What We Have Here Is a Failure To Communicate

Er…something.

Thanks to my sharp eyed major dad for the lesson in outrageously outraged indignation.

categories Biz, Fun | | datetime June 8, 2011 11:56 am

35 Responses to “What We Have Here Is a Failure To Communicate”

  1. Rob says:
    June 8, 2011 at 12:35 pm

    Theaters will have to start blocking cellphone reception and transmission before long or confiscating the device at the door.

  2. major dad says:
    June 8, 2011 at 12:42 pm

    Wanna bet her name is Emily? I’m betting it’s Emily.

  3. JeffS says:
    June 8, 2011 at 1:50 pm

    Rob, I wish they could block cellphones. Jammers are commercially available, but that’s illegal in the US of A, unless you’re with the government.

  4. Rob says:
    June 8, 2011 at 2:09 pm

    That’s the law now but I’m convinced Congress will amend that law eventually, JeffS. Cellphone usage is no longer bordering obnoxiousness and rudeness, it is pretty much redefining them.

    I see no reason a business shouldn’t be able to block transmissions on their own property as long as they disclose they are doing so.

  5. major dad says:
    June 8, 2011 at 2:43 pm

    Lawyers would get involved Rob, never a good thing along with the FCC. I like the idea of throwning people out.

  6. major dad says:
    June 8, 2011 at 2:53 pm

    Make that “throwing”, fat fingered that.

  7. Skyler says:
    June 8, 2011 at 3:02 pm

    Alamo Drafthouse is a place to drink beer and watch movies and eat some dinner.

    I’m not sure how a silent cell phone disrupts more than utensils clacking.

    I haven’t been to one in years, but by the time I get home a new one should be open three blocks from my house. Stumble home close! Can’t wait!

  8. Rob says:
    June 8, 2011 at 3:03 pm

    I’d prefer that, Major, but those would involve lawsuits, too, and that’s assuming you can get a 17-year-old usher to throw an adult out.

  9. Skyler says:
    June 8, 2011 at 3:04 pm

    The first time someone needs to make an emergency call and can’t because the signal is jammed will be a very expensive day for the jammer.

  10. Rob says:
    June 8, 2011 at 3:06 pm

    What would also be cool is if the movie would completely stop while the cellphone is in use. Have your conversation, pal. The other 300 people in the theater won’t mind.

  11. tree hugging sister says:
    June 8, 2011 at 3:09 pm

    For some reason, I get the impression she was using it as a flashlight? Where she says, “Your theater is so *&^%* DARK”? I mean, was she trying to read the paper with her iPhone or something? the glow in a dark theater had to be incredibly distracting.

    Lucky YOU, Skyler. Like civilization!

  12. Rob says:
    June 8, 2011 at 3:09 pm

    What kind of emergency call couldn’t be made from the theater’s land line, Skyler?

  13. major dad says:
    June 8, 2011 at 3:24 pm

    Come on Rob, it could be an alien takeover or something. Skyler is right though some idiot to stupid to walk outside to make the call would sue.

  14. Rob says:
    June 8, 2011 at 3:53 pm

    True, but I think those details could and will be worked out in a law, Major. One person shouldn’t be able to ruin an experience for the rest of the paid attendance. It’s really not that much different than smoking indoors.

  15. major dad says:
    June 8, 2011 at 4:08 pm

    I agree Rob. Good luck prying those cell phones out the hands of this generation though.

  16. Rob says:
    June 8, 2011 at 4:11 pm

    I’m sure you know that a crowbar is a multipurpose tool, Major. 🙂

  17. JeffS says:
    June 8, 2011 at 4:14 pm

    Rob, you’re being reasonable, never a smart thing to do when self-centered slobs or lawyers might be involved. Sorry, Skyler, but that’s how it is.

    As to the land line…..that doesn’t apply to INCOMING calls. And there is NOTHING crankier than someone who missed an incoming call. Never mind that it’s not their home or office.

    Bottom line, though, is that cellphones are replacing landlines as the primary means of personal communications. People are EXPECTING to be able to dial 911, or their office, from ANYWHERE. It’s become an official safety line.

    You’re right, cellphone usage is redefining obnoxiousness and rudeness. But that just means that jerks can display their people skills in new and different ways. And the only cure for jerks is also illegal. Unfortunately.

    Sis, alas, I can’t watch the video here (IT policies), but that’s a flaky reason to go nuclear. Sounds like someone had a bad day, and should of just STFU.

  18. JeffS says:
    June 8, 2011 at 4:15 pm

    Heh, I see we agree, Rob. At least as far as the use of a crowbar might go!

    🙂

  19. Mike Talley says:
    June 8, 2011 at 5:00 pm

    Well we will all drop dead of brain cancer apparently

    major dad says:
    June 8, 2011 at 4:08 pm I agree Rob. Good luck prying those cell phones out the hands of this generation though.

  20. skh.pcola says:
    June 8, 2011 at 6:43 pm

    It was too dark? What was showing on the theater’s screen? A panorama of the blackness inside the heart of every liberal politician? Last time that I was in a theater, I had no problem seeing, and my eyesight isn’t all that sharp.

  21. JeffS says:
    June 8, 2011 at 7:57 pm

    Heh! Finally got home, and listened to the message. That’s one customer I’d be glad not to see again.

