Netflix Culture: The Effects of Netflix on Society

Binge-watching

Thanks to Netflix, there has arisen a new strain of zombies: the binge-watchers. According to en.oxforddictionaries.com, binge watching means to "watch multiple episodes of (a television program) in rapid succession, typically by means of DVDs or digital streaming." This means that staring blankly at a computer screen or smart TV for hours has become so popular that the oxford dictionary has declared "binge-watching" as an official word. Many Netflix owners partake in this activity because Netflix releases episodes by the season instead of the usual one per week routine like cable. Why go through the suspense of a cliff hanger ending when the next episode is just a click away? 

Before Netflix, there was a time when people would discuss each episode one at a time. The day after a new episode of ER aired, everyone at school or work would be chatting about their thoughts, feelings, and predictions of the storyline. Since binge-watching has become so popular now, it is difficult to be at the same point of the season as someone else. This makes discussing the show nearly impossible because of the risk of spoilers. 

Less people talking to each other about the show leads to more of an isolated experience. 

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