Psychology of Media & Technology

Jack White says banning phones will ensure a 100% human experience at his concerts.News flash--getting a momento of an experience IS 100% human experience.  But I get his concern--being on the receiving end of a bunch of waving cell phones probably makes you feel like you don't have the audience's complete attention (just like when your spouse can't put down his phone at dinner.)  But consider how different you would feel if your spouse said "this moment is so important to me that I want to capture it so I can relive it again and share it with my friends."  The ability to capture an event in image or video increases our commitment to the moment as well as our anticipation of future enjoyment.  It also encourages appreciation and allows us to savor the moment in perpetuity--hence the term in positive psychology of "savoring" as the act of appreciating.  This action is a commitment that capitalizes not only fanship, as Barasch says, but our positive emotions.  Preoccupation with what others will think of our capture, of course, diverts our finite cognitive resources.  The same would be true, however, if you spent the concert wondering who in the crowd was noticing you or admiring your outfit--something I guarantee that many teens also do given the hyper-aware social tentacles of youth.  I suggest that rather than banning phones, artists acknowledge this as a compliment but also TALK to the audience about how it feels.  But artists beware: the greater the artist's fame, the larger the venue and the more financial commitment to attending the event, the less likely the audience will want to comply.  The moment matters to much to the fan to forego the opportunity to capture their bit of bliss.