Next episode playing in 15 seconds, 14, 13, 12... How many times have we seen these fateful words and done nothing more than wait till Netflix' prophecy is fulfilled? Then, three hours later, there comes the inevitable panic attack over your essay or homework assignment due by midnight that you haven't even touched. Let's be honest, it's happened to all of us.
Just three days ago an article was written whose title sums it all up "People Watch Netflix For More Time Per Day Than They Spend Eating Or Having Sex Combined". They studies show that while people spend on average watching Netflix for 90 minutes a day, we only dedicate a mere 70 minutes to eating. I myself have fallen into the Netflix trap on countless occasions and have felt the anxiety that comes from ignoring other important obligations with school and work. So the question must be asked: How does Netflix capture so many of us so often for so long? Why is Netflix so persuasive?
While eating, religious obligations, and school are important to all of us, Netflix is often seen as a chance to unwind, take a step away from all the craziness of life, and simply be entertained. People turn on Netflix to get away from reality, a similar reason people are so obsessed with social media as Alisa mentioned. In short, we watch Netflix because we want to. The easiest form of persuasion is when someone wants to be persuaded, someone wants to do the thing you are attempting to coerce them in. The fact that Netflix starts the next episode in 15 second helps keep us on for the full 90 minutes per day, but we are the ones who first turn on the app and grab a bowl of popcorn.
I agree with you, Michael. I myself have fallen into a trap of Netflix, and found it pretty hard to step away, especially during the summer when I had a lot of time. The media has a huge impact on us, and can persuade us to watch three house of a show instead of doing something more productive. I heard a saying somewhere that we need to get all of our priority work done before we move on to entertainment, or else we will have that nagging feeling during the time of entertainment, thinking that we need to get that priority done.
ReplyDeleteNetflix is a weakness... and an addiction... and the perfect escape for someone with no plans... but if used wisely, it can be a wonderful gift. I love watching Joseph Smith: prophet of the restoration or, the prince of egypt on a Sunday afternoon. Netflix, like chips, soda or anything that we can become easily addicted to must be taken in healthy moderation...
ReplyDeleteI really enjoyed your post. It took a sharp turn as you shifted from Netflix bingeing to wanting to be persuaded but still had a very connected and understandable flow. I think your content is a very modern application of both audience and kairos. It will always be easy to persuade people if they already agree with you. Even Netflix, an app, can do it.
ReplyDeleteDo you think that extending or shortening the time period between shows would affect the level of enticement to stay on the app and continue to watch?
ReplyDeleteI definitely do think it would. If there wasn't a timer, I believe the amount of time watching would be cut. Maybe not super drastically, but perhaps by a little.
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