"I think television's become a downright dangerous thing. It has no moral barometer whatsoever. If you want to talk about something that is all about money, just watch the television"

In this quote by Tom Petty, he expresses a vital point of view on the medium of television and its impact on society. By recommending that tv has "become a downright unsafe thing", Petty is alerting of prospective negative effects that television content can have on viewers. His choice of words, especially "harmful", suggests significant issue about the effects of television programming.

Petty broadens on his criticism by asserting that television "has no ethical barometer whatsoever". Here, he implicates the medium of lacking ethical factors to consider, suggesting that the material relayed typically stops working to guide audiences towards favorable or ethical habits. This lack of a "ethical barometer" can suggest that television programs might either represent or endorse unfavorable worths or just stop working to challenge immoral mindsets, therefore neglecting any obligation to positively influence society.

Additionally, Petty connects his review to the commercial nature of television by stating, "If you wish to speak about something that is all about cash, just watch the tv". This part of the quote highlights his belief that the underlying inspirations driving television production are financially instead of ethically oriented. Petty appears to be highlighting the idea that, rather than prioritizing the quality or educational value of their content, television networks may focus predominantly on material that creates the best earnings, which frequently results from attracting the lowest common denominator.

Petty's remarks reflect a broader criticism typically directed at media in general: that financial rewards overshadow artistic or ethical considerations. This shows concerns that industrial interests may result in sensationalism, the glorification of negative behavior, or the dissemination of shallow content, weakening the capacity of tv to cultivate understanding and compassion. Ultimately, Petty calls for reflection on the social ramifications of a medium that has comprehensive reach and impact, advising customers to separate in between material of compound which is created mostly for profit.