Comments on: American Idolatry http://www.annhandley.com/2008/05/22/american-idolatry/ Ann Handley writes about work, culture, parenting in stories and vignettes from everyday life. Tue, 02 Mar 2010 07:19:52 -0800 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.5 hourly 1 By: Kristi http://www.annhandley.com/2008/05/22/american-idolatry/comment-page-1/#comment-713 Kristi Wed, 02 Jul 2008 21:25:49 +0000 http://www.annhandley.com/?p=21#comment-713 A general question - has our "quality time" as a culture slipped so much that sitting in front of the tv as a family counts as such? I grew up in the 70's on a farm...with 2 tv stations. Other than my dad watching the news for weather reports, it was rarely on. We read a lot, worked outside together and talked to one another. I'm trying to do the same thing in my family now. We've banned the use of technology that makes tv "easier" from the house. Most of our friends think we're crazy - and we're in IT and marketing, so it looks even more so. I sometimes feel like we might be missing out, then we go for a walk together as a family after dinner, knowing American Idol is on, and I just couldn't care less. A general question – has our “quality time” as a culture slipped so much that sitting in front of the tv as a family counts as such?

I grew up in the 70’s on a farm…with 2 tv stations. Other than my dad watching the news for weather reports, it was rarely on. We read a lot, worked outside together and talked to one another. I’m trying to do the same thing in my family now. We’ve banned the use of technology that makes tv “easier” from the house.

Most of our friends think we’re crazy – and we’re in IT and marketing, so it looks even more so. I sometimes feel like we might be missing out, then we go for a walk together as a family after dinner, knowing American Idol is on, and I just couldn’t care less.

]]> By: Liz http://www.annhandley.com/2008/05/22/american-idolatry/comment-page-1/#comment-618 Liz Sat, 31 May 2008 16:39:38 +0000 http://www.annhandley.com/?p=21#comment-618 Technology, can't live with it, can't live without it :-) :-( Technology, can’t live with it, can’t live without it :-) :-(

]]> By: pete http://www.annhandley.com/2008/05/22/american-idolatry/comment-page-1/#comment-606 pete Fri, 30 May 2008 12:01:47 +0000 http://www.annhandley.com/?p=21#comment-606 C.C. reminds me of something I used to do when setting the VCR timer. (yes, there was ad-skipping before the DVR.) But at my house we ran into the exact same issue, Ann. There must be a tech adoption cycle documented somewhere from the consumer perspective - don't need it, I'll try it, can't live without it, doesnt do everything I want, ok I'll deal with it. Or something like that. C.C. reminds me of something I used to do when setting the VCR timer. (yes, there was ad-skipping before the DVR.) But at my house we ran into the exact same issue, Ann. There must be a tech adoption cycle documented somewhere from the consumer perspective – don’t need it, I’ll try it, can’t live without it, doesnt do everything I want, ok I’ll deal with it. Or something like that.

]]> By: Kristin Gorski http://www.annhandley.com/2008/05/22/american-idolatry/comment-page-1/#comment-605 Kristin Gorski Thu, 29 May 2008 02:06:31 +0000 http://www.annhandley.com/?p=21#comment-605 Ah, technology. DVRs are too precise, Twitter can't handle its tweets, and Technorati hasn't updated most blogs' links in months (perhaps years). Yet we just keep comin' back for more. Your post really got me thinking: I used to think we had a choice when it comes to technology, but I don't think we do any more. We are so dependent, as you and many commenters state. This worries me: Those of us who work in tech a lot have to be wary of technology monopolies (like Technorati) because when it breaks, we have nothing else to fall back on, and we depend on it. In the tech marketplace, often the first and fastest get the largest market share, but what if, well, those companies are horrible and inefficient? Anyone out there starting a new Technorati? (Just wondering.....) Ah, technology. DVRs are too precise, Twitter can’t handle its tweets, and Technorati hasn’t updated most blogs’ links in months (perhaps years).

Yet we just keep comin’ back for more.

Your post really got me thinking: I used to think we had a choice when it comes to technology, but I don’t think we do any more. We are so dependent, as you and many commenters state.

This worries me: Those of us who work in tech a lot have to be wary of technology monopolies (like Technorati) because when it breaks, we have nothing else to fall back on, and we depend on it. In the tech marketplace, often the first and fastest get the largest market share, but what if, well, those companies are horrible and inefficient?

Anyone out there starting a new Technorati? (Just wondering…..)

]]> By: Karen Swim http://www.annhandley.com/2008/05/22/american-idolatry/comment-page-1/#comment-604 Karen Swim Thu, 29 May 2008 00:36:05 +0000 http://www.annhandley.com/?p=21#comment-604 Ann, I can so relate! I l have TiVos now joined by and ATT DVR (dumped Comcast). We do become dependent on technology and rail against it when it fails us. I did learn the extended trick which must infuriate the networks who make their shows run long so we won't change the channel. My ATT DVR tapes 3 shows at a time so once again I've beaten the networks. :-) Great post Ann! Ann, I can so relate! I l have TiVos now joined by and ATT DVR (dumped Comcast). We do become dependent on technology and rail against it when it fails us. I did learn the extended trick which must infuriate the networks who make their shows run long so we won’t change the channel. My ATT DVR tapes 3 shows at a time so once again I’ve beaten the networks. :-) Great post Ann!

