This article from The Onion was actually quite amusing. However, even if it had not been included in this satire study of ours, it would have been very obvious that it was not for real. The concept of having a remote control to control a second remote control sounds completely crazy and impractical and far from logical. But doesn’t it also sound like something that could totally happen one of these days. I mean, with all of the new technology and everything hitting the markets today, we wouldn’t be at all surprised to see “a great remote for controlling all of your other hard-to-reach-from-the-couch remote controls!” advertised in stores.
I think that the satire in this article is about how Americans can sometimes be attached to their TVs, and stuck in their couches. It is scary to see how some people would be bothered by “an annoying task [of locating a remote] that can sometimes result in missed programming and, in some cases, serious waste of valuable television-viewing time,” because people actually think this way. I know that I myself can get angry or upset over missing an “important” television program. This is not the only problem with the way that people think today.
Should the second remote end up under a magazine or newspaper, the third remote will still be capable of controlling the second remote, enabling the second remote to change channels on the first one, and ultimately the television itself, with just the touch of a button . . . To ensure that the third remote is not lost as well, it will come with a handy adhesive pad affixing it to the owner’s forehead at all times. Or, in the case of more expensive models, it be implanted directly within the sinus passages of the user.
Although this is highly amusing, it is very true and frightening. Many people would push aside magazines and newspapers, which if read would enrich their minds, in order to grab that remote and watch TV. The point of this “remote controlled remote control” would be to allow the user to make minimal movements while watching television. The remote control itself allows watchers to move less, let alone prevent people from ever having to move for hours at a time. Obesity is a growing problem in America, and this shows that it is becoming easier and easier for people to remain occupied while making minimal physical movement. To go back to an original definition of satire, it humorously exposes a severe social issue, which is exactly what this piece from The Onion does.
Addition ! - Jan. 7, 2007 5:45pm
What I said about obesity and how sitting in front of the television is a severe problem was true. In fact, “sitting kills more than 300,000 Americans a year” according to this article.
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