Against Public Video Screens https://www.insidehighered.com/blogs/technology-and-learning/against-public-video-screens
This is an example of an article that starts well but then collapses into complete neurosis. I also find loud restaurant music annoying, but this author seems angry at the entire world for distracting him. Surely, the activities that it’s so easy to distract one from are not worthy of being engaged anyway.
Curmudgeon much… Guess I could be accused of being one too though.
LikeLike
I don’t get this at all. Some loud sounds, yes, do distract me and make it impossible to concentrate. Video screens do not. And in airports some video screens provide important information, notably which gate to go to and whether flights are delayed, etc. This writer has nothing important to say.
LikeLike
I agree. I have no idea why silent screens disturb this person so much.
LikeLike
He must be suffering from the ADHD that nobody has. 🙂 I suspect this man would be very distracted in a quiet room with no “visual and audio distraction”. For example at my last class meeting, in which I had no Powerpoint or video images or sound, I had a Beyonce song on loop in my head. This is not an unusual occurrence at all.
LikeLike
It is important to realize that ADHD comes from within and can’t be addressed but from within. Screens are just a pretext.
LikeLike
He doesn’t seems to be against silent, informative screens at airports or libraries, but against loud video screens which want to constantly entertain people. He writes:
“At some airports or waiting rooms it is very difficult to get away from the screen noise. Even if it is possible to sit so that you are not distracted by the images on the screen you hear the audio.”
I think he is against the prevalent noise pollution, not against flight timetables at airports, or exchange rate screens in bank branches. Noisy screens everywhere are a sign of control. Manipulative systems always want to talk to you. Orwell already wrote about this in his novel 1984. I don’t really like this trend. People will get accustomed of constantly being entertained. This won’t improve their connection with themselves, only increase the number of ADHD and other mental health patients.
LikeLike
But he also says:
Even audio free video screens (digital signs) in public areas are distracting in the extreme. Sitting in a public area on campus to read or write while simultaneously trying to ignore a video screen a few feet away is a recipe for distraction and fatigue.
… Never put a video screen near any tables, benches, or seats where people may want to work quietly. Don’t assume that just because the screen has no audio that it is not distracting.
LikeLike
When I read that article it seemed to me unbelievable that someone was bothered by informative screens. He perhaps talked about disturbing, flashing (albeit silent) screens. Maybe it’s just me, but I really can’t imagine anyone who has problems with airport timetables, or screens displaying course information at universities.
LikeLike
this was meant to be a reply to Shakti’s comment
LikeLike
A conservative literary critic and college professor
Clarissa's Blog 
Leave a comment