CRT, What's Your Theory?

[muchtooarrogant]

LJI Week 4: Uncanny Valley
Lately, I've been thinking about those old televisions with Cathode Ray Tubes. You know, the box shaped ones before screens got flat and everybody started hanging them on walls. In the U.S. at least, they stayed popular until around 2008 or so, presumably when the price of flat screens dropped low enough for people to think of them as a viable option.

Why, you may wonder, is a blind guy taking a trip down TV memory lane?

Funny thing about those old box sets, when they were powered on, they made a really high pitched noise that most people couldn't hear. I could, but no one else in my family or group of friends was able to, and most of them didn't even believe it was a real thing.

One day, I was in a department store with my sister, and happened to mention the noise.

"You're completely full of shit," she challenged. "Can you hear this noise of yours now?"

I smiled and nodded, having a pretty good idea of what she'd demand next.

"Well," she said, "I can't even see the TV section from where we are. If you have such super hearing, why don't you show me where they're at?"

I did.

At which point, she announced, "You're a freak!"

Freak or not, it was kind of fun to be able to do something no one else could do. Although, as far as super powers went, it was pretty useless. And, of course, it wasn't even a real super power, just rare.

The high-pitched sound that old box TVs make when they are turned on and while they are running is often referred to as TV "whine" or "coil whine." This sound is typically produced by the electrical components inside the TV, such as the flyback transformer or other components in the power supply circuitry.
Why do old box TVs make a high pitched sound when they turn on and while they are running?

The thing is, I've started hearing something like that high pitched whining sound again. At first I thought, "Oh crap! All those years of listening to loud music with headphones on has finally screwed up my hearing for good."

That's not it though. Most of the time my hearing's fine. I started noticing the sound when I was traveling out of town for business a couple of weeks ago. I was at the airport, and the gate agent had just scanned the boarding pass bar code from my phone.

"You're good to go, Mr. Brown," she told me. "Would you like to walk down with this pilot? He's part of the flight crew for your flight and just got here."

"Sure," I agreed, "that would be great."

So, I started walking down the jet way with the pilot making small talk, and that's when I noticed it. That high pitched whining sound I hadn't heard for years.

Okay, yes, it was a Southwest flight, and we all know now that they use antiquated technology, but CRT screens in the jet ways leading to their planes? Somehow I don't think so.

The next time I heard the noise was at my work meeting. This time it started when one of our senior vice presidents sat down next to me.

"Holy shit," I thought, "is the sound coming from people?"

It was confirmed later that day when the VP left, she had another customer meeting she had to attend in a different state. As soon as she got up and exited the room, the whining sound was gone.

Since then, I've had some time to consider all the possibilities, and think I might know what's going on. Ask yourself, other than crime and political bullshit, what's in the news every single day? AI! Initially, it wasn't any big deal, just stuff like AI generating computer code on demand. I mean, they ARE computer code, big whoop! Now though, they're faking voices of celebrities, creating images of events that never happened, and writing songs that are better than the ones sung by the original artist.

I'm telling you my friend, the time has come. They are walking among us!

Author's Note
Believe it or not, I really could hear the high pitched sound CRT TV's made when they were around. I even had an experience like the department store story I told here, but I was with one of my teachers instead, and although she didn't say I was completely full of shit, I sorta suspect she was thinking something close to it. At least, she was until I took her to the TV section.

Dan

Comments

[erulissedances]

I also have been able to hear the CRT sound, but not all CRT's. It was rather crazy. And then I managed to marry a man whose hearing is getting worse and worse every year. I can't win. I can hear a LOT of things, he can't even hear basic conversation around him. So unfair!

- Erulisse (one L)

[muchtooarrogant]

It definitely can be an elusive noise at times. Sorry to hear about your husband's challenges hearing, I've often thought that's a much more difficult disability to manage than vision loss, but they can both be tough.

Thank you so much for reading and commenting.

Dan

[chasing_silver]

I have always been able to hear the CRT sound too! I also can hear the sound old electric wires made ... it used to sound so loud to me!

[muchtooarrogant]

I know, I was always amazed when people told me they couldn't hear it because it usually sounded so loud to me.

Thanks for reading.

Dan

[adoptedwriter]

I remember hearing older TVs that sort of "hummed" when they were coming on. Was that the sound?

