Ever since televisions obtained the status of a customary living room fixture in practically every Indian household, elders who mean well have taken it upon themselves to educate younglings on the decaying impact of the "idiot box" on our brains. Our choices in shows and movies have been incriminated time and again for all our shortcomings, spanning every parental grievance from getting late for school to argumentative tendencies.
In all the years leading up to this very moment, the definition of television has undergone a number of revisions. Our medium of entertainment might have shifted from cable TV to online streaming sites, but our parents' contention about TV shows continues to remain unmoved. Don't you worry, we aren't here to recommend alternatives to watching TV, in support of your folks. In fact, we firmly believe that everybody has the right to choose a learning medium, and if reading a book just doesn't do it for you, you can continue binging shows instead, to sharpen your intellect.
The Internet is speckled with a host of online shows that will make you smarter, and watching these intelligent shows online will go a long way in adding to your repository of information, without the process feeling like a total drag. There are a bunch of smart shows on Netflix, Amazon Prime and other streaming sites, and believe me, learning and knowing stuff will become a lot more fun with these smart TV shows to watch. So, getting right down to it here's a list of 10 online shows that will make you smarter and sharper.
If you're the kind of person who fosters a fondness for knowing random facts and learning cool info, Mythbusters is a legendary TV show known for offering just that. The long-running Australian-American scientific investigation TV show has been lauded for providing answers to questions most people are curious about, and clarifying enduring urban legends related to everything under the sun, from escaping a sinking car to pin-pointing out the way fear smells.
YouTube
8.3/10
Image Courtesy: Fanart TV
One of the best documentaries to stream online if you're curious about the workings of food, Food, Inc dives headfirst into the origins of the food we now consume as staple items. This intelligent show closely examines the food chain prevalent during modern times along with how our consumption habits have changed, right from where we source food to the way we present it. Prepare to feel uncomfortable with some of your current eating habits, after this show takes you along a vivid journey through the cycle of food production today.
YouTube
7.8/10
Image Courtesy: Truth Inside Of You
As someone who's always been interested in the subject of history but felt discouraged by the process of sifting through hundreds of pages of words in a tiny font, this online show was the saviour I didn't know I needed. Dubbed as an informative historical documentary that's surprisingly accurate with facts and figures, don't mistake Tudors as another drab educational show online. Tudors follows the life and wives of Henry VIII by adding the flair of drama and suspense and makes British history addictive with its stunning story-telling.
Netflix
8.1/10
Image Courtesy: IMDb
Meant for those who prefer a dollop of adventure with their online educational content, this thrilling documentary is a genius product of the direction skills of German filmmaker Werner Herzog and volcanologist Clive Oppenheimer's extensive mental library of knowledge on the subject. Into The Inferno takes you through some of the most active volcanoes in Indonesia, Ethiopia and North Korea, with stunning scenes and cinematography and gripping commentary on man's relationship with one of the most violent wonders of nature.
Netflix
7.2/10
Image Courtesy: Flixwatch
In a world of entertainment packed with countless true crime and legal drama shows, Law & Order occupied the creme-de-la-creme position for itself after it first aired in 1990, and that status is yet to be challenged. This long-running US legal drama show has been touted for its proximity to reality and accurate portrayal of the nuances of law-keeping without convoluting the gritty details with unnecessary drama. Law & Order doesn't shy away from depicting the closest possible scenario to real life, regardless of whether the bad guy getting away doesn't make for your ideal episode ending. This is why, this show is great for absorbing legitimate information about the legal system, instead of the sugar-coated version most shows present you with.
NBC, YouTube
7.7/10
Image Courtesy: Insider
Ever wondered about the science of body language and micro-expressions? What emotions underlie a specific gesture of the hand or what a person might be thinking when they roll their eyes to the left? If yes, Cal Lightman in Lie To Me has all the answers you're looking for. Inspired by the real-life lie detector Paul Ekman and his revolutionary work on the signs of deception, Lie To Me gives you some valuable insight into reading the physical body language of people as a way of understanding their intents and concealed feelings. Also, the show comes with Tim Roth and his iconic acting chops.
YouTube or Free Streaming Sites Such As DailyMotion
8.0/10
Image Courtesy: Deviant Art
Touted as one of the best and most popular game shows in the history of television, Jeopardy is an iconic quiz programme that compels you to think. This oldie but genuine goldie has served as both a reliable source to discover new information and exciting facts, as well as a highly entertaining game show on TV. A couple of episodes of Jeopardy later, you will feel your knowledge base expanding with lesser-known and super-interesting facts that make for great conversation starters.
Netflix
8.2/10
Image Courtesy: TV Taping
If for as long as you can remember, you've found yourself in the middle of a post-Breaking-Bad-slump, looking for shows that can match its epicness, Fargo is the show you've been inadvertently searching for. This anthology television series has received several accolades for its gripping story, stunning photography, surreal scenes of beautiful landscapes, and a flawless amalgamation of comedy, mystery and drama. The show revolves around the story of an ordinary car salesman in Minneapolis who joins hands with two thug-like characters to kidnap his own wife, in a desperate attempt to limp out of his debts.
Netflix
8.9/10
Image Courtesy: Image Abyss
Women have been operating BTS of some of the biggest events in the history of the world and playing key roles in crucial developments of humanity. If you're interested in figuring out the exact things women did during the historical event of World War II. Bomb Girls traces the profiles of four women workers in at a Canadian munitions factory during the Second World War. Every episode is packed with interesting details, cool facts and information, and high-octane drama, all of which work wonderfully together to keep you glued to your seats.
Amazon Prime Video
7.8/10
Image Courtesy: Prime Video
This show does exactly what its name suggests it will. It explains all the complex stuff you've always been inquisitive about. It's a Netflix documentary that has been increasingly gaining popularity owing to the informational and educational content it regularly presents its viewers in every episode. This show is great for knowing important information related to a plethora of topics.
Netflix
8/10
Image Courtesy: Netflix News
Who said binge-watching has to be mindless? These shows will supply the fodder you need to feed your brain cells. At the same time, don't forget to entertain yourself with entertainment content in the likes of Too Hot To Handle, every now and then.
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