I'm not at all refuting what you're saying. I believe it. I do want to say, however, that from my limited understanding it's more likely not the negative effe

I'm not at all refuting what you're saying. I believe it. I do want to say, however, that from my limited understanding it's more likely not the negative effects of television itself, but more a lack of positive influence. That is, time spent watching television is time spent not engaging in more creative pastimes typical to children of that age. Things like play, exercise, socializing, and testing limits in various ways. Almost any resource on brain development and function will spell out that the early years of childhood are the most crucial, and development during that time will influence your development throughout the rest of your life. I mean, without diving deeper and finding real resources, I'll predict that there's no special poison that makes television so detrimental, it's the displacement of other positive stimuli in childhood. I didn't read your other sources, don't have the time presently -- is this generally apt? Or are they more pointed than my take?