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It sounds paradoxical that we now have fewer televisions on average than we did a decade ago – 1.8 per household as opposed to 2.3 – yet we still end up watching more television: half an hour more a day since 2006 alone.
On one level, the trend is alarming. As we are only awake for about 16 hours a day, ceding another half-hour of that to the TV in just six years, taking the figure over the four-hour mark, seems a lot. Should we spend a quarter of our waking lives in front of the telly?
On the bright side, we are probably becoming more discriminating, as the paradox of watching more TV on fewer TVs is explained by the rise of computers, which at least oblige users to seek out the programmes they want.
The box as a background noise, or as a large object in front of which the whole family sat slumped and semi-comatose, is becoming ancient history. For that, we should be grateful.
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Ed Miliband is staring at an open goal and I know just the pair of strikers to win it for him
Matthew Norman -
Brazilian woman auctions her virginity on site 'Virgins Wanted' - take part in our prostitution survey
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After woman sells virginity for $780,000, here are the results of our prostitution survey
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The Daily Cartoon
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In 1982, debris and flesh were scattered around Hyde Park – human and equine
David McKittrick
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Woolwich attack: As the story of the killing breaks, the EDL will have something sinister in store
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As Google and Apple are probed on tax avoidance, it's time for political leaders around the world to take a stand and stamp the practice out
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Editorial: The case for keeping the Coalition is clear
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What a kiss can tell us about the Royal Family - and our own stiff upper-lip
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Letters: Why A&E units are struggling
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Stop laying into GPs. We don't deserve it
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