TribLIVE: Sheena Ekas loves going to concerts, but she has started to find the other fans in attendance irritating.
It seems like lately every time the Saxonburg resident goes to a show, everyone around her spends more time on their phones than watching the performance.
“There are times you can't even see the stage because, so many arms and phones are in the way,” says the 27-year-old Ekas. “When I go to a concert, I want to watch the actual show, not a video through a tiny screen.”
But times they could be a-changin', though.
14 comments:
I'd love to say that this idea would work, but I have my doubts. I am very troubled by how attached people are to their phones, but telling people not to use them is not exactly helpful. Even in theatres when there is a specific announcement that says "please turn off all cellphones", people still keep them on and use them during performances. Now, the idea of areas with and without cellphones is interesting, but sometimes in concerts I pull my phone out for a second to see the time. Would that mean that every time I wanted to check the time I would have to lose my spot and go to the other section? In practicality, I don't believe anyone would follow this rule.
I'm all for this. Our society has become OBSESSED with documenting our every move. We think it's necessary that the world knows what we are doing at any given moment. We miss out on a lot because of it. At concerts, sure it's cool to have pictures and videos to look back on, but if you're not even watching the concert what's the point of paying to go? Just watch videos on youtube. They'll pop up in a few days, I promise. This idea of physically locking people's phones does seem a little extreme now that I think about it, but maybe that's what it will take. Maybe we are so addicted to our phones that the only way to get us out into the real world is to lock them. The amount of time I spend on my phone is absurd. Without it, I feel insecure. Almost naked. It's basically a shield from the outside world. Don't want to talk to someone? Pop your headphones in, send an e-mail, or just keep refreshing instagram until someone posts something. I know that's what I do. This is awful. There is so much going on all around us. Concerts are a great example, but this idea applies to every day life too. Let's try to put our phones down for two seconds people! It's getting a little out of hand.
I definitely fall into the category of people who get annoyed by phones at concert, but this seems a little extreme. I like the idea of separating people who want to use their phones, but disallowing everyone seems kind of extreme. There are many situations where you might even NEED to use your phone. And if you are waiting for an important call you can not exactly do that while your phone is locked up. And I am also curious about the tech itself. It says it is a case that fits on your phone? Does that mean they have different cases for different phones or they just think everyone has an iphone?
It makes me really disappointed that people can't go to a show without having their phones out. When I see people at concerts recording the performance on their phone, I always wonder about what they're even going to do with it. Are you really going to watch a mediocre cell phone video of a concert where all you can hear is the crowd anyway? More importantly, people should be able to experience things in the present, without worrying about posting pictures of it to Instagram. I think that it is sad that we would need something like the Yondr no-phone zone to keep people's phone put away during a show, but there really is no longer any place where people do so on their own. When I saw MilkMilkLemonade on Friday, I heard at least two or three people's phones go off.I think it's unfortunate that people cannot detach from their phones, even enough to be respectful of the performers.
Generally, I am of the opinion that if someone wants to be on their phone rather than experiencing what is going on right in front of them, that's their business. It's only an issue to me if they are blocking other people's views, but to some degree as soon as you get further from the stage, your view is not going to be perfect; people are going to have their arms up anyways. The title of the article was a little misleading though, Yondr isn't actually trying to ban cell phones entirely, only attempting to create cell-free sections. It's definitely good that they are using the cases to enforce the ban, because otherwise very few people would actually fully comply. It's a pretty good compromise, since it also gives people who want to capture the show in photos or videos the chance to do so without detracting from the experience of people who are distracted by phones.
As a shorter person who enjoys going to concerts, I can see why people are upset about cell phone usage at concerts. I have definitely had to watch bits of a concert off the phone of the 7' tall person in front of me. However, I still think making devices meant to block people from using their phones at concerts is extreme. We have created a culture where sharing concert photos and concert selfies is acceptable so it's not really anyone's place to say you cannot have it out at these events. I can see the use case for cell phone free sections but I can't help but think that these sections will create tension within the audience. In my experience, there is a free-for-all kind of environment at concerts, people still smoke even though they aren't supposed to, people bring in alcohol even though they aren't supposed to, people still start mosh pits and fights even if they aren't supposed to, and people will still use their cell phones when they aren't supposed to. The only way I can see cell phone free sections working at concerts is if it is lumped into the VIP section on an honor system. I can't see many people being willing to put their phone in a locking device for these kinds of events.
