Background Noise

I think that Vermont weather is crazy. I also think that I have watched more college basketball this season than I ever have previously. The main reason for this is that doing homework becomes much more enjoyable when there is a basketball game on in the background. Many people say that multitasking doesn't work, but I haven't had a problem with it yet. Honestly, I don't really multitask because if I am doing my work, the TV might be on, but I am not paying attention to it. I use the game on TV in between working for a break, but it is otherwise just there. I know that even noise throws some people off, but I am lucky that I am not one of them. I would rather work in the Davis Center rather than the library at UVM. I think that maybe I have to work harder when there is noise to focus so I end up paying even better attention to the material because if I didn't I would lose all focus. Whatever the reason, I like having some noise around, and I think I do better because of it. If it is hurting me, well, I guess we will never know that anyway because I don't think that I will be changing it.

Photo by William Hook on Flickr

The Day the Music Died

It must be just Don MacLean said, yesterday was the day the music died. No, I realize that Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens, and The Big Bopper did not die yesterday. The death of the music I am referring to is the first time in six years that American Idol has not led the prime time TV ratings. What was the reason for this you might ask? Well, the Olympics almost doubled Idol with 30.1 million fans as opposed to 18.4 million music fans according to NBC Sports. Of course, they must realize that last night featured all the stories that the Vancouver Winter Olympics have been built upon. First, Apollo Anton Ohno continued his trek as the elder statesman of American short track speed skating. Then, Lindsey Vonn who quickly became the inspirational story of the Olympics by battling an injury arrived at prime time to a gold medal victory. Finally, the ultimate showman and arguably most popular American athlete of the Olympic Games, Shaun White, dropped into the half pipe and utterly demolished the competition while throwing down his newest invention, a double McTwist. Honestly, with all of these already established stars on one night, how could Idol expect to compete when all they feature are wannabe stars? Everyone has to realize that this was by no means coincidental; NBC knew the only way they could compete with Fox's megahit was by loading the lineup. As the article I previously cited on NBC Sports stated, "It's a business, folks, and the goal is to maximize ratings points not during the Dr. Oz and Judge Judy portion of the television calendar but when the majority of Americans are in their homes and watching their televisions." Think about it, why is curling on all afternoon? As I explained in an earlier post, curling does not bother me. However, I do realize that by and large it is among the least popular sports in the Winter Olympics. Also, think about the money that NBC raises while selling advertising for this time period. Buying an advertisement for 30.1 million people to see will not come cheap; therefore, NBC could charge a premium price for the limited spots. Anyway, it's good to see sports returned to their rightful place on top of ratings. I don't understand how reality TV has managed to stay on top of sports for this long...