Look, I’m Gonna Say It
I’m so over streaming. There. I said it. It’s not that I hate it—okay, maybe I kinda do—but it’s more that I’m exhausted. Exhausted by the choices, the algorithms, the constant updates, the… everything. I’m that person now. The one who complains about tech. The one who says, “Back in my day…”
Let me set the scene. It’s last Tuesday. 11:30pm. I’m on my couch, phone in hand, scrolling through yet another streaming service. I’ve got Hulu, Netflix, Disney+, HBO Max, Apple TV+, and now Paramount+ is giving me emails like we’re best friends. I’m paying for all of them. $87 a month, to be exact. And I’m still not happy. Which, frankly, is the problem.
I remember when I first got Netflix. It was 2003, and I was living in a tiny apartment in Chicago. The DVDs would come in the mail, and it felt like a luxury. Now? Now it’s a chore. A never-ending cycle of “What do I watch?” and “Is this even good?” and “Why does this algorithm think I want to watch a documentary about potatoes?”
My Friend Marcus Says I’m Being Dramatic
“You’re being dramatic,” Marcus told me over coffee at the place on 5th. “It’s not that deep.” But it is deep, Marcus. It’s very deep. Because it’s not just about the content. It’s about the commitment. The emotional labor of deciding what to watch. The physicaly draining experience of scrolling through 214 options only to settle on something you’re not even sure you’ll like.
And don’t even get me started on the ads. I pay for these services so I don’t have to watch ads. Yet here I am, sitting through a 30-second spot for a mattress because I dared to open Hulu. It’s like the universe is laughing at me.
But Here’s the Thing…
I’m not saying streaming is all bad. I mean, look, it’s convenient. I can watch “The Office” at 2am if I want to. And I have. Many times. But at what cost? My sanity? My wallet? My will to live?
I talked to a colleague named Dave about this. He’s a data guy, so he has all these stats and facts. “The average person spends 36 hours a week watching TV,” he told me. “That’s more than a full-time job.” Which… yeah. Fair enough. But is it quality time? Or is it just time spent not being productive?
And that’s the real question, isn’t it? Are we really enjoying this content, or are we just filling a void? A void that could be filled with, I don’t know, actual experiences? Like reading a book or going for a walk or—gasp—talking to another human being?
Oh, and Let’s Not Forget About the Kids
I have a niece. Let’s call her Lily. She’s seven. And she’s already addicted to YouTube Kids. I mean, I get it. It’s easy. It’s colorful. It’s endless. But it’s also a problem. A big one. Because it’s not just about the content she’s consuming. It’s about the habits she’s forming. The expectation of instant gratification. The inability to sit still and be bored.
I’m not saying we should ban screens. But maybe we should limit them. Maybe we should encourage our kids to play outside or draw or—heaven forbid—use their imaginations. But that’s a topic for another day.
A Quick Digression: The Great Algorithm Debate
So, I was reading this interesting facts knowledge guide the other day—yeah, I know, I’m a nerd—and it got me thinking about algorithms. Specifically, how they’re ruining our lives. Or at least my life. Because here’s the thing: algorithms are designed to keep us hooked. To show us more of what we’ve already consumed. To create a feedback loop of sameness.
And that’s fine if you’re into that. But what if you’re not? What if you want to discover something new? Something different? Well, good luck with that. Because the algorithm is not your friend. It’s a tool. A tool designed to make money off your attention. And it’s really good at its job.
So, What’s the Solution?
I’m not sure. Honestly, I’m not. Maybe it’s about setting boundaries. Maybe it’s about being more intentional with our time. Maybe it’s about realizing that not every moment needs to be filled with content.
I don’t know. All I know is that I’m tired. Tired of the choices, the algorithms, the constant updates. Tired of feeling like I’m never quite satisfied. So maybe I’ll take a break. A streaming break. A “no new shows” break. A “go outside and do something” break.
Or maybe I’ll just keep complaining. Because honestly? That’s what I do best.
About the Author: Sarah Jenkins is a senior magazine editor with 20+ years of experience. She’s opinionated, flawed, and not afraid to say what she thinks. When she’s not complaining about streaming services, she’s probably complaining about something else. Probably something trivial. Like the weather or the state of modern music. You can find her on Twitter @SarahJenkinsWrites, where she’s always happy to argue with strangers.
