We are bombarded daily by ads, tv, and people about what we “lack.” This is what the corporations are marketing to our society.

I agree totally! I try to enjoy a marketing-free life as much as I can.

For anyone that still watches TV (there is some good content, really!), check out the mythtv project.

http://www.mythtv.org/

As its open source, its the only DVR that will remove commercials. There are some companies that sell pre-packaged versions if you are not into rolling your own.