Concert Cell Phone Ban

[PollyannaMom]

I'm always amazed when people pull out the tired old "but we lived without it before" argument.

Oh, I get your point! People lived without flush toilets too, and I see no heroism in going back to that!!

Why are things that make our lives easier or less stressful automatically bad to some people?

But I do think the instant "reachability" of cell phones is both a blessing and a curse in terms of stress. It's given me great peace of mind in letting DS do things on his own (definitely less stress there) but it means my DH is never completely disconnected and "free" from his job (definitely more stress there).

 

[CarolAnn856]

Oh I agree, we have come a long way and it's not all bad. I just get a kick out of reminiscing how we did things as kids vs. how kids do things now. Years from now, I wonder what our kids will say. "When I was a kid, we only had CELL PHONES, can you believe it????"

Definitely, lol! I'm a school librarian, and today some kids came in because their teacher wanted me to pull books on constellations and related myths. After I had about 40 or so books, I quickly scanned them to check them out to their teacher. As I was scanning, I explained to the kids how books were checked out when I was a kid, before there were scanners. They were shocked to learn how much longer that process would have taken!

 

[PollyannaMom]

...I explained to the kids how books were checked out when I was a kid, before there were scanners. They were shocked to learn how much longer that process would have taken!

I do love the convenience of how we do it now. - I reserve on line, the book appears in a designated spot, I scan it and my key tag, and I'm off.

But there was something to be said about that little card in the back with all the people who had checked out the book before me - a connection factor, I guess you'd call it (or, alternately, the thrill of being the first name on the card!)

 

[Skellingtonj]

My husband went to a show where this was enforced. And security was on top of people to get them to stop. If there was an emergency, he could have made or taken a call. I’m mixed on this policy. I like to watch a show but if I’m suuuuuuper close, I want a pic.

 

[kaytieeldr]

Everyone there was taller than her

I don't believe that's true.

 

[luvsJack]

I don't believe that's true.

Believe whatever you want. Lol.

Most of the crowd were older women and gay men. And a sprinkling of teens. It was at a casino.

Was there someone somewhere in the entire standing crowd shorter than her? Maybe But if they were behind her, her phone was not blocking their view. The 6ft guy holding his wife’s purse standing behind me was.

 

[wenrob]

Yep. My mom got in the car and looked for me when my now dh and I missed curfew by 20 minutes. Oh boy! A simple text -running late - would have solved so much.

I swear my stepmom was part hunting dog, lol. If she had to come find you...yeah, not pretty.

 

[kaytieeldr]

But. I have young kids and parents who are in frail health. Twenty some years ago that’s not something I had to worry about. Now it is.

Other people had these issues 20 years ago, though. Possibly even your parents. Everybody managed.

The thing with the artists being upset with it is, why now?

Now the technology exists. Alicia Keys, Jack White, Dave Chappelle...each has been performing for over 15 years.

The truth is artists thrive on publicity

Publicity, sure (along with income, and can adoration.) Clearly at least some don't consider distribution of unauthorized performance tapes, not so much.

 

[design_mom]

Other people had these issues 20 years ago, though. Possibly even your parents. Everybody managed.

But 20 years ago, there were pay phones available.

20 years ago, people would know that if you were at a restaurant, concert, etc. that they'd need to call the venue to get ahold of you... not just keep trying your cell phone to no avail.

20 years ago, someone from the venue probably would come and find you in your seat if there was an emergency. Now, I think they're more likely to say "sorry, can't help you." or "sorry, no, you can't use our phone."

The culture has changed.

Personally, I have no problem with refraining from taking photos/videos of a concert if requested. (I have taken pictures before, but have never taken video) I wouldn't like it, but would not complain if they had some way of disabling the camera during the performance. I would have a problem if they disabled my phone/messaging, took my phone away, or locked it in a pouch to which they kept the key.

 

[Planogirl]

You guys would hate my workplace. No phones allowed and them being on or off doesn't matter. They give people lockers to put their things and you can get your phone for use in designated areas during breaks. The company is open on weekends and evenings so if an emergency happens you can only be reached through security. That can take a while.

 

[Southernmiss]

Culture has changed is key. And that's not something new to this modern era. Horse and buggies gave way to cars. As mentioned already outhouses have become bathrooms, candles have been replaced by electricity, open fires have become stoves and ovens, etc. I wouldn't want to go back to the 'Good ole days. Who were they good for?


I could not imagine anyone being available at a venue to answer a phone, especially in the evening when most concerts take place. Phones are usually answered by office people on regular business hours.

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

Publicity, sure (along with income, and can adoration.) Clearly at least some don't consider distribution of unauthorized performance tapes, not so much.

