Does the TV Clicker Strengthen Magical Thinking?

[Gawdzilla Sama]

Hmm actually that's a good question. If the child asks "how does this work?" keep it, If it makes up a magical explanation, sell it's organs.

Ummmm, stem cells.

[rasetsu]

We had one of the first remote control models. It was a Zenith console, and the remote worked by having a spring loaded hammer strike a tuning bar, with a different note for its four functions, and the sound would trigger the receiver in the TV. Being sound based, we quickly learned to imitate it, and by giving a high pitched hiss, you could duplicate the function of the remote. Probably the first voice activated entertainment center to exist.

[amused]

We had one of the first remote control models. It was a Zenith console, and the remote worked by having a spring loaded hammer strike a tuning bar, with a different note for its four functions, and the sound would trigger the receiver in the TV. Being sound based, we quickly learned to imitate it, and by giving a high pitched hiss, you could duplicate the function of the remote. Probably the first voice activated entertainment center to exist.

I did not know this.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zenith_Ele ... te_control

[rasetsu]

We had one of the first remote control models. It was a Zenith console, and the remote worked by having a spring loaded hammer strike a tuning bar, with a different note for its four functions, and the sound would trigger the receiver in the TV. Being sound based, we quickly learned to imitate it, and by giving a high pitched hiss, you could duplicate the function of the remote. Probably the first voice activated entertainment center to exist.

I did not know this.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zenith_Ele ... te_control

NIGHTMARES! NIGHTMARES! NIGHTMARES!

[amused]

That's really an ingenious device for being pre-digital. Notice that they got dual use out of two of the buttons by having an alternate function after the Mute button had been hammered.

And....

SPACE COMMANDER

[Xamonas Chegwé]

If you have a kid that sees anything magical in the powahz of a TV remote, take out the fucking batteries!

Problem? What problem?

[JimC]

Depends what you mean by "grasp on reality". If you mean their conception of their place in the world and how their actions have consequences - I'd say it strengthens it, as does any interactive experience. If you mean their conception of how the world works and their ability to separate magical thinking from technology or scientific thinking, then perhaps it weakens it a bit, until you explain how it works.

I would just say 'infrared' and if the kid didn't ask another question about that I would give it a kick.

[Horwood Beer-Master]

"Anything that is in the world when you're born is normal and ordinary and is just a natural part of the way the world works.

Anything that's invented between when you're fifteen and thirty-five is new and exciting and revolutionary and you can probably get a career in it.

Anything invented after you're thirty-five is against the natural order of things." - Douglas Adams.

[Pappa]

Do magnets strengthen magical thinking? Or batteries? Or spreadable butter?

[cronus]

Magnets? How do they work?

[Gawdzilla Sama]

If you have a kid that sees anything magical in the powahz of a TV remote, take out the fucking batteries!

Problem? What problem?

"You have to have faith for it to work. No, more than that. What? Still not working? You obviously don't have enough faith then."

[Mysturji]

Magnets? How do they work?

I started a thread at RDF called "What is magnetism?"
Nobody could answer the question, except to say that it has something to do with photons, relativity and looking at things with your head tilted to the side.

[rasetsu]

You know, everybody knows gravity works, but nobody knows how or why.

Does falling down increase magical thinking?

[Jason]

I'm more concerned that everyone here seems to accept that thinking is magical.

[rasetsu]

I'm more concerned that everyone here seems to accept that thinking is magical.

But... but... but... Friendship is magic! And is not friendship thoughtful?