FCC did something right ...yaay

[BoberFett]

Obviously not, since this is just being regulated now. Look up the concept of Negative Externality when you get a chance. There's $ value of my annoyance that the cable companies are not pricing in when selling higher volume commercial space.

I didn't realize that annoyance was an acceptable reason for federal regulation. I'm annoyed at how unfunny some of the quiet shows in between loud commercials are. We need a new government agency to mandate specific levels of funny.

 

[BoberFett]

Also, as a side note, let me just say how hiliarious it is to see the champions of big goverment jump in here to defend the mouth-breathing masses of TV viewers.

 

[halik]

I didn't realize that annoyance was an acceptable reason for federal regulation. I'm annoyed at how unfunny some of the quiet shows in between loud commercials are. We need a new government agency to mandate specific levels of funny.

Not gonna make it too far with false analogies that somehow equate sound volume to free speech. This falls in the realm of nuisance and it's definitely not priced in on my end.

 

[fskimospy]

Is the FCC free? Was the time and money spent making an agency that accepts and records complaints on commercial volume the best allocation of resources. Surely you can see some of the complaints a free market libertopian idealogue like myself could come up with if they bothered to try.

I didn't even bother to post in this thread until the OP was edited to include a swipe at free markets.

Of course the FCC isn't free. It costs about a dollar per citizen per year. This is a tiny fraction of what the FCC does however and I for one am glad they're doing it. With this rule alone they totally earned my dollar this year.

 

[BoberFett]

Not gonna make it too far with false analogies that somehow equate volume to free speech.

OK pedant, how about loud sound effects in otherwise quiet scenes of movies? Why should I have to be subjected to that? All dialogue and sound effects in movies should be exactly the same volume, or it's a violation of my right not to be annoyed.

This falls in the realm of nuisance and it's definitely not priced in on my end.

And are you really going to make the claim that loud commercials have a externalized price?

If I buy a hamburger that doesn't have mustard, I have to ask the waitress to bring a bottle to the table. Dear god! That's an externalized cost to society! Quick, form an agency to regulate condiment dispensation!

 

[halik]

OK pedant, how about loud sound effects in otherwise quiet scenes of movies? Why should I have to be subjected to that? All dialogue and sound effects in movies should be exactly the same volume, or it's a violation of my right not to be annoyed.



And are you really going to make the claim that loud commercials have a externalized price?

If I buy a hamburger that doesn't have mustard, I have to ask the waitress to bring a bottle to the table. Dear god! That's an externalized cost to society! Quick, form an agency to regulate condiment dispensation!

(or otherwise) and someone yelling domino's pizza specials over a megaphone in your subdivision at 6am, I really can't help you.

In your hamburger hypo, the condiment mishap is priced in the tip...

 

[momeNt]

If you cannot comprehend the distinction between loud noises in movies and someone yelling domino's pizza specials over a megaphone in your subdivision at 6am, I really can't help you.

In your hamburger hypo, the condiment mishap is priced in the tip...

So restaurants that mandate 15% tips on parties of x or more (usually 6 or 8), we still would need to form an agency regulating condiment dispensation.

 

[halik]

So restaurants that mandate 15% tips on parties of x or more (usually 6 or 8), we still would need to form an agency regulating condiment dispensation.

You can find a restaurant that doesn't do that or make a fuss if the service is that bad. Again you kids can't seem to understand the difference between an oligopoly (telco, utils etc.) and near perfect competition (restaurants).

 

[feralkid]

So restaurants that mandate 15% tips on parties of x or more (usually 6 or 8), we still would need to form an agency regulating condiment dispensation.

You really ought to look up the FCC and what it actually does.

 

[momeNt]

You can find a restaurant that doesn't do that or make a fuss if the service is that bad. Again you kids can't seem to understand the difference between an oligopoly (telco, utils etc.) and near perfect competition (restaurants).

You can't seem to understand that telcos are an unnatural oligopoly/monopoly (in many areas) not allowed to compete properly because of how municipalities handle the contracts because telcos use "public" property. Problem doesn't exist in a free market.

 

[drebo]

Good job on fighting for the rights of people to annoy millions of TV viewers.

Lets go, Wolverines!

I haven't heard anyone complain about this in years.

Between the mute button, DVRs, and audio normalizing TVs (my $150 Magnavox Tube TV I bought 6 years ago had this), it's no longer an issue.

The free market fixed the problem. Government is years behind the ball on this one.

 

[halik]

You can't seem to understand that telcos are an unnatural oligopoly/monopoly (in many areas) not allowed to compete properly because of how municipalities handle the contracts because telcos use "public" property. Problem doesn't exist in a free market.

Again, lack of Econ.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Natural_monopoly

Things that involve very heavy CapEx and have huge economies of scale invariably end up as natural monopoly. Here's an overview of natural monopoly regulation:
http://encyclo.findlaw.com/5400book.pdf

 

[drebo]

(or otherwise) and someone yelling domino's pizza specials over a megaphone in your subdivision at 6am, I really can't help you.

In your hamburger hypo, the condiment mishap is priced in the tip...

