As the Recording Industry Association of America continues its sacred quest to prevent consumers with access to technology from doing anything that even hints of media piracy (apparently by hiring unlicensed investigators to help), it looks like media companies are employing older technologies to try to stop viewers from even thinking about copying their TV programs.
Last night, my husband and I were watching a time-delayed version of Eureka, a reasonably entertaining comedy/drama on the Sci Fi channel. We were about to delete the program from the DVR when I noticed that some kind of image with very large type had flashed briefly at the end of the closing credits.
We took the recording back a minute or so and played the credits back very slowly, a couple of seconds at a time. Sure enough, in large white letters on a dark screen, a message read: "Watching us is hilarious. But copying us is dangerous. Don't do it." It had lasted under a second.
So the Sci Fi channel is now using subliminal messaging to try to discourage its viewers from copying (and, presumably, distributing) its programming.
Part of me -- the part that's a confirmed science fiction reader -- immediately flashed to an imaginary scenario in which thousands of Eureka watchers, programmed by hidden subliminal messages, mindlessly howl with laughter during the program, and then throw their DVD recorders out the window, chanting, "Copying is dangerous. Don't do it." While Sci Fi channel executives sit in plush uptown offices stroking their mustaches and cackling with evil glee.
The other part of me is wondering whether there is any point at which media companies and the RIAA will realize that playing these games only serve to further alienate their customer base -- and won't do a whole lot to prevent piracy. Except, perhaps, make us laugh.
Last night, my husband and I were watching a time-delayed version of Eureka, a reasonably entertaining comedy/drama on the Sci Fi channel. We were about to delete the program from the DVR when I noticed that some kind of image with very large type had flashed briefly at the end of the closing credits.
We took the recording back a minute or so and played the credits back very slowly, a couple of seconds at a time. Sure enough, in large white letters on a dark screen, a message read: "Watching us is hilarious. But copying us is dangerous. Don't do it." It had lasted under a second.
So the Sci Fi channel is now using subliminal messaging to try to discourage its viewers from copying (and, presumably, distributing) its programming.
Part of me -- the part that's a confirmed science fiction reader -- immediately flashed to an imaginary scenario in which thousands of Eureka watchers, programmed by hidden subliminal messages, mindlessly howl with laughter during the program, and then throw their DVD recorders out the window, chanting, "Copying is dangerous. Don't do it." While Sci Fi channel executives sit in plush uptown offices stroking their mustaches and cackling with evil glee.
The other part of me is wondering whether there is any point at which media companies and the RIAA will realize that playing these games only serve to further alienate their customer base -- and won't do a whole lot to prevent piracy. Except, perhaps, make us laugh.
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