Monday, July 04, 2016
Hold The Phone: Should Apple Be Able To Block iPhones From Recording At Concerts?
ThinkProgress: Apple has patented a technology that can block the iPhone’s camera feature. As the Telegraph reports, “The company’s invention would allow venues to use an infrared beam to disable photography on mobile phones, preventing people from taking videos and photos.”
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
4 comments:
The problem of phones and other recording technology at shows is one that has been getting more and more attention as time goes on. I have a very mixed opinion on the matter. On one hand, I believe that using that technology is distracting, not just the people on stage but also the other audiences members, as well is it is just plain rude. I recently went to a concert, and there were so many phones in the air that it was difficult to see the artist. On the other hand, we live in a world where people want to remember things and share their experiences with everyone. I agree with the statement that phones help us get more engaged with the performance. In theater, having phones is something that seasoned guest just don’t do, but with phones and other recording devices becoming so much more available, it will be harder and harder to enforce the not cell phone rules. I think that there is a time and a place for recording, and the theater is not one of them.
This is a very important subject to touch on and has been talked about for a while now. Personally, I think that iPhones should definitely block people from recording concerts/shows. I feel that if you watch the concert for what it is, with no distractions you will have a much better and realistic experience. And I'm sure the artists feel the same way, as we can see people like Adele want you to watch the concert for what it is. However, I am very hypocritical by arguing this. Almost every concert I got to, I have some type of recording on it. I always like to look back on it months later and relive some of the memories. But, I wouldn't be upset if they disabled my phone to not record. I do understand why people want to record, since it allows you to have the concert forever, but again, the concert gives such a different meaning if no electronics are involve. And even if they don't apply this to concert, they absolutely need to apply this to theatrical setting. It completely disrupts and takes away from the show. I think this is going to be a long and extensive task, but is very necessary for the many art forms and performances.
I absolutely think apple should move forward with blocking phones from recording live shows. It would force the audience to be absolutely present with the show being put on for them. I feel that the removal of that electronic presence would also remove the negative “bragging” aspect of attending a concert and, instead, drag focus back to the actual music or the performance. I understand that people love to be able to look back at photos and recordings, but I feel that recordings and photos in a way take from the memory of being in that incredible performance headspace. This should especially be implemented in the theater. It is so distracting and blatantly rude, when someone pulls out a phone. That glowing screen takes away some of the integrity of the audience, and damages the show for as long as it remains. We go to the theater to appreciate the work that all of the performers and technicians put into the show, and that should be the only thing that matters when we are there, not pictures or videos to sell or show friends. It should purely be about experiencing the performance in its full glory.
No matter the circumstance of place if a person paid for a phone with full functionality they should be able to use it unless it harms the people around them. People taking creepy pictures of others on the subway deserve their camera removed, people filming others incapacitated should have phone privileges denied - not concert goers. Even in the cases that constitute as harm how would that be monitored? They paid for their phone, they get to use it. I agree with the author in this case. Phones typically disturb no one in a concert other than the performer, and that's solely for the reason that they think its a show being stolen to others who didn't pay. Iphone videos aren't that long, nor are they good quality, especially with all the jostling that happens in a rowdy concert space. As the author said, videos are only helping people who had no intention of buying the ticket anyway. Yes sometimes there is a phone in your face blocking your view for a few seconds, but they're never there the whole concert. In many situations we see someone recording and help them get a good angle. Taking videos and pictures is about documenting the memories of the experience. Furthermore, what happens to fans who want a quick pic of the stage or the performers at the end of the show? Blurry watermarked images or disabled cameras? I think the concert goers would be the ones who are really ripped off in that scenario.
Post a Comment