When tech goes bad

[Leisher]

This is going to cause problems.

I fully expect people will be beaten up because they own and use it.

[GORDON]

Just read about that on Slashdot.

It'd piss me off.

[TPRJones]

I just ordered one last night.

[Leisher]

Imagine sports bars that have TVs everywhere on Super Bowl Sunday. Now picture some idiot getting his laughs by turning all those TVs off randomly.

This invention will hurt business.

Now picture that same asshole getting spotted giggling and pushing the button on the device.

This invention will get people hurt.

I'd vote to see it get banned. I don't see any purpose for it other than being harmful.

[TPRJones]

I would never use it in a setting where people expect to be watching television, like a sports bar, and would gladly help beat anyone that does.

I myself spend too much time in airports trying to get a nap in between flights, and plan to use it there from time to time, but only if there's no one actually watching the increasingly common blaring televisions that make napping in some modern airports difficult. I can think of a few other situations where the ability to turn on or off any television that uses a remote control would be good rather than bad.

Remember: TV-B-Gones don't piss off people, people do.

I just wish it had two buttons; one for power on and off and one for mute on and off.

[Leisher]

I myself spend too much time in airports trying to get a nap in between flights, and plan to use it there from time to time, but only if there's no one actually watching the increasingly common blaring televisions that make napping in some modern airports difficult. I can think of a few other situations where the ability to turn on or off any television that uses a remote control would be good rather than bad.

That I understand. I really do and would use it in a similar situation.

In fact, I withdraw my ban call because I honestly think this device will spark even more devices to jam stuff like this, and that's all good for business.

Now who are you or me to decide when a TV needs to be off that doesn't belong to us? What if that blaring TV was being watched by someone else?

You or I may have the human decency to not turn it off using our device if someone else was watching it, but what about the rest of the country?

This will obviously be abused much, much more than used for legit purposes.

[GORDON]

In the past I've encouraged people to buy or build personal cell phone jammers.

I've not called for people to use them, because that's currently illegal in the U.S.

Is there a difference between these 2 devices, philosophically?

[TPRJones]

You or I may have the human decency to not turn it off using our device if someone else was watching it, but what about the rest of the country?

I remember a time when it was declared that the invention and popularization of laser pointers would ruin the film industry, because people would use them and ruin every movie shown from that time on.

Sure, there were some idiots around who did stupid stuff with them, but on the whole it was a bunch of hubbub about nothing. I feel the same way here.

[GORDON]

You or I may have the human decency to not turn it off using our device if someone else was watching it, but what about the rest of the country?

I remember a time when it was declared that the invention and popularization of laser pointers would ruin the film industry, because people would use them and ruin every movie shown from that time on.

Sure, there were some idiots around who did stupid stuff with them, but on the whole it was a bunch of hubbub about nothing. I feel the same way here.

A measurable percentage of the movies I pay to see get laser pointied.

[TheCatt]

You or I may have the human decency to not turn it off using our device if someone else was watching it, but what about the rest of the country?

I remember a time when it was declared that the invention and popularization of laser pointers would ruin the film industry, because people would use them and ruin every movie shown from that time on.

Sure, there were some idiots around who did stupid stuff with them, but on the whole it was a bunch of hubbub about nothing. I feel the same way here.

A measurable percentage of the movies I pay to see get laser pointied.

Never seen that happen.

*knocks on wood*

[GORDON]

Happened more often in Memphis and Toledo, but it's happened a lot.

Much of my hatred for the "common" man fermented in movie theaters.

[Leisher]

I remember a time when it was declared that the invention and popularization of laser pointers would ruin the film industry, because people would use them and ruin every movie shown from that time on.

Sure, there were some idiots around who did stupid stuff with them, but on the whole it was a bunch of hubbub about nothing. I feel the same way here.

Actually, once the first very public beating occurs, I would tend to agree.

However, there will always be assholes and the last thing this world needs is to give them more tools.