Tag Archives: binge watching

We all are born with certain talents or gifts.

Binge watching is one of mine.

Now, you might argue that all of us can binge watch a television show or mini-series as long as we have access on Netflix or OnDemand.

I beg to differ.

As Liam Neeson would say, “It takes a particular set of skills.”

1. Sitting still for long periods of time. I list this first because I feel it is most important. If you are a person who needs to ‘piddle,’ — always getting up and doing something, whether it’s eating or drinking or using the bathroom or organizing your pencils — binge watching will be difficult for you. It will take you weeks to watch the new season of Orange is the New Black. A true binge watcher can do it in two days. Max.
2. Focus (or multi-tasking while still watching TV). I give you a choice here, because I find that I use both methods during my long binge-watching sessions.  Some episodes demand my complete attention. Others offer small windows of opportunity to check email or IM with a friend (which still ‘watching’ the program.) Can you handle the singularity?
3. Organizing your life. You cannot take two days to binge watch House of Cards or Bloodlines unless you can clear your calendar.  And that involves getting things done in the days and weeks preceding the binge watch, which is made possible–in my house, anyway–by exhaustive list making.  If it isn’t written down, it usually doesn’t get done.  And I have to get a lot of stuff done to justify a big ol’ two-day binge.
4. Bladder control. Contrary to popular belief, bladders do not come in a variety of sizes. They are all the same — male and female, adult and child. What does vary is our muscle control and ability to ‘hold our bladder.’ Not having to get up every 30 minutes makes #1 and #2 more plausible (and will help you be more efficient at checking off line items on #3).

Best of luck with your next binge watch!