- going the way of the landline telephone.

aaaaaaaaaaaaahahah

[legalease9]

If you would get cable if you weren't going to law school, get cable. Law school is a lot of studying, but it really does not have to be this radical departure from reality that everyone tries to make it. Before the final two months of my first semester, I hardly ever studied past 6 or 6:30 or on the weekends, and I am in the top 5%. Success does not require constant studying- just focused, smart studying.

I don't think its about the radical departure from reality so much as the radical departure from income.

I say don't get cable. There are too many alternative options if you've got the net and Netflix.

[sundevil77]

People who don't require cable are quite obviously not sports fans.

This really gets at the heart of the issue. If there are things you watch to which there are no satisfactory alternatives, cable is something you're going to dearly miss. As an avid sports fan myself, it would be extremely difficult to go without-- I know. I did it for about 6 months in my last apartment and absolutely hated it.

If you don't watch sports or live news broadcasts or something, then I would say this is one corner worth cutting.

[legalease9]

People who don't require cable are quite obviously not sports fans.

This really gets at the heart of the issue. If there are things you watch to which there are no satisfactory alternatives, cable is something you're going to dearly miss. As an avid sports fan myself, it would be extremely difficult to go without-- I know. I did it for about 6 months in my last apartment and absolutely hated it.

If you don't watch sports or live news broadcasts or something, then I would say this is one corner worth cutting.

This is fair. I admit that I don't do sports, and as such this may be a consideration I don't put enough importance on.

I'm shocked that they haven't come up with an acceptable online alternative, but it doesn't seem they have.

Still, that's an expensive fee for sports.

[chicagolaw2013]

Cable = way to zone out/not have to focus on law-school-related stuff.

If you have a common room, split it with your roomies. If your "study area" is your room, avoid having a cable box in there. If I had any contact with a TV in my "office" room, no work would ever get done.