The Theater Decorum War
September 20, 2006
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Posted by Aubrey Turner
That last post reminded me of something that comes up from time to time when the issue of cell phones in theaters is discussed. Talk frequently turns to jamming or blocking cell signals to prevent the problem. In the United States, at least, jamming is illegal. But I don’t think some variation of Faraday Cage technology (such as the “magnetic wood” mentioned in my jamming link) would be an issue. It seems to me that a property owner has the right to create an RF quiet zone.
But any talk of blocking always brings up someone complaining about how they have some critical need to get cell or pager signals 24×7. They claim they’d sue the theater owner if they missed a page (the usual case is of a doctor who misses a critical page). But I’m curious as to how they handle the fact that some buildings are already natural Faraday cages in that if the building has enough structural steel or rebar it can block signals. It seems to me that as long as the theater makes its blocking technology conspiciously known that these people wouldn’t have any reason to complain. If the market really demands a theater where people can take pages and phonecalls, then someone will provide one. So instead of going to the nice, quiet, relaxing theater that I’m going to be at, they can go on down to the rude-and-noisy cineplex down the block.
I was reminded of this by the discussion thread associated with the article on the Star-Telegram’s website, and this comment in particular:
I agree that a pleasant movie-going experience is important, especially with the prices of admission these days. I also take comfort in knowing that if my son’s babysitter or care taker for the evening needs to reach me due to a minor or major emergency she can do so by text messaging or calling me on my cell phone. I always keep my phone on silent but it’s not a freedom I would be willing to give up in order to see a movie in an AMC Theatre.
Isn’t the point of hiring a babysitter that you have someone who knows how to handle problems or to at least dial 911 if something bad happens? From this sort of attitude you’d almost think that no one ever left the house before cell phones were invented.
Categories: Technology
You don’t have kids, do you?
[Yes, I agree with the premise of your point, but people don’t hire babysitters with the expectation that they can handle really critical situations. They *do* expect that the sitter can call 911 or the family doctor. They *do not* expect that the sitter (come on, who is usually 15 or so and making less than minimum wage, usually in unreported cash) can make life-or-death situations. They expect that the sitter will call 911 to get the ambulance there and then call the parents so that they can meet them at the hospital.
I would say that generally, yes, people went out for the evening before cell phones. But it involved a much higher degree of anxiety. I did a lot of babysitting (parents love male babysitters) and raked in a lot of cash. People called in every hour “just to check in”. I would be given phone numbers at restaurants or other locales in order to contact people. Fortunately nothing bad ever happened. Before I had a cell phone, my wife and I would check in when we left my daughter with a sitter (she’s 9, so it was during the age of cell phones, but not pervasive cell phones).
What I would like to see is a service where the parents could leave a cell phone or pager with an usher and have the usher come to their seat and summon them if it’s really urgent. That seems like an acceptable tradeoff—no noise in the theater but a way to get ahold of you if needed.
I’m not sure I buy your argument with regards to sitters not making life-or-death decisions. From my point of view, you’ve actually put them in that situation if something really bad happens. You’re trusting their judgement to make the call to 911 if something goes really wrong.
Anyhow, your suggestion about having the theater handle the contact is the first sane one I’ve heard. It allows parents to be notified without having people taking calls during the movie, interrupting the rest of the theater.
Actually, I don’t mind the idea of people having their phones on vibrate if they leave the theater before answering. Yeah, they may miss the call, but they can tell people to call them again a few seconds later if they don’t answer at first.
Unfortunately, all I ever hear is people complaining about not being able to use their cellphones wherever they want to, without consideration for others.
It just occurred to me that what’s needed is a “please hold, I’m answering but I’m in a quiet place and have to leave” button on cellphones for the above situation.
I think you can trust babysitters to make critical decisions … up to a point. As we’ve explained to our sitters, if you feel you need to call 911, call them first (and we’ve talked about what that might entail), but then you’d better be calling me second.
I trust a babysitter to call 911. I wouldn’t trust her to make a decision to go into emergency surgery.