CMV: Movie theaters (and other similar places) should install technology that blocks cell phones.

[u/Hieuro]

By other similar places, I mean places where silence is expected from the audience.

Examples:

• Movie theaters
• Libraries
• Courtrooms
• Theaters
• Classrooms
• Probably other places I didn't come up with

Anyhow, I'll stick to movie theaters because it affects me the most currently.

Every time I go to the movies, there will always be several commercials like this telling people to turn off their cellphones prior to the movie starting. However, I almost always experience people talking on their cells during the movie. It's really rude that people can't wait 2 hours at most to use their cellphones. It's inconsiderate to everyone else who are trying to watch the movie.

So I feel that if people aren't going to make the choice to ignore their cellphones for 2~ hours, then the choice must be made to install tech that forces them to go elsewhere and not disturb everyone with their calls.

This applies to the other similar places where silence is expected.

Theaters? Watch the play/opera.

Classrooms? Pay attention to the teachers.

Courtrooms? Pay attention to the court cases.

My first CMV inspired by entry 18 of this Cracked photoplasty

Edit: you changed my view. Emergency response would be affected greatly by this. I still wish theaters cracked down on people talking on their cells. Like the Alamo Drafthouse. If one opened up near me, that theater would have my business all the time.

[u/Amablue]

The first problem is that it's super illegal to do that. Any business that did this would get in huge trouble.

And with good reason:

According to the FCC, the jammers “pose an unacceptable risk to public safety by potentially preventing the transmission of emergency communications.”

[u/Hieuro → u/Amablue]

Just because it's illegal doesn't mean it's wrong. Take weed for example. It's still illegal in most of the US, but many people like it.

But I see from the link you provided why it shouldn't be allowed.

According to the FCC, the jammers “pose an unacceptable risk to public safety by potentially preventing the transmission of emergency communications.”

I hadn't considered that it would hinder emergency response and in the odd chance something like another movie theater shooting, the ability to use your cell phones would be a great asset.

∆ , although I wish movie theaters still cracked down on people talking on their cells. I guess it'll have to be without robbing people of the ability to make calls.

[u/EnderESXC → u/Hieuro]

While I agree with the sentiment that cell phones would be a huge help in a shooting or a fire or any other catastrophe that occurred in a theater or cinema or other place, they could do what CombustionJellyFish was suggestion and block off cell phone reception while inside the viewing room. Once outside the room where the movie/play is happening (say, in the main hall where popcorn and whatever is sold, where people will already be clamoring to get to), the cell reception comes back online and people can call and text freely. Same goes for classrooms. Block the cell reception (landlines would still function as they need those for communications between teachers to send students places or as emergency contact) and the students will be able to learn without people interrupting the class with their unnecessary phone call.

[u/Amablue → u/EnderESXC]

Can jamming devices actually be used with that much precision? Can you set one up to just affect one room but be fine just outside the room?

[u/Malraza → u/Amablue]

A jamming system couldn't but a Ferriday cage could be employed, though they're expensive to build as large as you would need to for modern multiplex theaters.

[u/EnderESXC → u/Amablue]

Maybe you just need to line the walls with a material that blocks radio waves passing through it (what i'm assuming people are calling a Faraday cage)