Clapping banned at British University

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Zandit75
Posts: 82
Joined: Apr 30, 2018

by Zandit75 »

Ok, I get that performing can be stressful, but receiving an applause at the end of your performance should not be a trigger for anxiety.

Check out the article below and let me know your thoughts. Admittedly, the article is not aimed at just the performers, but also people in the audience who have issues with loud noises. Interesting issue, and there is precedent where some cultures don't clap for anything.

<LINK_TEXT text="https://nypost.com/2018/10/03/universit ... s-instead/">https://nypost.com/2018/10/03/university-bans-clapping-suggests-students-use-jazz-hands-instead/</LINK_TEXT>
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AndrewMeronek
Posts: 1487
Joined: Mar 30, 2018

by AndrewMeronek »

If clapping is an issue for some people sensitive to loud noises, what about the performances themselves?

There may be a difference, but I'm skeptical.
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robcat2075
Posts: 1867
Joined: Sep 03, 2018

by robcat2075 »

Nope, it's not April 1.

I predict a short life for that initiative. How would they even enforce that?

On the other hand, string players have been air-tapping their bows instead of applauding for years.
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mrpillow
Posts: 89
Joined: Mar 23, 2018

by mrpillow »

It is unclear if the initiative even affects any concerts or musical performances, as it seems to apply to student union meetings and mentions that
"Instead of clapping, students attending <I>panels, debates and talks</I> will need to express their appreciation with the sign language equivalent — a silent wave of the hand."
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norbie2018
Posts: 1051
Joined: Apr 05, 2018

by norbie2018 »

It could also be fake news. But the more I think of it and how preposterous it sounds the more I believe it's real.
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harrisonreed
Posts: 6479
Joined: Aug 17, 2018

by harrisonreed »

This seems OK to me. We made buildings all handicapped accessible so that people who wanted to contribute to and participate in existing society but physically weren't able to could do so. This was a big deal, because most people just want to be normal and fit in, and I'm glad it's something we all take for granted today.

Changing widely held societal norms to accommodate people who could otherwise participate in society but are triggered by it seems perfectly acceptable. If you think of the cost of altering all the buildings in the past, just changing societal norms and society itself instead is a drop in the bucket!
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robcat2075
Posts: 1867
Joined: Sep 03, 2018

by robcat2075 »

I think what they are really trying to do is make a show of approval for one side in a debate less obvious.

If that's the goal they should just have a no-audience-response rule and take a vote at the end.