Which is totally fine and not something that I've said isn't the case. There's not one reason given. Some don't want attention turned away from them, some don't want access to a video (though even the artists know that there are times when it can boost their sales as a possibility it's not always a detriment 100% of the time), some want your attention but then at the end of the show they are fine with it, etc And not all artists see an issue with it some going so far as to request that you get your cell phone out.

 

[kaytieeldr]

Was there someone somewhere in the entire standing crowd shorter than her?

What you claimed originally:

She is 5 ft. tall so her head is a bit under everyone else's.

Everyone there was taller than her

But 20 years ago, there were pay phones available.

Nobody could call you on most payphones. They'd still have needed to call the venue.

20 years ago, people would know that if you were at a restaurant, concert, etc. that they'd need to call the venue to get ahold of you... not just keep trying your cell phone to no avail.

Then it's reasonable, when someone can't be reached on a cell phone [Because it's blocked or locked by the venue] after several tries, to call the venue.

 

[sam_gordon]

Then it's reasonable, when someone can't be reached on a cell phone [Because it's blocked or locked by the venue] after several tries, to call the venue.

Is it reasonable that the venue will try to find you though? As PP said, will they answer the phone? Or you will get a phone tree? Is there an option to talk to a human?

I've asked this of others, but they haven't answered, maybe you will. You are at a concert, your teenage driver gets into an accident. (pick the severity... fender bender, car totaled, minor injury, or major injury). You are ok with not finding out about this for 2-3 hours, or would you prefer finding out immediately? While I agree a fender bender doesn't rise to the level of "emergency" that would have me leave the event, a totaled car, or an injury sending my child to the hospital would have me leaving.

And you're right. 20 years ago you wouldn't even have that option. But we do now. So why not take advantage of it?

 

[asta]

I am amazed at the people claiming that they are not raising their phones high enough to block the view of others. At the concerts I have gone to, at the fireworks at Disney and at other shows everyone I see is raising their phone up to record above the heads of those in front of them. This does block the view of those behind and usually makes them have a light shining back at them. Of course this is distracting. I appreciate that someone involved in a concert cares enough about the whole audience to try and make people do something that they should know not to do anyway. In addition to playing music a lot of concerts spend a lot of money to set the stage a feel of the show with lighting. It is hard to enjoy that part of the show with a glowing phone screen in your line of view.

 

[Hikergirl]

You guys would hate my workplace. No phones allowed and them being on or off doesn't matter. They give people lockers to put their things and you can get your phone for use in designated areas during breaks. The company is open on weekends and evenings so if an emergency happens you can only be reached through security. That can take a while.

That isn't the same thing.
There was a time my dh's work didn't allow phones with cameras but of course that has changed. They realized that technology advances and you need to adapt. They don't ban phones, they just enforce their rules of no pictures. When he couldn't have his cell, I just called his office and if I couldn't reach him in an emergency I'd have to contact security too. Not a big deal, and even if security had to find him they weren't searching over 10,000+ seats to find him.
I don't see what happens at your job the same as a performer having customer's phones disabled during their concerts at all.

 

[Hikergirl]

I am amazed at the people claiming that they are not raising their phones high enough to block the view of others. At the concerts I have gone to, at the fireworks at Disney and at other shows everyone I see is raising their phone up to record above the heads of those in front of them. This does block the view of those behind and usually makes them have a light shining back at them. Of course this is distracting. I appreciate that someone involved in a concert cares enough about the whole audience to try and make people do something that they should know not to do anyway. In addition to playing music a lot of concerts spend a lot of money to set the stage a feel of the show with lighting. It is hard to enjoy that part of the show with a glowing phone screen in your line of view.

LOL, if you want to believe that is why hey do it go ahead.
If those performers cared so much they can add extra security to enforce the rule of no recording, NOT disable their fans phones.

 

[SaintsManiac]

Disabling phones is pretty stupid, IMO, but I honestly think if you can't go 2 hours without checking yours maybe you should not go in the first place.

 

[kaytieeldr]

You are ok with not finding out about this for 2-3 hours, or would you prefer finding out immediately?

I'd prefer to be informed asap. But I realize that's not always possible. It's like flying. Phones have to be in airplane mode. You wouldn't find out about an emergency until you land, possibly several hours later. Even if phones could be used as phones, there still isn't anything you could do about the emergency until you land.

 

[sam_gordon]

I'd prefer to be informed asap. But I realize that's not always possible. It's like flying. Phones have to be in airplane mode. You wouldn't find out about an emergency until you land, possibly several hours later. Even if phones could be used as phones, there still isn't anything you could do about the emergency until you land.

But there IS something I can do if I'm in driving distance. I can leave the venue and go where I'm needed. I feel there's a difference when you're talking about technology not working on it's own and someone INTENTIONALLY blocking the use of that technology.