Here's the story of my latest flirtation with Behavoir #3 on the list of Top Ten Easy Paths to Self-Destruction. [1]

I recently signed up for a special deal offered by my local cable TV provider. As a result I went from having about 80 TV channels (which was quite sufficient) to something like 750 TV channels. No joke. Plus, there's an "on demand" option to watch movies, TV shows, and videos whenever I want.

Since I tend to skip over the fine print, the extra channels are a perk I didn't realize I was about to get. In fact, I had no idea until the cable guy was handed me a new, shiny TV remote that has, let's face it, magical powers.

A single click conjures up A-list movies and Oscar-winning drama (I lost a couple hours when I stumbled onto The Departed [2].). At my disposal are any number of charming, quasi-indie movies that I find difficult to resist. (Yesterday, I forced myself to "just say no" to a double feature of Shopgirl [3] and Lost in Translation [4].)

Then there are all the past episodes of some favorite TV shows and probably many, many other delights. I have yet to fully explore the realm of possibilities since I got overwhelmed somewhere around channel 439.

I'm not proud to admit this, but I spent much of a gorgeous autumn week succumbing to temptation. Over and over again. And let me tell you, I now feel pretty awful. In fact, I'm this close to handing that magical new remote back to the cable company.

I'm not surprised to learn that watching TV ranks as #3 on the list compiled by Live Science. [5] As we all know, couch potatoes tend to eat mindlessly [5], miss out on family time [5], expand around the middle, and forget how the sky looks. This is probably why it ranks high on the list. The other ways to self-destruct, in case you're wondering, include a lack of sleep, avoiding medical advice and brain teasers, and excessive driving, drinking, unsafe sex, stress, smoking, and junk food.

What surprised me was one terrifying factoid that sobered me right up: The average American spends 9 years (!!) of their life in front of the tube. Not only is that pathetic, but it's enough to scare some sense back into me.

Even with 700+ channels.