Local noise ordinance violation cannot be equated to a federal government ban on loud volume commercials.

 

[fskimospy]

I haven't heard anyone complain about this in years.

Between the mute button, DVRs, and audio normalizing TVs (my $150 Magnavox Tube TV I bought 6 years ago had this), it's no longer an issue.

The free market fixed the problem. Government is years behind the ball on this one.

A quick perusal of the internet having to do with the topic of loud commercials shows that lots and lots of people still think it's an issue.

 

[drebo]

A couple of blog posts and lazy ass forum goers != issue requiring federal intervention.

Jesus Christ, you people can't even hit the mute button anymore without the government doing it for you? Fuck it if we aren't completely fucked as a country, a culture, and a society.

 

[momeNt]

Again, lack of Econ.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Natural_monopoly

Never once thought to read anything outside of what you learned in class huh? Fair enough, some people are like that.

 

[halik]

Never once thought to read anything outside of what you learned in class huh? Fair enough, some people are like that.

FUD argument, getting a little desperate? I'm all ears though, have yet to hear anything cogen on why regulating a natural monopoly is bad. In grad school or otherwise.

 

[wirednuts]

im a little lost here... well maybe not. this is clearly 6000 complaints from old or ignorant people. since 2008, readily available are electronics that automatically adjust variances in volumes. most audio receivers have some sort of night mode that does this, and anyone who runs an HTPC (cmon anandtechers!) can set their hardware to run 'loudness equalization'. and finally, you can just buy a tv that does it built in. i dont think ive worried about loud commercials since what, 2005 when i built my first media center box?

im more annoyed by movies themselves that go from talking at a certain level one moment, to blowing my fucking speakers out the next because i didnt have loudness eq on for whatever reason (i turn it off for music). but like i said above, i know i can replace this old analog receiver i have and get something that is more compatible with movies made in the last decade.... sucks i have to spend the money, but at the same time this thing is 20 years old! i cant complain a bit.

 

[halik]

Local noise ordinance violation cannot be equated to a federal government ban on loud volume commercials.

Are you complaining about the federal gov't applying a common law principle or implying it's a false analogy?

 

[BoberFett]

You can find a restaurant that doesn't do that or make a fuss if the service is that bad. Again you kids can't seem to understand the difference between an oligopoly (telco, utils etc.) and near perfect competition (restaurants).

Seriously? This is how you're going to argue?

What if the ketchup crisis happens at a fast food restaurant, requiring me to walk back to the register and ask for condiment packets? My time has a value, and that 18 seconds to the counter has drastic ramifications on the economy. Let me guess, you tip at Burger King, big spender?

Where the hell is ketchup regulation?!?! This is killing America!!!!!!

 

[Thump553]

I must be one of those old dinosaurs. When I watch TV it's mostly channel surfing, I don't have nor do I want a DVR and I shouldn't need to get one to curb this annoyance.

TNT is a prime offender in my book-they crank the volume down on their movies so the commercials blast when they come on.

 

[dmcowen674]

FCC did something right ...yaay

http://www.dailyfinance.com/2011/12/14/shhh-fcc-to-enforce-law-banning-loud-tv-commercials/

Keeping the commercial volume in line with the programs that it's put into. Uverse is notorious for playing that stupid game. Thumbs up here.


Eagerly awaiting misguided free market libertopian about gov't meddling in a regulated oligopoly.

It doesn't go into effect for another year and any network can apply for a waiver.

I;m sure they will all apply for the "waiver".

 

[halik]

Seriously? This is how you're going to argue?

What if the ketchup crisis happens at a fast food restaurant, requiring me to walk back to the register and ask for condiment packets? My time has a value, and that 18 seconds to the counter has drastic ramifications on the economy. Let me guess, you tip at Burger King, big spender?

Where the hell is ketchup regulation?!?! This is killing America!!!!!!

Don't go to that restaurant again, if that's that big of an issue? Fast food definitely operates as nearly perfect competition, telco does not. I'm a bit astounded these distinctions are still lost on you.

 

[BoberFett]

Don't go to that restaurant again, if that's that big of an issue?

What, and leave the fate of ketchup lovers everywhere to the whims of the free market? I think not, you libertarian freak.

Fast food definitely operates as nearly perfect competition, telco does not. I'm a bit astounded these distinctions are still lost on you.

TV has competition. It's called not watching TV.

I'm surprised you're able to feed yourself.

 

[halik]

What, and leave the fate of ketchup lovers everywhere to the whims of the free market? I think not, you libertarian freak.



TV has competition. It's called not watching TV.

I'm surprised you're able to feed yourself.

Again, lack of economics and the oh so popular "im smarter than the gov't in every way" makes for poor arguments.

Are you arguing that the proper response to monopolistc behavior is not to participate? One airline, take the train. One coal company, switch to heating oil. One rail company, use the horse and wagon?

You either very young or lacking on the historical perspective of why things like the Sherman act came to be. Let me guess, windows server admin or similar IT, right?


On the other point, lack of ketchup can hardly be construed a nuisance.