  22. Rob says:
    June 8, 2011 at 9:42 pm

    OK, I’m just hearing it now, too. Would be pretty cool to kick out all of these rude, freedom-of-speech-use-my-phone-anywhere-anytime types and get them going to the only theater that will take them and then, yell “FIRE”.

  23. Kate P says:
    June 8, 2011 at 11:07 pm

    It probably was dark because she was LATE. Just a guess.

    I’m going to defend Emilys (but I won’t say why)–she sounds way more like Bunifa from the MADtv sketches to me!

    BTW I heard about this yesterday because I was at the SomeEcards blog. . . after my mom sent me there to look at a story about a bride in Scotland who had a fit because the groom ruined her dress by leaving a, um, “mark” as the result of wearing his kilt according to tradition. I don’t know which is crazier, that it happened or that my mom of all people sent me the link!

  24. Skyler says:
    June 8, 2011 at 11:53 pm

    JeffS, the first time some young lady gets assaulted in the alley that leads out of the theater and can’t call 911 because someone is jamming the signal will be the day all theaters stop jamming because they will lose their business in the ensuing tort case.

    I’m not saying this is a good thing, it’s just how it is.

  25. JeffS says:
    June 9, 2011 at 12:05 am

    Skyler, I realize that this is a long thread, but please re-read it.

    I pointed out that cellphone jamming is ILLEGAL, and that cellphones are recognized as an “official” safety device. So jamming ain’t gonna happen in the US. Unless it benefits Obama in some fashion.

    Others wanted jamming. Not me.

  26. Ebola says:
    June 9, 2011 at 12:14 am

    She was probably trying to read the menu. Alamo Drafthouse was our favorite place to go drink beer and drunkenly make fun of a movie in San Antonio.

    Catch is, they serve food as well. I’m with Skyler on this, not sure how using your cellphone, on silent as a flashlight on the menu or to write your order (you write it on a piece of paper and the waiters come through every once and a while to grab it). Matter of fact it was pretty much common practice at the one in San Antonio.

    Question is, was that what she was doing?

  27. JeffS says:
    June 9, 2011 at 1:15 am

    A good question, Ebola, because she went between “texting” and “flashlight”.

    I tend to believe that the Alamo Drafthouse staff had a solid reason to toss her out…..and then post her rant on YouTube. In fact, I’d go so far as to say “Emily” probably set a new low for obnoxious behavior to earn this sort of publicity.

  28. Rob says:
    June 9, 2011 at 6:30 am

    Actually, I didn’t say jamming, either. I said blocking. There are two methods as I understand it. Active (Jamming), which is illegal, and passive, making your building difficult for the signal to penetrate, which is now a gray legal area. The passive method wouldn’t prevent a person from making an emergency call in the alley.

  29. JeffS says:
    June 9, 2011 at 9:39 am

    Hmmmmmm……passive, Rob? I don’t want to go all out technogeek here, but what you’re describing is a Faraday cage. That COULD work, and it wouldn’t impact calls outside building. And, technically, not illegal.

    I say “technically” because it wouldn’t be active jamming (i.e., transmitting with intent to block radio frequency signals), which is specifically prohibited. But some clown would sue for inconvenience, and soon enough, we might see another set of judicial laws handed down.

    And it would be expensive, especially if we’re talking about retrofitting an existing building.

    But I take your point — you didn’t say “jamming”. I just didn’t considering passive shielding as an option.

  30. Rob says:
    June 9, 2011 at 10:21 am

    I think it would be difficult to sue, JeffS. There are existing buildings that have difficult cellphone reception/transmission and they’re not liable. From what I understand, grounded chicken wire would do the trick. Not particularly expensive and you could hide that behind sheetrock for “reinforcement”.

    I would prefer full disclosure but a solution will be found or there will be riots in the theaters before long. Theaters would be liable for that.

    Really, though, I think I talked myself into the best solution yesterday. Stop the movie and maybe even shine a light on the twits using their cellphones in the theater. Embarrassment works.

  31. JeffS says:
    June 9, 2011 at 12:34 pm

    Liability could be the issue *IF* the blocking was deliberate, Rob. Besides, you’re being reasonable again. What did I say about that, hmmmm?

    🙂

    Grounded chicken wire would indeed do the trick, but not for an existing building. Coverage has to be complete; any gaps diminish the effectiveness of the shielding (e.g., windows and doors). That likely means a complete remodeling.

    So you could add it IF you were remodeling, but not solely for this purpose. The better approach would be to shield selected rooms or areas.

    So, a pretty solution, with some practical but limited applications.

  32. major dad says:
    June 9, 2011 at 1:12 pm

    JeffS and Rob, you two need a class on RF and wave propagation theory. Back to the real issue; turn the damn phone off or leave. Simple as that “Emily” notwithstanding.

  33. Rob says:
    June 9, 2011 at 2:36 pm

    Don’t forget the crowbar, Major. Some patrons might leave willingly but others may have to be pried or coaxed out of their seat. The multi-use crowbar serves both purposes. 🙂

  34. JeffS says:
    June 9, 2011 at 7:26 pm

    Major Dad, we WERE discussing practical applications of RF and wave propagation theory.

    At least, I was, being an amateur radio operator and all.

  35. JeffS says:
    June 9, 2011 at 7:26 pm

    Let me add, crowbars have multiple applications within the ham community of practice as well!

    🙂

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