Netflix — the bookstore of the 21st Century (7)

Remember the good old days when you could roam through a bookstore for hours? You can roam through Netflix, right from your own home, for hours too.

As the pandemic continues into the second half of 2020, stock for Netflix has risen. That’s because Netflix, as a robust streaming platform, can present a cornucopia of viewing options. There is a treasure trove of choices and for many, particularly seniors, the possibilities are a lifesaver.

This is not advertising for Netflix. I am just acknowledging the importance of a wide variety of television choices. With limited new programming to watch on network television, it is the streaming platforms that are getting attention. The system works like a bookstore. If you can recall spending time at Barnes and Noble, you might remember wandering down one aisle of fiction and up another aisle of biography. You can walk past a children’s section on your left side and visit a current bestsellers aisle on your right. The sections are well laid-out and easily perused.

Netflix (and yes, other streaming options) provide similar capabilities. You can search for documentaries — Cheer and Tiger King took the nation by storm when they first debuted. You can look for old favorites such as The West Wing and Gilmore Girls (enjoy, ST!). You can binge watch original shows including The Kominskey Method, The Politician and Ozark, or get up to date with programming still in play such as Outlander.

The search options go even further. If you want to binge on Tom Hanks movies, just plug in his name. Are you a person who knows the director of movies? If so, you can look for films by Martin Scorcese or Frank Capra or Milos Forman.

Is it a comedy routine that floats your boat? Stand-up routines from across all avenues are available, including Jerry Seinfeld, Marc Maron, Sebastian Maniscalo and Hannah Gadsby.

The beauty of the plan is that there is something for everyone. War movies, foreign languages shows, rom-coms. In fact, with Netflix you can even target a category that is ultra-specific such as “understated horror movies” or my personal favorite, “wine and beer appreciation.”

The search mechanism is easy, the options are plentiful and the programming is at your fingertips. If you get a chance, just take a few minutes and search. It’s amazing what you can find.

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