MSE News: TV and internet a necessity for half of Britain

Former_MSE_Guy

This is the discussion thread for the following MSE News Story:

"These gadgets – as well as cookers, boilers and fridges – are now a core part of many households ..."

Read the full story:
TV and internet a necessity for half of Britain

rpb

Clearly there is a minority who didn't take the survey too seriously:

6% think cable TV a "necessity" when a significant number of people get by quite happily without it? (And I, for one, prefer not having to pay even more for many more channels full of rubbish - I can't get through the things I record on the 40 or so Freeview channels that I get!)

At the other extreme, 11% and 14% don't consider a cooker or a fridge a necessity. Theoretically you can survive without them, but food poisoning may result and nutrition suffer in many people without a fridge to keep food fresh and a cooker to cook meat/fish that require it.

:huh:

WestonDave

Relying on what people think is a necessity may be a dangerous path - I suspect a fair proportion of those seeking debt help on here got into trouble spending on things they thought necessary at the time - i.e. latest fashions etc.

ElkyElky

rpb wrote: »

At the other extreme, 11% and 14% don't consider a cooker or a fridge a necessity. Theoretically you can survive without them, but food poisoning may result and nutrition suffer in many people without a fridge to keep food fresh and a cooker to cook meat/fish that require it.

:huh:

Those people are obviously the ones to rely on take-aways rather than nutritious home cooked meals.

DarkConvict

Im surprised with all the gadgets, and technology that web access is less than 50%. Web access is increasingly becoming a utility like gas/electric/water. I was expecting 70% or above.

Im a little struck that some people consider a games console a nessecity, i guess it helps them keep the kids busy when they need time to themselves.

StumpyPumpy

Maybe people might have reconsidered their priorities had the list included some of the real necessities such as access to clean water, sanitation and education not just household items such as tvs and phones, which in the global scheme of things, are all fluff.
I also suspect that not having a "None" or "Other" option (meaning that everyone voting had to select at least one of the items), forced the respondents' hand somewhat. Though it does highlight that apparently at least 11% thought one or more of the other options was more necessary to have than a cooker. This seems crazy to me, but maybe they picked the boiler instead. Any chance of getting access to the raw data, not just a summary, so we could see how many enjoy the campfire life? I'd also love to know if anyone thought a games console or satellite/cable was essential but a TV wasn't.

Sooler

How can 7401 (49% of 15,105) MSE visitors who answered an internet poll equate to "half of Britain" when 27% of Britain don't even have access to the internet!!!

jenniewb

Given the choice, when I was able to get together the money, I spent it on a computer and didn't get a cooker, freezer or oven. I survive with a microwave and fridge for food cooking/storage and can say that additional cooking things are nice, but not essential. Its been this way for nearly 7 years now.

I guess its each to their own again though- I rely on my computer as I have insomnia issues, don't find the 2 channels my TV gets (cannot pick up ANY other sigals) are anything that occupy my mind and radio is not an option as I have neighbours and paper thin walls. The computer I have is a lifeline for everything from my health to my day to day social life and given the choice I'd chose the internet over a cooking element again!

Cardew

rpb wrote: »

At the other extreme, 11% and 14% don't consider a cooker or a fridge a necessity. Theoretically you can survive without them, but food poisoning may result and nutrition suffer in many people without a fridge to keep food fresh and a cooker to cook meat/fish that require it.

:huh:

Some people - particularly in tiny flats - cook with a microwave. Ready made meals from a supermarket.

Likewise, why would a fridge be a necessity if you shopped every day.?

jenniewb

Cardew wrote: »

Some people - particularly in tiny flats - cook with a microwave. Ready made meals from a supermarket.

Likewise, why would a fridge be a necessity if you shopped every day.?

I live in a small flat- no space for a cooker (and no money either!) I find fridges are very useful for buying end-of-day reductions and being able to feed myself for more then the day I bought the product.

jackdaw

rpb wrote: »

Clearly there is a minority who didn't take the survey too seriously:

6% think cable TV a "necessity" when a significant number of people get by quite happily without it? (And I, for one, prefer not having to pay even more for many more channels full of rubbish - I can't get through the things I record on the 40 or so Freeview channels that I get!)

At the other extreme, 11% and 14% don't consider a cooker or a fridge a necessity. Theoretically you can survive without them, but food poisoning may result and nutrition suffer in many people without a fridge to keep food fresh and a cooker to cook meat/fish that require it.

:huh:

I lived without a fridge for a few years and it was fine. Never got food poisoning. Even now, I barely use it and would find it easy to dump it (I don't eat dairy). As for cooking, you're assuming that they have meat/fish that they need to cook and also, there are alternatives to cookers e.g. microwaves, eating out, electric steamers, different type of food. It depends on priorities and lifestyle.

How can 7401 (49% of 15,105) MSE visitors who answered an internet poll equate to "half of Britain" when 27% of Britain don't even have access to the internet!!!

I didn't like that either - this isn't a representative survey to be able to extrapolate to 'half of Britain' from. It's representative of people who visit MSE and participated in the poll, more like.