My wife and I have been having this "discussion" lately- although usually the handheld screen is the culprit, in my case.
One of my main passions is knowledge. When I was young, acquiring that knowledge required lots of reading and many trips to the local library. One of my most memorable reads was "Andersonville" by MacKinlay Kantor. I was 13 and my imagination created scenes that a movie could never match. In fact, I believe it has been made into a movie but I have not seen it. Anyways- I look at the phone now as a modern version of a handheld library. I can research to my hearts desire any subject imaginable. One has to be discerning, however. I try and avoid most videos on the phone- because it can become like handheld "crack"- you start watching something informative and 2 hours later you find yourself watching Russian dash cam crashes. But- for the purpose of gaining knowledge, I find reading on the phone akin to researching at a library. However, I can't get behind reading a novel on the phone- it's just "not right".
I enjoy TV, but only for certain things, like action movies, westerns, and documentaries. Occasionally news and weather too. TV and Movies are pure escapism to me, and I do enjoy the visual and auditory experience that a 65" tv and a high quality sound system provide. What I can't stand is the advertising and it's left bias, coupled with equally biased programming. Another dislike is "reality" shows- first they're nowhere near "reality", and if I want reality I'll just get off my butt and live it! I also really dislike these movies that tug at your heartstrings- I can't understand why someone would enjoy watching a movie about suffering, loss, pain, heartache. Why would you want to spend the time and tears watching something that you pray never happens to you?
I guess I look at it this way:
A book can describe a tree, and your imagination can build a mental picture. The book can also teach you anything you need about the inner workings of that tree.
But it takes a picture if you want know what a tree really looks like-
But the only way you will ever be able to fully appreciate the majesty of God's creation in a tree is to go outside and experience it for yourself.