]]> By: Christian Gulliksen http://www.annhandley.com/2008/05/22/american-idolatry/comment-page-1/#comment-599 Christian Gulliksen Tue, 27 May 2008 18:20:38 +0000 http://www.annhandley.com/?p=21#comment-599 All these people are much smarter than me -- I added Hell's Kitchen (which follows AI) to my record list and always managed to catch the last bit of the show that way. The low-tech workaround. But you're right -- technology is cool, except when it isn't. DVRs are great because I'm never home for the shows I want and I was always lousy with VCRs. I do skip past most commercials -- but I'll watch them once in a while when an ad looks interesting. All these people are much smarter than me — I added Hell’s Kitchen (which follows AI) to my record list and always managed to catch the last bit of the show that way. The low-tech workaround. But you’re right — technology is cool, except when it isn’t.

DVRs are great because I’m never home for the shows I want and I was always lousy with VCRs. I do skip past most commercials — but I’ll watch them once in a while when an ad looks interesting.

]]> By: Dusan Vrban http://www.annhandley.com/2008/05/22/american-idolatry/comment-page-1/#comment-596 Dusan Vrban Sun, 25 May 2008 16:13:09 +0000 http://www.annhandley.com/?p=21#comment-596 I'm using computer (with Media center) and extending every recording for at least 30 minutes before and after. There's just sooooooo much disk space. :-) Yet I hate my mobile for it resets at worst possible times. When I just need to make that urgent call... Technology actually sucks, even tough I'm kinda techno-freak. I can remember when I was young. Our parents would meet with friends at least 3 times a week, having fun, picnic, parties. No social networking, no rush, no speed. Commercials? Cool, time to talk to each other, have a drink. See that new TV star presenting that new car. :-) Today we have tools to make us "efficient". Yet they just make us dependent, as you have pointed out, Ann. I’m using computer (with Media center) and extending every recording for at least 30 minutes before and after. There’s just sooooooo much disk space. :-)

Yet I hate my mobile for it resets at worst possible times. When I just need to make that urgent call…

Technology actually sucks, even tough I’m kinda techno-freak. I can remember when I was young. Our parents would meet with friends at least 3 times a week, having fun, picnic, parties. No social networking, no rush, no speed. Commercials? Cool, time to talk to each other, have a drink. See that new TV star presenting that new car. :-)

Today we have tools to make us “efficient”. Yet they just make us dependent, as you have pointed out, Ann.

]]> By: Jill http://www.annhandley.com/2008/05/22/american-idolatry/comment-page-1/#comment-595 Jill Sat, 24 May 2008 02:48:39 +0000 http://www.annhandley.com/?p=21#comment-595 Sure sounds like some sort of evil plot from Fox to get you to watch the commercials next time! Sure sounds like some sort of evil plot from Fox to get you to watch the commercials next time!

]]> By: Ann Handley http://www.annhandley.com/2008/05/22/american-idolatry/comment-page-1/#comment-594 Ann Handley Sat, 24 May 2008 00:14:53 +0000 http://www.annhandley.com/?p=21#comment-594 Jared: Well, I don't think folks in advertising are going out of their way to make a non-compelling ad, but as you say, technology is changing the way individuals are reacting to advertising, both bad or good. And that means that, increasingly, advertisers HAVE to be in tune on a whole nuther level. The good stuff, we sit through. Evan (why does the guy always get the clicker?) actually *stopped* the Fast Forward to view the iTunes ad I mentioned earlier. The bad stuff... fuhgeddedabouit. So I think there's an increasing pressure to create advertising that folks DON'T FF thru.. which I guess is basically what you said. Jared: Well, I don’t think folks in advertising are going out of their way to make a non-compelling ad, but as you say, technology is changing the way individuals are reacting to advertising, both bad or good. And that means that, increasingly, advertisers HAVE to be in tune on a whole nuther level. The good stuff, we sit through. Evan (why does the guy always get the clicker?) actually *stopped* the Fast Forward to view the iTunes ad I mentioned earlier. The bad stuff… fuhgeddedabouit. So I think there’s an increasing pressure to create advertising that folks DON’T FF thru.. which I guess is basically what you said.

]]> By: Dan Schawbel http://www.annhandley.com/2008/05/22/american-idolatry/comment-page-1/#comment-593 Dan Schawbel Fri, 23 May 2008 17:46:41 +0000 http://www.annhandley.com/?p=21#comment-593 This post makes me feel really bad for the social network called Bebo (Comcast acquired them). This post makes me feel really bad for the social network called Bebo (Comcast acquired them).

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