I don't understand why people feel the need to document every single moment of their lives in general and this is especially true at concerts or other entertainment events. Are you really that worried about forgetting the experience that you need to record the entire thing? It just doesn't make any sense especially since watching what is happening through the display of your phone completely takes you out of the experience anyway. Sure you can show friends and family pictures or videos from the show but do they honestly care about your shaky, poor quality video from the concert when they could probably find a much better one on youtube anyway? I am all for limiting cell use at concerts. I don't think trying to ban them will work but I do like the idea of the cell-free sections the Yondr is trying to implement.
I can sort of understand wanting to document "significant" times in peoples lives, but every single moment seems like overkill. Why would you need to document something that you laid to see live? Someone else is definitely recording or broadcasting it. Someone who's job it is. I love the idea of cell phone free zones/sections. And what yondr is proposing is a great way to enforce the rule while still allowing others to do whatever they want. I'd actually love to try this out in theatres and the movies as well. Its scary how much people rely on their phones and I rely on mine for a lot. But having phone issues and dead phones a lot this semester, it has definitely given me the opportunity to step back enjoy the moment. People need to do that more.
I'm glad someone is finally making a push for people to drop their phones during concerts. It's been too long that cell phones have been allowed to control our lives at all times. I find the greatest point of the article is that people are no longer even experiencing the shows. They're simply going there to document that they are there. It's really interesting how this generation is so fascinated in showing off their entertainment rather than just entertaining themselves.
I think this is a great idea. We are all so attached to our phones and dedicated to documenting everything that ever happens to us that we forget to actually experience anything. Concerts and other live shows are interactive events, where the energy in the room is not only created by the artist, but by the audience as well. Nothing is more irritating than being in an audience of people more interested in taking a video or texting their friends than the actual performance. I can imagine how hard it must be for the actual artist.
Part of me thinks that this is a great idea. I've been to too many shows where this has been a constant problem, one of people pulling out their cell phones and recording, or taking pictures, or texting or whatever. To some extent, I understand the desire to take a picture or two of the event or of friends with you at the event, but when I am at home and I open up a Snapchat story of someone at a concert and it's about 5 minutes worth of video of them at the concert, it makes me wonder if they are truly watching and enjoying the spectacle themselves? You miss so much when looking at some things through a lens of a phone. Maybe it wouldn't be such a bad idea to make cell phones a non-issue at concerts and other live shows.
Depends on what type of music it is. If you attend an orchestra or things like that then sure phones are definitely prohibited. Others genre we never actually care, or even sometimes it might be even benefit to have technologies so you can share their performances to the world. I would not say I like or dislike the idea, it really depends on the situation. I however agreed that people nowadays are so obsessed with technologies and phones that they stopped paying attention to anything else , but it really depends on the musicians will take it as annoyance and disrespect or taking it as benefit. Honestly, from my personal experience, people will listen and enjoy your music anyways if you are really good. They will have their phones on their hands recording your performance , at the same time dancing and singing along with you,,it's still consider as respecting your performance. Again, classical music is exceptional.
Being able to actually enforce this policy would be pretty outrageous. There is no way you could prevent people from using their phones during a Beyonce concert. My contention is with he fact that no one ever made this type of complaint about cameras. They virtually accomplished the same thing in terms of documenting an event, there was just the missing aspect of social media and communication. Is it the light up screen? The Facebook glares that are causing this annoyance? Something else to think about is how much FREE publicity and networking artists are receiving from people having their phones at their concerts. Now fans can obsess with other fans ands much promotion and media about artists are 100% accessible because of the fact that cellphones exist and are used at a concert. So sure it's an interesting idea and all, but would artists even support it?
There is some good, and some bad to this, both of which were addressed in the article, and that has to do with keeping phones/ technology from concert venues which might be a hindrance or a distraction to other members who want to be a part of the experience. Fortunately I haven’t been to a concert where an issue like this is prevalent. But I can see why it is an issue, who wants to have other people’s arms in the way as you’re trying to enjoy a concert. I was hanging out with some friends the other night, and I was the most attentive of the group, avoiding the use of looking at my cellphone. Technology is a distraction, and it’s understandable to want to cherish memories, but at what cost. Preventing others behind you to not be able to enjoy the concert because you’ve got your hands in the air? Just imagine ten or fifteen years ago, when that’s all you did was enjoy what was in front of you, and not what was in your hands.
Post a Comment