Human Microphone - Serious PR issue

[Nicefishmartin]

If you go to this video :

youtube.com/watch?v=3QZlp3eGMNI

and read the comments you will see that the human microphone is a HORRIBLE idea. It makes us look like we are only miming what the leader says and have no thoughts of our own. There are other solutions to making sure everyone can hear without resorting to what the public will see as creepy chanting. So PLEASE let's not make ourselves look like drones to the public and just get a louder megaphone.

[jdrtimm]

I agree. I even feel somewhat uncomfortable just parroting what a speaker is saying. 

 

My understanding is that the People's Mic is necessary in places like New York, where they are not legally permitted to use megaphones (no noise permit). 

 

Does anyone know the legal limits on our megaphone use? If there aren't any, why do we use the people's mic? I agree that it seems strange to onlookers and, worse, it significantly slows down meetings. 

[skeptical]

I'm going to be coming down either today or tomorrow, and I just want to make sure that I dont HAVE to use it when I speak.

I can talk loud, AND I refuse to speak like someone reading "See Spot Run" to a group of kindergarteners.

Takes too damn long anyway.

[ufiti]

CHICAGO NOISE ORDINANCE:

 

Part B. Limitations on Noise from Specific Sources.


11-4-2800 Music and amplified sound.


(a) No person on the public way shall employ any device or instrument that creates or amplifies sound, including but not limited to any loudspeaker, bullhorn, amplifier, public address system, musical instrument, radio or device that plays recorded music, to generate any sound, for the purpose of communication or entertainment, that is louder than average conversational level at a distance of 100 feet or more, measured vertically or horizontally, from the source.

(b) Between the hours of 10:00 p.m. and 8:00 a.m., no person on any private open space shall employ any device or instrument that creates or amplifies sound, including but not limited to any loudspeaker, bullhorn, amplifier, public address system, musical instrument, radio or device that plays recorded music, to generate any sound, for the purpose of communication or entertainment, that is louder than average conversational level at a distance of 100 feet or more from the property line of the property from which the noise is being generated.


(c) The limitations imposed in this section do not apply to a person participating in a parade, athletic event, public assembly, or outdoor special event, as defined in section 10-8-330 or 10-8-335 of this Code; provided that a permit

[ufiti]

Apparently you wouldn't have to worry at all if you had a permit. But basically it looks like we can't amplify "louder than average conversational level at a distance of 100 feet or more, measured vertically or horizontally, from the source." But I'd say we try as loud as we need until someone directs us that we are too loud. 

[jdrtimm]

Thank you! It is so helpful to be aware of that ordinance.

I agree with you, though, that it would be reasonable to rely on the megaphone, not the people's mic, until the latter becomes necessary. It would speed things up and allow people who aren't used to it to speak more naturally. Given that we are already using the megaphone with police watching us, and that we are in an open, public space that is far from most residential areas, we may be able to do this without CPD objection. 

[MrWrathOfGod]

Depending on the cost, I would be willing to donate to purchase a better PA system. So far we have had no issues with police silencing us and highly doubt any arrests would be made before multiple warnings to stop using it. Furthermore I feel that a video of the police attempting to "silence our movement" could be an asset in media manipulation. They do it and so can we. I think a better PA would be great. And if they give us shit about it we can bring them in front of Old Navy on State St and demand they give tickets to the preacher that tells everyone they are going to hell for whatever it is they do. Two birds, one stone.

But in all honesty, my plan was to spend some cash on food. I see daily that food and water are not issues. I would rather drop some money on a better PA to speed up GA and get our message across. We need to be more efficient. And the whole human mic thing is a huge turn off to new people. Look at new people when they first show up. It is a mix of confusion and awkward laughter. We NEED TO BE TAKEN SERIOUSLY.

[rickmastroianni]

If we want to be taken seriously at all, we need to stop using the people's mic. I understand its purpose, but it is unnecessary at this time. Not only is it uncomfortable, but it is inconvenient as well. 

 

When people of the middle class or upper class are walking by and want to see what we're all about, first impression is everything. We seriously do sound completely drone-like, brainwashed, and unorganized. That's not what we represent at all, so why continue it?

 

I have been to many GAs and seen countless businessmen and women who are with us for a bit and then the monotonous drone voices become way too much for them and they leave – and I never see them again. It really does make us sound silly. We are not NYC yet – we don't need that because we can easily hear each other.

 

Just being at the GAs I have also noticed that the people's mic separates a lot of the older individuals from the young ones. A lot of our younger crowd really enjoy it and the people over 35 have their mouths closed because they find it pointless. I have also been around people who are completely with us up until the point we are repeating everything back to one another… Or people off the streets that have said "I'd love to support you, but I heard ya'll repeating everything and it is just creepy."

 

It is.

 

We cannot alienate ourselves. We need to make the best PR decisions, especially in this fragile stage of the movement. Tomorrow I want to bring this to a vote.

[skeptical]

I am one of those older people who find it creepy.

Unfortunately, I can't see the vote passing with the 9/10th voting policy.

[Ella Mae]

I'm older, and I kinda like it!  I admit at first it seemed a little silly, but it seems to help create a sense of unity.  And as I read in an article somewhere, it promotes really listening to what a person is saying. This is an important skill and essential to communication.