Growing up, the TV was the hearth. Though it lacked the warmth of the traditional fireplace, it still glowed, and it was the only gathering place where we would all come together besides the dinner table (and even then the TV was on in the next room and we were all watching it while we ate).

Watching TV or movies on a computer, or worse- a handheld device like a cell phone, is a very isolating activity. I’m not going to say things were better back when I was a kid, but at least we occupied the same room and there was a modicum of interaction.

And what you point out about the 5.1 thing might be another aspect of the lack of median. (though I imagine TRANSFORMERS is a cacophany of horrible machine sounds and explosions end to end.) Most films and HDTV shows are designed with 5.1 surround, begging the audience to crank it through a multiple speakers. Even MY NAME IS EARL has really decent surround sound.

I watched TRANSFORMERS at home in the studio apartment, and got almost all the way through before my cranky neighbors pounded on the walls to complain about the dolby 5.1 noise. Who knows though - perhaps I’ll watch this week’s Netflix selection, BECKETT, on the ‘pod. That oughtta suit the tiny screen nicely.