For me it's not owning a television that slows me down. I'm amazed by people who, when I mention not having one (usually in response to "did you see" questions, I get serious sympathy and offers of old televisions. They just can't believe that someone would do without one by choice.
I got the same thing back when I didn't bother owning a TV in the mid-to-late 80's. People incredulous and actually offering me old TV's. I must admit two things right away, though: Not owning a TV for 3 or 4 years, I STILL managed to get almost nothing done, and NOW I watch more TV than when I was 13.
And I, too, will be one of those people watching Conan's last Tonight Show episode out of morbid curiosity.