BS: Music to move you along

Subject: Music to move you along
From: Rowana (at work)
Date: 23 Aug 01 - 09:14 AM

Recently public radio's Marketplace featured a segment on city shopkeepers using a new tool to move loiterers (homeless and teens) from their storefronts. Shopkeepers have fixed speakers to the building facades and are playing music selected to annoy loiterers. It's been successful in many parts of the US. In this particular city - I've forgotten where - it was determined that old timey country music (?) was most effective. Police are happy because it frees them to pursue more serious crimes. Shopkeepers know that this doesn't change loitering behavior; it simply moves it to another neighborhood.
I see a couple of issues here. Should music be used as a form of behavior modification/torture? How do you discourage loiterers without driving the staff mad and annoying potential shoppers? If each neighborhood shopping area starts broadcasting music, will the streets become a cacophony of noise polluting the air?
On the lighter side, what music would chase you away? An oom-pah band would do it for me.
Comments?

Subject: RE: BS: Music to move you along
From: KingBrilliant
Date: 23 Aug 01 - 09:30 AM

poppy disco girl-band boy-band stuff would drive me out.
That's the stuff they play inside the shops - do you reckon they're trying to get us to hurry up & make the purchase to get out quickly. Driving a quick turnaround. Can't trust these snakey psycho-control types can ya?

Kris

Subject: RE: BS: Music to move you along
From: iamjohnne
Date: 23 Aug 01 - 11:31 AM

Should music be used as a form of behavior modification/torture?

I think music has always been used to modify behavior. I was at a rock concert and the headlining act was late. Although the p.a. system was playing "their" music the crown was getting antsier and louder by the minute. Someone in the control room switched the music to some "elevator variety" and the mood of the crowd settled down in just a few minutes with no problems.

As to what kind of music would run me out......gotta be this dance/techno/contrived stuff they play now. It makes my skin crawl. Thanks for letting me woice my opinion......

Johnne "goin where the weather suits my clothes"

Subject: RE: BS: Music to move you along
From: Kim C
Date: 23 Aug 01 - 11:53 AM

Hmmmm.

I don't know that I have ever made a conscious decision to stay/leave, shop/not shop at an establishment because of what was on the speakers. Unconscious decisions, however, are another story entirely...

Subject: RE: BS: Music to move you along
From: Marymac90
Date: 23 Aug 01 - 12:43 PM

I know at the Philly Folk Fest, they play some of the most rousing music, like Queen Ida's Zydeco Band, on Sat. night, when the campers are staying, and they're gonna party all night anyway. Sunday nights they still run until 12, but the feature softer acts, in hopes that some folks will get bored and decide to leave early!!! Also, the softer music doesn't get people all stirred up.

Marymac

Subject: RE: BS: Music to move you along
From: Blackcatter
Date: 24 Aug 01 - 12:52 AM

Since I lead walking history tours of Downtown Orlando, FL I hear music being played out of many different shops and bars - they ALL Annoy me.

And the transients (isn't THAT an ironic word) just sit where they always have and most likely don't heard the music any more.

All it is, is just more noise pollution and it makes me have to talk louder and find those "quiet" places.

pax yall