Bored of Bingeing? Watch This Instead.

If you're planning on spending the better part of your tonight binge-watching, I have a tiny suggestion for you: switch to a documentary. Or a docu-series.

Look, I'm not here to be condescending. Or to be dismissive of your daily fix of crime series. I enjoy fictional content as much as anyone else. I love the roller-coaster rides that 5 seasons of Money Heist can take you on.

But what I absolutely hate is the sleep deprivation, the groggy mornings, and the guilt that builds afterwards. The feeling that there was nothing of value that I got to keep from these shows. Except for the craving to watch the next episode. Sounds dangerously like a drug habit.

Again, I'm not your parent or entitled to give you any advice. I'm just someone who dived into the deep end of streaming platforms. And emerged to tell the tale.

I don’t entirely regret the time that I spent watching seasons of GoT or Peaky Blinders. These shows are so bloody good now, they’re better produced than most movies. More than just terrific entertainment, they are conversation starters at the water cooler. Great meme material too, if that’s your sort of jam.

However…

Here's the problem I see with all the entertainment out there. The speed and frequency at which we consume shows, they become too ephemeral to register or recall. I want to feed my brain, not make it go numb with too much content. Consuming seasons upon seasons of entertainment does that to you.

As opposed to watching a well-made documentary. Just because it’s closer to reality doesn’t make it any less interesting. As a bonus, a great documentary can spark ideas, reset your thinking, and sometimes result in stories like the one you’re reading.

"I think documentaries are the greatest way to educate an entire generation that doesn’t often look back to learn anything" - Steven Spielberg

Documentaries can be informative, thought-provoking and surprise, surprise, highly entertaining. They can challenge your assumptions or broaden your horizons. Maybe even change your mind about something. Like a good teacher, but without all the homework.

In a make-believe world, documentaries are real a.f. And reality can be stranger than fiction, as the adage goes. In my opinion, there’s nothing more entertaining than a well-made documentary. But who’s interested in learning when all we want is entertainment.

Now, let's compare that to your average binge-watch. What do you get from binge-watching a TV show? You get to turn off your brain and escape into a world of fantasy. You get to laugh, cry, and wince a little. But at the end of the day, what have you gained? A few hours of entertainment, maybe a few inside jokes with your friends, and a sense of guilt for not doing something more productive.

But when you watch a documentary, you get all of that and more. You get to learn about the world around you, see things from a different perspective, and make a difference. Documentaries can even compel you to rethink your approach to life in general.

You get to be entertained and informed at the same time. And let's face it, folks, in a world where the news is depressing, the politicians are corrupt, and the celebrities are vapid, a great documentary is a ray of hope and sanity.

Now, I know what some of you are thinking. "Nah, documentaries are boring. They're just talking heads and statistics. I want explosions, romance, car chases, gunfire and action!" Well, you can go watch a Michael Bay movie anytime. But if you want something worth your time, go watch a documentary.

"Documentaries are like investigative journalism on steroids. They go deeper, they reveal more, and they challenge us to think critically about the world around us." - Brian Stelter, CNN.

I’ve got some documentary recommendations that will make your head spin. And I’m not giving you any links. Seek and ye shall find.

Take "Exit Through the Gift Shop" a UK documentary on the world of street art and the commercialisation of the art world. Directed by Banksy, this film will have you questioning whether it's all just a bunch of pretentious nonsense. You might even learn a thing or two about how to pull off a killer art heist.

Another old favourite on my list is "Jiro Dreams of Sushi", a documentary from Japan that makes your mouth water. Follow the life and work of Jiro Ono, an 85-year-old sushi master who runs a Michelin-starred restaurant in Tokyo. This film will have you salivating over the artistry and craft of sushi-making. It's probably the closest you'll ever get to tasting the world’s best sushi.

If you're in the mood for something a little more soulful, check out "Searching for Sugar Man". It documents the search for a mysterious musician Rodriguez, who turned into a cult figure in South Africa during the apartheid era. It's a heart-warming and inspiring story that will have you believing in the power of music to bring people together. Great soundtrack too.

There are far too many great recommendations and not enough space. Watch anything by Michael Moore. His "Bowling for Columbine" is a particularly searing indictment of gun violence in America. Even though it was made 20 years back, this satirical take on American gun culture and politics will leave you both laughing and shaking your head in disbelief.

Still not convinced that documentaries are the way to go? Let me give you one more reason. Watching a documentary is like going on a journey. It's like taking a trip to a foreign land without ever leaving your couch. We could all use a little escape from the monotony of our daily routine. If you're not ready to pack your bags and hop on a plane, why not take a trip to the world of documentary films?

If you're planning on spending the night on the couch, let it be with a good documentary. You won't regret it, I promise. You might just learn something new. Or at the very least, give you something to talk about over the water cooler.

#bingewatching #streaming #netflix #documentary