NYC Law Aims To Ban Cell Phones In Theatres

LunarFox writes: "This article on Wired says a New York City councilman is trying to ban cellphones in 'places of public performance'. It would be the first legislation of its kind, following the recent state-wide ban on cellphone use while driving. Wired mentions that actor Laurence Fishburne, in the middle of a Broadway performance, yelled to an audience member to "turn your f___ing phone off!" And here I thought I was the only one who didn't like hearing Flight of the Bumblebee as a ringtone."

Comments

Re:Better than cell phone jammers

[jsse]

The use of jammer is illegal in some place like UK as it'd cause interference outside the building.

In fact there are other solution which uses magnetic wood built around the theatre to block phone signals.

Of course, legislation is perferrable by theatres owners, and you can see why. :)

A Clarification on the NY/Cell issue

[zorander]

There's a lot of piss and moan going on about this right now so let me clear this up (I know it's been mentioned, but people don't often see things deep in the threads and make moronic comments anyways)

Cell phone use in cars is not illegal in New York state. I should know. I drive cars in New York State.

It's the *handset*. If you get a handsfree unit (indeed...it is law that all phones come with a handsfree unit in this state. typically they give you a coupon to send for one.) It's the hand off the wheel, not the conversation/distraction factor....and of course the looking for the phone when it rings (handfree makes it easy to answer and something you can learn to do without looking--like skipping tracks on the CD player).

Besides. I like having the phone in a handsfree cradle because that keeps it charged (even in the limited amount of time i spend in the car) and I always know where it is when I am getting out of the car and need to make sure I have it, etc. Makes things easier and less distracting..

this is a good thing...especially around here, high school students get into accidents involving cell phones because they're more inexperienced at driving and the extra distraction puts them over a threshold in an emergency situation...actually I think looking for the phone/getting it out of my pocket is the hardest part...

oh yeah. You can talk at stoplights and while pulled over, and for thirty seconds under any circumstances before a ticket can be given. Very few emergencies need more than thirty seconds..

so that's the scoop on cell phones in cars in new york so COOL IT

Brian

Re:Horrible idea

[nlh]

I don't think any owners of theater are OK with people using cellphones. In fact, almost every theater I've been to recently has some type of "please turn your cellphone off!" sign or warning.

The difference is, theater owners can't fine you if you keep it on. They can't take away your phone either -- all they can do is yell at you. A law would enable direct monetary or physical consequences to being a dipshit, and that will act as a deterrant.

--noah

Re:Not just in theatres.

[Anonymous Coward]

But the rest of people don't rate and have no business taking a call in a theatre, a resturaunt, or even in the grocery

Did you see today's Dilbert in the Sunday paper? It made a good point about cell phone's in resturaunts. Go have a look

Re:A hypothetical future scenario.

[rodgerd]

Take the cellphone off her.

Seriously.

I, too had the "Moron in LoTR" experience - the guy kept playing with his phone (checking for messages, for chrissake). Since he had one of those ultra-bright blue screen Nokia 8000 series phone, it was not only beeping away, but light enough to be irritating. Worse, after I had to tell him for the second time to quit fucking with his phone he had the cheek to act puzzled and hurt about it.

Some people shouldn't allowed out in public. At least he stopped after the second time, cause I'm sure he wouldn't have enjoyed watching his tiny little phone sailing over the balcony...

Re:Horrible idea

[sulli]

I'm suprised to see that most of the posters agree with this proposed law.

I'm not.

Slashdot: Protect My Rights, The Hell With Yours!

Re:I vote for...

[barnaclebarnes]

In movie theaters, you could put up a "have you turned off the ringer on your cell phone?" slide, and then make the things ring. Do this 4 or 5 times before the previews, etc., start.

Actually they have been doing this for at least the last couple of years in the UK. Twice before the mobvie starts they have an ad. The first one has about 10 phones ringing from all over the place (surround sound), the next one is a Wallace And Grommit ad.

They work to. Most times I rememeber to turn of my phone before I go into the theater but on the few occasions I don't the ads are a simple polite way to remind me to.