Readers' Comments

Reader Comments on Aardvark Daily 4 November 2002
Note: the comments below are the unabridged submissions of readers and do
not necessarily reflect the opinions of the publisher.
From: Domini
For : Right Of Reply (for publication)
Subj: I hope the power cord isn't replaced!

If the ad break is of a regular duration, I'll just
memorise the timing. When an ad break arrives, I'll turn my
TV off (at the wall if I have to by way of pulling out the
plug - thats one item that no amount of technological
advancement can change!!)

If the ad break alters in duration, I will just have to
gamble - miss out on one or two minutes of my fave program
in return for choosing to watch no ads.




From: Allister Jenks
For : The Editor (for publication)
Subj: Adverts evil?

Good grief!  How far will some people go to avoid watching
advertising on TV?

Here are some suggestions:

1) Leave the room - stretch your legs and grab a drink or
snack for the next segment.  (Prevents DVT too!)

2) Pick up a magazine and have a browse - perhaps even a TV
Guide.  Your brain is actually quite good at alerting you
to when your programme restarts.

3) Talk to someone else in the room.  That is, assuming
social interaction is not beyond you.

4) Actually *watch* the adverts.  Some advertising
companies actually try to entertain you at the same time.
You can laugh scornfully at others and delight in picking
holes in their 'plots'.

And yes folks, all of these suggestions work on both
digital and analogue systems!

If you're wasting too much of your life watching TV
advertising, perhaps you should start trying some of the
following:

1) Push to the front of queues.  Waiting in line is not
good use of your time.

2) Drive through more orange lights.  Hell, why not reds?
Gotta get home to watch more of that TV.

3) Hell, forget cars - buy a helicopter to commute to work
and back.

--
Allister.

I shall not be personally held responsible for anyone
attempting 2) above.




From: Chris Brewer
For : The Editor (for publication)
Subj: Have a book handy

Admittedly I watch quite a bit of TV in the evenings,
although I've found in the last few weeks there are some
nights where there isn't anything worth watching which is
where the DVD player comes in handy.

However, on those nights where we just can't tear ourselves
from the tube I like to have a book nearby for reading
during the ads - hit the mute and you're set for the next
few minutes. A nice simple solution that isn't going to be
broken until such time as we start watching media
transmitted directly into our brains.

With 33% of TV time devoted to advertising, you'll be able
to get through quite a large pile of books in a year.




From: Peter
For : The Editor (for publication)
Subj: Control of digital media


Unfortunately, your description of future control of
digital media (4 Nov 02) is frighteningly believable.
Basically, the only real defence us citizens have is
choice.  Where we have no choice of supplier, history has
shown we usually get ripped off.  With choice, us mere
citizens can collectively condemn unfair vendors by
choosing other suppliers.
It is certainly a lost cause relying on government or the
justice system to protect us - just look at how they are
handling the Microsoft monopoly in USA.  Although found
guilty, MS has been let off.
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