Every night I struggle with my TV. When I dive into a pleasantly relaxing half-sleep, listening to Sarah-Jessica-Parker-as-Carrie-Bradshaw complain about men, I am cruelly shocked by the awful livelinks advert. Suddenly I’m in a hurry to find a remote to turn down the volume. – A tool from loud TV advertising
Problem: advertising is too loud
The audience has a problem. Networks intentionally make their ads louder than the main program. This irritates the audience, as well as the viewer above. Many viewers have filed a complaint with the FCC, the Federal Communications Commission. Unsurprisingly, the FCC did not address the problem despite the complaints.
Possible high-tech solution
Interestingly, the author claims that there is another solution – a new electronic device called Dolby Volume, which supposedly will adjust the volume of the TV without disrupting the quality of the sound track of the show.
It can be a solution to a problem, quite outrageous and difficult solution. However, I wonder why the author and many others do not consider simpler and more obvious solutions. Instead, they wait for the technology to solve the problem, or for their government to set up networks.
Three low-tech solutions
At least there are a few other low-tech solutions. One of them is the fast-forward button. Record all your shows on a VCR or DVR and quickly view any ad. By having about 16 minutes (32 30-second commercials) of commercials per hour, you can not only eliminate a big commercial problem, but also reduce your TV viewing time by 25% with this simple little trick. In fact, a loud noise can take you out of a hypnotic trance just enough to press the fast forward button.
There is also a “turn off the sound” button. The only condition for this solution is to keep the remote control at hand. So it may not work if you try to use the TV to fall asleep. However, this is a real decision that should be remembered in other cases. While silent advertising is being shown, you can talk or read to your family. It’s also easier to turn up the volume when the show starts again.
Another obvious solution is the “WINNER” button. Turn off the TV and you don’t have to worry about the volume anymore. Imagine the peace and quiet when you implement this solution!
But some of you probably think I’m joking. Such a radical decision! However, think about how you would react if another company unfortunately failed to meet your expectations or caused you so much grief after the purchase. You’d stop doing business with them immediately. You tell all your friends, and they’ll stop doing business with them, too. Such a company will soon have no customers, and it will go bankrupt.
Why is television so different?
Why do people turn to the government for multiple problems or wait for a miracle-technical gadget, instead of using the most obvious solutions, including giving up television?
Is television so addictive that most people can’t?
The pay-per-view debate is another example of this thinking. Many people were upset that cable companies were combining their programs, forcing customers to pay for adult shows to receive Disney programs and other family-oriented programs. To address this problem, several groups have called on the government to force cable companies to offer pay-per-view programs rather than bundled packages.
People turned to the government instead of simply refusing to do business with the guilty cable companies. If people need family-oriented programs, they can simply rent a few of the thousands of family movies available or enjoy real family entertainment, such as games or outdoor games together.
People turned to the government instead of simply refusing to do business with the guilty cable companies. If people need family-oriented programs, they can simply rent a few of the thousands of family movies available or enjoy real family entertainment, such as games or outdoor games together.
Similarly, the author mentioned above suffers from shocking disruptions. She admits that she uses the TV to relax at night. It seems to her that television is a sleeping pill that doesn’t seem to work very well. Wouldn’t it be the obvious solution to give up the TV before going to bed and try an alternative solution? Maybe a good book is better suited for rest or sleep.
Will you suffer or dissolve?
Of course, this new technical gadget can help. However, if this does not solve the problem, will she turn off the TV at least before bed? Or will it suffer until the government or the new gadget solves the problem?
How about you? Are you going to solve the countless problems associated with TV? Or are you waiting for an anonymous inventor or government to stop it, and in the meantime needless to suffer?
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