The energy to change

Perhaps it should not surprise anyone that people have not yet "awakened" to the implications of the government-ordered nightly TV shutdown designed to help cut energy use. After all, people do need their sleep, and most are quite supportive of a government that is also trying to cut corruption, fuel subsidies, illegal logging, smuggling, gambling, pirating and the rise of extremist fundamentalism.

But is energy really being saved after 1 a.m.? How many citizens simply switch on their radio, computer or DVD, or drive to and maybe linger longer at their favorite restaurant or nightspot?

Perhaps they don't bother to turn their televisions off, patiently tolerating the "apologize for the inconvenience" notice, hoping beyond hope that some engineer somewhere will mistakenly, and miraculously, switch back on their wonderful blue screen. Some may leave their TVs turned on as a sort of alarm clock, a 5 a.m. wake up jolt to their blessed programs after four hours of soundless transmission.

And what about the maternity wards nine months hence? Housewives, frustrated by their husband's late-night viewing, might now find a great deal more affection (except on soccer nights, of course), and lights will burn late as hospitals and baby product manufacturers gear up to a bonanza of newborns. Never mind the increased energy needs of this additional population, they'll at least grow up without the violence and sexual offensiveness of late-night TV!

HOWARD SILVERFARB, Jakarta