Across Quote by Seth Shostak
“Lamentably, alien audiences may be frustrated by the switch to digital television. That's because the transmitter power for DTV is fairly evenly spread across the spectrum. The spikiness is gone, and from afar, the attention-grabbing squeals of analog television's carriers have been replaced by DTV's smooth, low hiss.”
About This Quote
Source Speech: Public talk on digital TV transition, 2010
Digital TV spreads power evenly, removing the sharp, attention‑grabbing sounds of analog, leading to a smoother but less engaging listening experience for alien audiences.
In simple terms: Digital TV is smoother, less noisy, but less exciting.
Key Takeaway
Consider how signal design affects listener engagement.
Themes
technology
communication
media
perception
Mood
analytical
reflective
Type
informative
technical
When to use this quote
- broadcast engineering
- alien communication studies
- media design
- public outreach
Key Concepts
signal processing
auditory perception
media transition
Questions to Reflect On
- How does the loss of distinctive audio cues affect audience engagement?
- What design changes could retain attention without reintroducing noise?
A Different Perspective
Listeners may miss the distinctive cues that help them tune in and stay attentive.
