Too many remotes is not progress
Published on Thu, Aug 5, 2010 by John PierreRead More The Constant Curmudgeon
I remember when the first television "remote" came out. It greatly simplified my life in that I could turn my TV on or off, select a channel and adjust the volume without ever having to remove my carcass from the sofa.
What a grand improvement over having to call my young son in from the backyard to change channels.
At 50+ years old, he still hasn't forgiven me for that one minor failing.
Then, the day came when I had to buy a more modern television and, the improvements in available programming were intriguing but only to a minor degree.
Though hundreds of channels were now available, only 7 or 8 of them were worth watching. But the need for "remotes" grew.
Now I had to have three of the devices to operate my new TV. One had only one function... to turn the TV on or off.
A second one was required to change channels and adjust the volume to my level of comfort.
Then there was a need for a third one... to select the size of screen needed to view a given show, either wide screen or the old, standard 4:3 nearly square screen.
This same "clicker" had one other function and that was to activate my VHS or DVD player.
It takes a little getting used to but is tolerable... UNTIL... you pick up the wrong "clicker" and press the wrong button.
Now you're faced with staring at a snowstorm or a black screen. Not knowing which "wrong" button you clicked, you begin to click others and, pretty quick, you need the assistance of a tech or a 10-year-old great-grandchild to get the technological monstrosity operating again.
I'll admit that the modern TVs with their cable connections are an improvement over rabbit ears or ugly antennas once so numerous that the view of most neighborhoods gives the impression that they had sprouted porcupine quills.
But, while there are modest improvements in viewing capabilities and clarity of picture, the need for technological knowledge has increased exponentially (someone told me that means "a whole bunch").
I'm not suggesting we go back to the good ol' days but I have to admit that life was somewhat less confusing then.
There was only one remote, which was, for the most part, universal.
Now each TV manufacturer seems to have a need to "out clicker" its competitors. I think they've gone plumb overboard.
And, b'sides. Whatever happened to Howdy Doody and Buffalo Bob? Hmmmmm?
What a grand improvement over having to call my young son in from the backyard to change channels.
At 50+ years old, he still hasn't forgiven me for that one minor failing.
Then, the day came when I had to buy a more modern television and, the improvements in available programming were intriguing but only to a minor degree.
Though hundreds of channels were now available, only 7 or 8 of them were worth watching. But the need for "remotes" grew.
Now I had to have three of the devices to operate my new TV. One had only one function... to turn the TV on or off.
A second one was required to change channels and adjust the volume to my level of comfort.
Then there was a need for a third one... to select the size of screen needed to view a given show, either wide screen or the old, standard 4:3 nearly square screen.
This same "clicker" had one other function and that was to activate my VHS or DVD player.
It takes a little getting used to but is tolerable... UNTIL... you pick up the wrong "clicker" and press the wrong button.
Now you're faced with staring at a snowstorm or a black screen. Not knowing which "wrong" button you clicked, you begin to click others and, pretty quick, you need the assistance of a tech or a 10-year-old great-grandchild to get the technological monstrosity operating again.
I'll admit that the modern TVs with their cable connections are an improvement over rabbit ears or ugly antennas once so numerous that the view of most neighborhoods gives the impression that they had sprouted porcupine quills.
But, while there are modest improvements in viewing capabilities and clarity of picture, the need for technological knowledge has increased exponentially (someone told me that means "a whole bunch").
I'm not suggesting we go back to the good ol' days but I have to admit that life was somewhat less confusing then.
There was only one remote, which was, for the most part, universal.
Now each TV manufacturer seems to have a need to "out clicker" its competitors. I think they've gone plumb overboard.
And, b'sides. Whatever happened to Howdy Doody and Buffalo Bob? Hmmmmm?