[muchtooarrogant]

Possibly, but it wasn't just when they turned on, but was audible the entire time they were running. I won't say I miss its absence, but it was definitely fun writing some speculative fiction based on my prior experience.

Thanks for reading.

Dan

[roina_arwen]

I love the way you turned this around at the end. Very cool!

[muchtooarrogant]

Very glad you enjoyed my twist into the uncanny valley. (grin) I didn't want to write the usual android story, and kind of came up with this on the spur of the moment.

Thanks so much for reading.

Dan

[rayaso]

What a great story - I loved it so much. I never heard the CRT sound, and now I'll have to pay more attention to the people around me. You never know.

[muchtooarrogant]

Ha, yes! They're very sneaky, so be careful!

Thank you, I'm very glad you enjoyed this.

Dan

[halfshellvenus]

I totally believe you could hear the CRT sound, because I've always been able to hear it!

What IS up with the people generating that sound? Maybe their ginormous Apple watches are leaking that noise or something?

[muchtooarrogant]

LOL Hmmm, Apple watches is an interesting theory, but my kiddo wears one, and there's no CRT sound from her (grin) Lots of other disturbing sounds, true enough, but she's 23, so you gotta kinda expect that.

Thank you so much for reading and leaving a fun comment.

Dan

[alycewilson]

You had me going! I thought this was nonfiction until the end. I almost told a story about meeting a politician once who didn't give off any emotional vibes at all. Just like a robot, I'd imagine.

[muchtooarrogant]

Thank you, I'm glad my story sounded realistic, until the end anyway. (grin) Yeah, your politician sounds like another good example of "not right!"

Thanks for reading and commenting.

Dan

[tamara_in_jakarta]

Loved this twist

[muchtooarrogant]

Thank you! Very glad you enjoyed the story.

Dan

[xeena]

I love the twist ending and honestly thought it was non fiction at first too, you have such a knack for engaging me from the first line. awesome!

[muchtooarrogant]

Thank you! Thinking about it, I guess all of my fiction stories this season have been kinda twisty. (grin) Eventually, I'm gonna have to start shooting straight with you guys, but I dunno when that'll happen. LOL

I'm glad the story caught you, and really appreciate your positive feedback.

Dan

[mollywheezy]

Very interesting! I don't know about CRT sound but my husband has freakishly good hearing. I once had to get rid of a clock because it was ticking too loudly . . . I couldn't hear it tick.

[muchtooarrogant]

Thank you! Ah, that's too bad, I love the ticking clock sound.

Dan

[static_abyss]

I am seated. I am intrigued. I will read 10000 pages of these new human/AI/robots.

[muchtooarrogant]

Thank you! Very glad you enjoyed the story.

Dan

[thephantomq]

I can also hear the high pitched sound of the CRT TVs. I believe you! That little high pitched whine was... well.

I'm glad we don't have CRT TVs anymore lolol.

But also damn -- that would be a hell of a way to figure out the people who were actually AI.

[muchtooarrogant]

Strangely enough, the sound didn't bother me.

Thanks for reading and commenting.

Dan

[n3m3sis43]

Funny thing about those old box sets, when they were powered on, they made a really high pitched noise that most people couldn't hear.

Omg, I never realized everyone couldn’t hear those! I too am one of the weirdos who can.

I really believed this was going to be a piece about your real life until it became clear the noise was coming from (alleged) people. Nicely done, this was an enjoyable read. :)

[muchtooarrogant]

Thank you! Yeah, it was fun blurring the line between fiction and nonfiction for this entry.

Dan

[murielle]

I didn't realize this was fiction until the pilot. I have heard of the TV sound before, can't remember where, but it feels so familiar.

Good story, Dan. And as always well written. 😊

[muchtooarrogant]

Thank you very much. So glad you enjoyed it.

Dan

[inkstainedfingertips]

I would imagine that has to be such a disconcerting thing. I really enjoyed your piece. I initially had such an ominous feeling as I read. It pulled me in right away. Very interesting read.

[muchtooarrogant]

Thank you, and I'm glad the story pulled you in.

Dan

[reidharriscooper]

AI humans are real though.
Keep your ears and attention ready and report as soon you know!

[banana_galaxy]

I believe it. I'm autistic, so I have sensitive hearing and can sometimes hear things other people can't hear, like electricity.

I enjoyed the theory reveal at the end. It would make sense for someone with sensitive hearing to be able to detect an AI like that!