My thoughts...
The TV originally provided a sort of an alternative hearth - the gathering place. At some point, TVs began to get smaller and cheaper, and it became socially acceptable to have multiple TVs in the house. In each bedroom, and a videogame TV in a play room and so on.
The home theater emerged as the new symbolic gathering place. I've done so many in-home interviews where the families have pointed with pride to their large-screen TV and audio system as a place to Watch Movies Together. I'm not talking about actual usage here as much as the vicarious experience and display of family values that such a device affords. The powerful visual symbolism of a big TV says several things - income, gadget-savvy male, and also family time. As families feel the dispersement of their members into separate hobbies and lifestyles, this technology promises to bring everyone together, it suggests special events, such as Friday Pizza and Movie Night, etc.
You've got lots of homes where the garage has been converted to a sports and action-film environment as well, sure, but this family story was worth bringing up, I thought.
Posted by Steve Portigal at November 8, 2004 12:11 PM