Everybody’s talkin’ at me
It’s not enough that you have to endure the painful process of paying more for gas than ever before, now you have to have someone talking to you, incessantly, while you do it.
Ads and other info projected on TV screens at gas pumps are nothing new. In my view, it’s just more noise. You walk through a grocery store anymore and some pitchman or woman is barking out from a screen, touting the latest doodad or imported item. They replace live people in some department stores and invade the potentially brief relief from sound almost anywhere people gather.
It brings to mind a part of our job that some people don’t understand. Because we do a lot of writing, sometimes we need to stop and think. I may appear that for a few seconds or even a couple of minutes, one of us is doing nothing and others may choose that moment to stop and visit or chat. But it’s a valuable part of the writing process, just like a few minutes at a quiet gas pump could be a respite from the cacophony of everyday life! But we’re being robbed of that.
And for the first time, a political party is going to take advantage of this assault on our senses. The ruling federal party, to be exact - the Conservatives - have unleashed attack ads on Liberal Leader Stephane Dion. Let me be clear: I don’t care which party is attacking whom - that’s not the issue! It’s not a politically motivated comment. It’s a wishing-for-some-quiet-time comment.
I believe that there may be a backlash against this type of non-election advertising and where it is being aired, while you’re helplessly emptying your wallet for some gas. But your reaction is up to you. I just know that I long for a little peace and quiet sometimes…somewhere!
June 10th, 2008 at 7:38 am
Hi Lisa,
I certainly agree with the continual background noise big city life can bring and the need for silence.
During a couple of yearly treks at my best friend’s Haliburton cottage on a conservation lake, with no motor craft allowed, I am always amazed at the incredible sound of silence! Just canoes, paddle boats and floating loungers with cup holders! You can float around for hours letting the stress from the grind of life float off into the blue sky and then go for a dip in the spring-fed, pristine lake.
Unfortunately, the multi-sensory points of advertising are not going away anytime soon. This advertsing medium is on the upswing. Soon, many retailers will be rigging their stores with digital boards and TV monitors to get in front of people proven to spend 2 hours in the grocery store every week, 1 hour at the big box store. And, then follow the cues to log onto the advertised website when they get home. It’s great for advertisers because they have figured our some down time moments where they can reach consumers. It’s not a new theory i.e. billboard alley on the west Gardiner.
Good thing is, there a lots of places, no matter what, to find that much needed solace and to take a much needed chill break!