In a matter of weeks television signals across the U.S. will begin broadcasting in digital only, requiring many users to purchase new televisions or a converter box. The government is concerned that potentially millions of Americans will no longer be able to watch television."Don't panic," said one expert. "There are still plenty of things to do besides sitting in front of a television screen for hours on end. As I understand it, the Internet will still work, as will cell phones, video game consoles, DVD players, iPods, radios, and VCRs. Or, instead of watching television, people may wish to read a book, spend meaningful time interacting with their family and friends -- some may even wish to venture outdoors for a walk."
Skeptics, however, are predicting mass panic, possibly even civil unrest at the loss of access to favorite television channels and programs. "How am I supposed to live without television?" remarked one analog television user unprepared for the transfer to digital broadcasting. "What if I can't watch Oprah? And the new season of Lost is almost here!"
But on February 17, analog signals are scheduled to shut down, leaving millions unprepared for a world without television.
2 comments:
This post made me laugh! Personally i'm planning to be outside, somewhere public with a camera when the analog signal so i can document the "mass panic". Should be fun...right? ;)
That reminds me of a clip from South Park someone e-mailed me awhile back. Apparently the plot of the episode in question has to do with a loss of access to the Internet. People with shocked looks on their faces were running out of their homes clutching laptops, wondering what to do without the Internet.
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