Television, Altered States and Fantasy Worlds

Abstract

Here I present my results from fieldwork with various individuals who agreed to be interviewed about their TV experiences. All described TV viewing as their primary altered state of consciousness (ASC) inducer. Literature on TV and ASCs is sparse, but a few studies identify ASCs, often described as ‘dream-like states’ or ‘a trance state’. Some literature suggests that TV induces fantasy ASCs and allows for multiple reality experience. This may involve TV characters experienced as real. These ASCs were all familiar to participants who often used TV to enter a fantasy world. I mention therapeutic effects and refer to studies which draw on psychoanalytic theory. I introduce the group and explain how TV is used in their lives, highlighting examples which involve excessive fantasy worlds. TV is described as having a mild therapeutic effect, although some negative experiences are also reported. Some used TV as a springboard to induce personal ASCs unrelated to the programme being viewed. TV did not induce sacred states. Other inducers included: use of prayer, use of Nordic runes to induce ASCs, and the fantasy world of Dungeons and Dragons. This group had a rich fantasy ability which they used for maximum enjoyment of their TV experience.