Cellular wars: Civility strikes back
We're jammin'
-- Bob Marley
At long last, the technology now exists to jam cell phones in certain environments such as movie theaters and restaurants.
In fact, it already is used in Europe as an effective counter attack against mannerless wireless users.
Yet, some people apparently are upset that anyone would dare trample their rights to receive important emergency calls.
Tough.
No one would even be considering such measures if cell phone addicts would follow such simple etiquette as switching on the vibrate function.
Small wonder the new bestseller from horror meister Stephen King involves killer cell phones.
As movie attendance dwindles, reports The Washington Post, theatre owners in the United States are considering some sort of jamming technology to address one of moviegoers' major pet peeves: moviegoers with phones.
Only one minor complication: It's against the law.
Comments (12)
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Allen, I know this is off thread, but have you seen the diversity dog around? He's run away. If you see him, please let me know.
Thanks,
Posted on March 17, 2006 8:49 AM
Oh, he'll be back, I suspect. He knows his way home.
Posted on March 17, 2006 8:53 AM
Allen, you are only talking about the High Point mutt. The pure-bread G-Boro breeds don't seem to have the same type homing instinct. Seems to be limited to the mongrels.
Posted on March 17, 2006 9:22 AM
Hmph. Seems to me that all you need to do is build the actual screening rooms with some serious metal framing, to keep signals from penetrating. That would keep people from getting calls while they're in the shows, and allow them to "keep connected" while they're in the lobby.
I once sat through a screening of a film where some lady got TWO incoming calls. I ony wished that the management would have tossed her and her oh-so-precious companion "Mr. Phone" out on her behind. I would have stood to applaud, and I bet I wouldn't have been alone.
Posted on March 17, 2006 10:07 AM
Eric, metal cocooning is one of the options they're looking at. But some people -- parents in particular -- say they don't like the idea of being out of touch with their kids in case of an emergency.
Posted on March 17, 2006 10:37 AM
Darn, this country is soft!
When I was a kid (WAAAY back in the day!), I went to see "101 Dalmations" at the Carolina theater by myself, and all we had were PAY PHONES!
Seriously, how much extra danger can there be if a kid has to step outside the theater, and into the lobby to be in cell phone contact? Any parent who can't live with that concept should just hold their darlings' hands and take them to see the movies personally, the way I did with my kid.
Or buy them "My Little Pony" movies. Makes no difference to me.
Posted on March 17, 2006 10:53 AM
Allen,
I sent Doug Clark a link to a story about a company that has developed paint that can switch between blocking cell phone signals and allowing them to go through. Has to do with nanotechnology and nanotubes. I think it's a great idea. I don't mind paying high prices for movies or dinner as long as I can enjoy them. What about my right not to have to listen to the phone "ring" or some idiot telling his caller "guess where I am?"
As to "having to be on call (doctors, etc.)," why not revert to how we did it before pagers and cell phones. Just leave your name with the manager and leave the theatre number with your service. That seemed to work for years.
And for the little darlings, let's just say I agree with Eric and leave it at that.
MD
Posted on March 17, 2006 11:39 AM
Amen to common courtesy and common sense
Posted on March 17, 2006 11:42 AM
Amen, Allen. So this represents a sea change in your thinking? You've had a "Eureka" moment?
Posted on March 17, 2006 3:02 PM
Nope, I've never been a fan of cell phones. Or are you referring to something else?
Posted on March 17, 2006 3:20 PM
Allen, me? Nah...I just thought you were making a general statement which I thought amusing. Don't mind me.
Posted on March 17, 2006 3:54 PM
C.Boy,
Grraawwwwllllllll, woof! woof! Ain't no common sense in High Point.
Stop lookin' for it, man.
Woof! Woof!!
Posted on March 18, 2006 1:12 PM