I've decided to make Thursdays my "Question of the Week" day because I always have questions and am always interested in people's answers.
This Week's Question: Is it just me or does the Emergency Broadcast Message they play on t.v. creep you out too?
When I was a kid, I remembered they'd play that stupid message on daytime television. My mom wouldn't be anywhere near and I either go running out of the house or hide behind a couch and cover my ears.
Today, I'm an adult and the message still spooks me. I don't believe they have even changed the voice of the man who makes the announcement. However, I really wonder if there was an emergency would I be able to listen to the announcer.
It's bad enough he already sounds as though the end is near with his 15 second message, imagine what he'd sound like when reading a 5 minute announcement?
If I'm going to be scared because the world is about to end, I wish they'd get a more soothing voice to tell me.
32 comments:
It sounded creepy as a kid, and that just sticks with you. So now when you hear it, that feeling you had as a kid comes out. But I haven't heard that message in a long time.
They should get someone who sounds like Barry White to do it. Big, deep baritone, chocolate voiced smoothie.
"Heeeeeey baby. You might wanna duck and cover right about now. Ohhhh yeaaaaaah."
Even worse is the local weather/police alert. At least the old civil defense warnings were clear and didn't hook some rookie cop up to all the televisions going uh, uh, what is this button ..., uh, uh.
You can escape most such warnings - just move to satellite. Only local cable and direct broadcasters are required to carry the warnings per se.
one of the reasons i am glad we do not have TV...
I heard one when there was a real emergency either, yes they are scary anyway!
"Is it just me or does the Emergency Broadcast Message they play on t.v. creep you out too?"
In the old days, they had the answer. If an H-Bomb exploded neaby, all you had to do was get under your desk. Perfect safety.
YES!! I always feel like I stepped into a zombie movie or something. lol! I once heard a test emergency message on Z100 the radio station & I was like huh??? Okay so is there something I should be worried about that I'm missing??
I'm with Brian and his family, hubby and I do not have TV. Too many things to disturb our peaceful life, so we stopped it.
I hate that stupid buzzing thing! I used to ignore it completely because you become desensitized but apparently I've become paranoid because now I pay attention again.
That message is annoying because, yah, you think something bad is happening.
And the funny thing is...in a real emergency "they" will do everything in their power to keep people from panicking...so they probably won't play it in that voice when the time comes for the emergency.
The sound scares me. I love these posts and I love the comments too. I turned the TV off today because it was bothering me. I don't like it as much as I used to.
Hugs!!
P.S. Trying to find a cage for the new bunny becuase she keeps humping Zeke. It's weird.
That man terrifies me. Oddly, we've had real emergencies (tornadoes, hurricane evacuees, police standoffs, etc) and they've never used the emergency broadcast system. Is it reserved for A-bombs or something? I'm not exactly sure what the purpose is, except to send chills down my spine when that fax machine-y screech starts.
I always love to learn I'm not alone in these crazy phobias. Not that I' saying you're crazy, because that would be way too soon, this being my first comment and all...
Wow, I haven't heard that one in years either! I guess because of that, I'd freak out hearing it now. I didn't even know they still had that system, considering all of the other new technologies we communicate with.
I haven't heard that thing in years. Maybe my new TV is the mind-reading type that doesn't wish to channel items that disturb sensitive humans...
No wait, that can't be it - otherwise why doesn't it explode when I click past 'Jersey Shore'?!...
I go nuts when those come on the radio - it's like I can't find the 'holy, shit!! Change the channel right now!!" button fast enough.
Matty - I heard that message as I was on the computer last night -- that's what prompted this entry.
Veg Assassin - That'd be so cool or Morgan Freeman. Wait, his voice sometime puts me to sleep - not the thing for emergency situation.
Dan - okay that's funny about the local weather/police people. Good tip about satellite. I have local cable and that is probably why I hear them a lot.
Brian & Technobabe - WOW. I'm in awe and impressed.
Secretia - Really? Was it useful?
Berowne - I remember my older sisters telling me about these drills in school. I guess those desks were magical to stop a bomb.
Melanie - trapped in your car with that announcement is the worst. It gets you looking around the roadway and sky for any possible bombers.
blueviolet - I wish I could ignore, but it just freaks me out and sends shivers down my spine (I may have watched a tad too much Twilight Zone growing up)
Sunshine - I hope not. Personally, I think Vegetable Assassin is onto something.
Green-Eyed Momster - it's usually on at night. Sometimes it is just background noise, but have to admit, love total silence. Did you get a cage?
Jane - Wait, they don't use it? I bet it is for an A-Bomb or invasion from outer space.
Gucci Mama - Go ahead say it. Sometimes my husband gives me the greatest expression when I come up with these statements.
Erin P - They do and I wish it would go away.
Nanc Twop - Maybe you have satellite like Dan suggested (I guest satellite are not tortured by this).
kate - I do the same thing. I just want to know where they found the voice...
You asked me about yoga. I used to do hatha yoga years ago and then stopped and then about eight years ago went to classes and did relaxing yoga for a few years and then stopped and now am looking for a yoga tape to start again. I would have my time each morning before work and that hour was so beneficial. Will let you know when I am doing it regularly again. Are you into yoga?
Totally creepy. And for some reason, there was an Ice Capades commercial that ran when I was a kid that scared me too. I would hide behind the playroom couch and cover my ears.
Definitely creepy. I hate the screen they put on the TV too...even creepier, all those colored lines.
DB - I always wanted to go to an Ice Capades show, but it was probably your fear of the commercial that stopped our parents from taking me.
citygalwrites - I leave the wrong or change the channel quickly (if in the wrong) to see the lines. The lines would TOTALLY add to my insane fear.
i think i've always just gotten annoyed because the "emergency" is never really an emergency. they're just interrupting my show!
and yup! Breakfast at Tiffany's IS my favorite movie. it's so lovely - my go to film for when i'm feeling down. (ps. how wonderful that you remembered that!)
You know, come to think of it... we don't get this emergency message here in Europe. I think they must feel that ignorance is bliss!
Okay, do you really see Mom taking any of us to an Ice Capades show? Maybe Dad. Not Mom.
I wonder why the thing is even necessary to begin with? In a time of crisis, CNN would break the story before they got the emergency message out.
Ooh, never heard it! I want to now. I'm going to catch up on your blog/life right now...I hope all is well, lass. xx
I kinda like it. I usually go, 'we'll, this might be it. Might as well finish off that pint of Ben & Jerry's in the fridge."
LOL. I remember being scared of this when they would pop upon TV when I was a child. It always seems like there's going to be a catastrophic announcement.
it is a little weird:)
bwahaha You are so right - the beeping is annoying & I don't think the guy's voice has changed at all.
You've got to wonder if the powers that be would ever really send out an emergency message or if it just a ploy to make us feel more secure.
Geez, I've been hanging with my 'conspiracy theorist' BIL too much. lol
Hey girl, I'll go vote for you on the out-of-tune competition when I'm at my lunch break. Yes, I did got get the cafe book. One of my good friends is a manager at Barnes & Noble & I asked him about it. I bought 2!! I love that painting. Thank you for telling me about it. I got so many journals I should could have a whole self just for them. =)
Oh too thank you thank you for the comments the past few days. I really appreciated the gesture! *Hugs*
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