Jack White bans phones at gigs for “100% human experience” • Hacker News Board

Re: Jack White bans phones at gigs for “100% human experience”

#301

Post by KhanMahGretsch » Thu, Jan 25, 2018, 9:40 PM UTC

I don't see any harm in artists running this experiment, for many younger audience members, it could be the first time they experience a show without phones.

As long as such restrictions are transparent to the ticket-buyer, I'll allow them to vote with their cash. This initiative seems to be an attempt by Mr. White to sculpt the environment and experience at his shows, which is his prerogative. Other bands routinely impose restrictions (Metallica won't allow alcohol to be served while they're on-stage; Morrissey won't allow any meat to be served at his shows).

Re: Jack White bans phones at gigs for “100% human experience”

#302

Post by asmosoinio » Thu, Jan 25, 2018, 9:42 PM UTC

mruniverse wrote: post #280

Looks like a “100% human experience” weeds out parents with young children.

Why? Is it really that impossible to spend a few hours without being able to communicate with whoever is taking care of ones kids? I don't think so.

Re: Jack White bans phones at gigs for “100% human experience”

#303

Post by whatyoucantsay » Thu, Jan 25, 2018, 9:44 PM UTC

icebraining wrote: post #295

whatyoucantsay wrote: post #286

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> "Let's imagine that my child is at a party or other social engagement and they want deniable reason to escape. [0] There may be excessive peer pressure, illegal activity, or any other pre-arranged reason they may need to bail on something without incurring the loss of face that could be socially devastating." In that case, I would imagine the child's parents failed in teaching the values of both honesty and courage…

"(...) None of us could live with an habitual truth-teller; but thank goodness none of us has to. An habitual truth-teller is simply an impossible creature; he does not exist; he never has existed. Of course there are people who think they never lie, but it is not so—and this ignorance is one of the very things that shame our so-called civilization. Everybody lies—every day; every hour; awake; asleep; in his dreams;…

I prefer Kant.

Re: Jack White bans phones at gigs for “100% human experience”

#304

Post by spac » Thu, Jan 25, 2018, 9:46 PM UTC

dblohm7 wrote: post #278

CUViper wrote: post #246

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Part of my human experience may include checking how the babysitter is doing with the kids. I'm not going to do that in a way that disrupts the show, but I still want that access.

Is that really necessary? Our parents didn't have that luxury, and we turned out fine...

Except for all the cases in which things didn't turn out fine, but would have if a cellphone had existed, and that you never really heard about. (minor grammar edit)

Re: Jack White bans phones at gigs for “100% human experience”

#305

Post by cabaalis » Thu, Jan 25, 2018, 9:47 PM UTC

Simple economics. People will weigh the value of being able to use their phones and/or record the performance versus their want to attend.

Re: Jack White bans phones at gigs for “100% human experience”

#306

Post by reubenswartz » Thu, Jan 25, 2018, 9:49 PM UTC

alangibson wrote: post #287

While I'm definitely on Jack's side spiritually, Yondr is not an efficient solution. We need to consciously and intentionally establish a norm of 'no phones' in certain group situations, just like how many areas have established a norm of 'no smoking'. And, yes, it's true that 'no smoking' often has local law to help drive the idea home, but it's not like there's a cop monitoring the smoking situation in every public…

Yeah, I think a similar video played before the start of the show, about how you paid all this money to be here, why see it through a small screen as if you were on YouTube, combined with a few people actually getting kicked out, would work wonders.

They can have a moment in the show for everyone who "needs" a picture or a brief video can take one. And just let everyone know that the whole show will be on YouTube in good quality later-- no need to take your own.

Re: Jack White bans phones at gigs for “100% human experience”

#307

Post by throwaway43532 » Thu, Jan 25, 2018, 9:49 PM UTC

cglace wrote: post #208

throwaway43532 wrote: post #173

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> My goodness, all those people who went to concerts before cell phones must have been so hardcore, taking risks like that. I get the point you're trying to make, but to me this just reads like gatekeeping. Cell phones are useful and they can make people safer. In a world with cell phones not having timely access to one is riskier. In a world without cell phones it's a moot point. The more interesting issue -- which…

What type of information would you receive on your phone during a concert that would make you safer? I'm honestly curious.

"Hey throwaway43532, [PERSON] just found out you're at [PLACE] and is on their way with a weapon. I contacted the authorities, but you need to get out of there now!" might be a severe example.

There are many situations where a cell phone can allow you to send or receive information that could tip the scales in your favor.

Re: Jack White bans phones at gigs for “100% human experience”

#308

Post by monksy » Thu, Jan 25, 2018, 9:53 PM UTC

valuearb wrote: post #223

davb wrote: post #87

I experienced the Yondr phone prison last night for the first time (at a Chris Rock show). While I detest people being disruptive with their phones, I don’t think this is the right solution. From a practical standpoint, it took a lot longer to get into and out of the venue when phones had to be locked up. Checking your phone when you pop out to the toilet meant waiting in a queue to have your phone unlocked, and bein…

LOL using the Manchester bombing as reason. First terrorist incidents are so rare you might as well argue that you need your phone in case of a plane crash. Secondly, these events have security, crowd control, management, etc, all with their own phones. Emergency services doesn't need a thousand simultaneous calls. In a genuine mass emergency there is a lot more important needs for network access than providing peopl…

The Manchester and Bataclan incidents are perfect examples. That's the whole point of terrorism. The groups are not effective enough to influence who they want without fear tacits. They're going to target large groups of people, and events tend to do that.

The situation of the Bataclan, the emergency services does need to know whats going on inside, and at multiple points of the building. For Manchester, they needed to know what exit was being targeted, and which other ones that popped up as well (there could have been more than one attacker)

I emphitise and understand where you're at with the usher part, it sucks and they're going to try to guilt trip you over it. However, that's the right process to go through. (You're esclating). MLB solves this issue by putting a short code to text about bad behavior on the backs of seats. (Again you have to use your phone with this)

Re: Jack White bans phones at gigs for “100% human experience”

#309

Post by jasonthevillain » Thu, Jan 25, 2018, 9:56 PM UTC

acdanger wrote: post #209

jasonthevillain wrote: post #188

I was about to buy Jack White tickets today and... I think I'll pass. Don't get me wrong. I've seen several shows, including Jack White, that politely ask the audience to keep their phones away for part or all of the show. That's fine with me and it basically works. But as much as I'd like to see Jack White again, I really don't enjoy being treated like a child.

I don't get your response; would you not go to a state park because there's a rule against operating motorized vehicles on the hiking trails?

Not at all. I also go to all sorts of concerts that don't allow cameras. It's the "how" that rubs me the wrong way.

Your state park would indicate "no vehicles beyond this point" and I assume if anyone starting driving on the hiking trail they'd be asked to follow the rules or leave.

That's different than insisting you hand over your keys in order to enter the park. That wouldn't feel quite right, would it?

Re: Jack White bans phones at gigs for “100% human experience”

#310

Post by monksy » Thu, Jan 25, 2018, 9:56 PM UTC

mullen wrote: post #256

rapnie wrote: post #232

Earlier quoted context omitted.

i survived the era before mobile.. it wasn't that scary :)

I have to laugh at some these posts. I also lived in a world without cell phones and I (and the rest of the world) did just fine. Turning off your phones at a concert is not a big deal at all.

The irony, despite my prior comments, I don't have an issue with turning my phone off and keeping it with me. I do have an issue with being locked away from it or have it taken away by someone you can't trust.