--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: TV was like a third parent- a source of…" description: "\"“TV was like a third parent- a source of ideas and information and impressions. and not such a bad parent- always with time to spare, always eager to p..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ce1/bill-mckibben-1057_bad-parent_tv-was-like-a-third-parent-a-source-of-i_878419.jpg" --- # TV was like a third parent- a source of ideas and… ![“TV was like a third parent- a source of ideas and information and impressions. and not such a bad parent- always with time to spare, always eager to please, often funny.” quote by Bill McKibben](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ce1/bill-mckibben-1057_bad-parent_tv-was-like-a-third-parent-a-source-of-i_878419.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ce1/bill-mckibben-1057_bad-parent_tv-was-like-a-third-parent-a-source-of-i_878419.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ce1/bill-mckibben-1057_bad-parent_tv-was-like-a-third-parent-a-source-of-i_878419.jpg) > ““TV was like a third parent- a source of ideas and information and impressions. and not such a bad parent- always with time to spare, always eager to please, often funny.”” [Bill McKibben](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-mckibben/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Describes media as a constant, informal teacher that both informs and entertains. **In simple terms:** Media acts like a helpful, ever‑present mentor. Key Takeaway Use media wisely, recognize its influence. Themes information entertainment influence Mood thoughtful critical Type observational philosophical When to use this quote - news consumption - educational content - family media habits Key Concepts media literacy cultural impact Questions to Reflect On - In what ways does media shape your values? - How can you balance media use? A Different Perspective Risk of over‑reliance on passive consumption. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Bad parent](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/bad-parent/) [Information Impressions](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/information-impressions-1028805/) [Like Parent](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/like-parent-467300/) [Parent](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/parent/) [Parent Source](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/parent-source-1028804/) [Television](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/television/) [Time](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/time/) [Tv Like](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/tv-like-383107/) ## Related quotes > [One thing I know is that it is a bad idea to marry someone who had bad parents. 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She was the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/c-j-omololu/i-closed-the-cover-and-stared-at-it-how-dare-she-have-dreams-while/) [C.J. Omololu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/c-j-omololu/) > [All great directors - however, they do it - make you want to be good. I hope I do it. It's like being a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ann-reinking/all-great-directors-however-they-do-it-make-you-want-to-be-good-i/) [Ann Reinking](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ann-reinking/) > [I felt like as a parent, I had to be tough and strong and keep it all together, but I wasn't actually always all…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cynthia-germanotta/i-felt-like-as-a-parent-i-had-to-be-tough-and-strong-and-keep-it-all/) [Cynthia Germanotta](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cynthia-germanotta/) ## More by Bill McKibben > [I try not to be either optimistic or pessimistic. I try not to think about outcomes on that scale. My job, it seems to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-mckibben/i-try-not-to-be-either-optimistic-or-pessimistic-i-try-not-to-think/) [Bill McKibben](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-mckibben/) > [Oil companies are radical because they're willing to alter the chemical composition of the atmosphere.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-mckibben/oil-companies-are-radical-because-they-re-willing-to-alter-the/) [Bill McKibben](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-mckibben/) > [Whenever anyone challenges anything, the powers that be try to paint them as extremists or radicals or whatever. 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No discussions,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-mckibben/i-ve-sat-behind-a-microphone-and-listened-for-decades-as-americans/) [Bill McKibben](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-mckibben/) > [People in low-lying countries like Bangladesh with almost 140 million people who are managing to feed themselves, whose carbon emissions can't really be calculated…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-mckibben/people-in-low-lying-countries-like-bangladesh-with-almost-140-million/) [Bill McKibben](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-mckibben/) > [We're putting more carbon into the atmosphere than the atmosphere can absorb. 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