How come you press harder on a remote control when you know the battery is dead?
@mario_stevens (6971)
Malaysia
June 15, 2010 2:18pm CST
it's a weird & funny thing. we all do it. if you have a tv with a remote, you would have done the same at some point..
and it's even funnier to find out that so many people out there, like to roll or jiggle their batteries around a bit in hopes that there's a bit more juice to change that channel on tv.
and sometimes you even know that the batteries have been dead for more than a couple of days..but you still try and press that button harder to try and turn on your tv 
it's a weird phenomenon that's quite common amongst my friends...and no one knows why they do it.
i strongly feel that tv remotes should have little charger consoles..then we wouldn't look so funny shaking the remote control around trying to squeeze out that last bit of juice from the batteries..
but back to the question at hand, how come you press harder on a remote control when you already know the battery is dead? 
and it's even funnier to find out that so many people out there, like to roll or jiggle their batteries around a bit in hopes that there's a bit more juice to change that channel on tv.
and sometimes you even know that the batteries have been dead for more than a couple of days..but you still try and press that button harder to try and turn on your tv
it's a weird phenomenon that's quite common amongst my friends...and no one knows why they do it.
i strongly feel that tv remotes should have little charger consoles..then we wouldn't look so funny shaking the remote control around trying to squeeze out that last bit of juice from the batteries..
but back to the question at hand, how come you press harder on a remote control when you already know the battery is dead? 5 people like this
31 responses
@mario_stevens (6971)
• Malaysia
16 Jun 10
that's why i need a smart person to teach me things...do you know any?
@kodukodu84 (1569)
• Malaysia
15 Jun 10
Well I never had an intention to do that unless when I really really have ran out of new batteries. The stupid thing but does work sometimes for me is, after pressing harder on a remote control but not working anymore, I will take the batteries out, get a small hammer and knock knock them a bit in the middle. After giving them a soft knock, I will lick the top of the batteries to feel if it has gone colder. If it is, then I will put them back into the remote control, and use it again, it does work hehe....but only for one more last round :( huhuhu
@mario_stevens (6971)
• Malaysia
15 Jun 10
that has got to be one of the most bestest home-made remedies for making the batteries work for one last time... 
@kodukodu84 (1569)
• Malaysia
15 Jun 10
@Meluan, I hope you didn't think I licked the hammer...ooooppsss! Ok let's put it like this. you know that "nipple" on top of the battery? hahahahahahaha....that was the one I licked heheheheheh
@mario_stevens (6971)
• Malaysia
5 Jul 10
depends on who's the remote control owner..
the remote controls i own usually work with a nice, soft and gentle touch... maybe it's because i'm nice, soft and gentle too hehe..
the remote controls i own usually work with a nice, soft and gentle touch... maybe it's because i'm nice, soft and gentle too hehe..@mario_stevens (6971)
• Malaysia
6 Jul 10
now that would be a bit tricky....i really don't know how to post a 'soft touch' here in myLot..
@Janey1966 (24170)
• Carlisle, England
16 Jun 10
This may be a bloke thing. 
My husband has had his Sky Digital remote control for as long as I (or he) can remember and he's only changed the batteries once! I, too, have to press buttons very hard for anything to happen but he just carries on normally, as though batteries SHOULD last years and years and all you have to do is to swap them round for another year's use.
My Mum, however, has Sky+ and she can't be doing with her batteries going in her remote SO GETS THEM CHANGED!
I wouldn't mind but two Duracells are only a pound in, er POUNDLAND!
Haha!
My husband has had his Sky Digital remote control for as long as I (or he) can remember and he's only changed the batteries once! I, too, have to press buttons very hard for anything to happen but he just carries on normally, as though batteries SHOULD last years and years and all you have to do is to swap them round for another year's use.
My Mum, however, has Sky+ and she can't be doing with her batteries going in her remote SO GETS THEM CHANGED!
I wouldn't mind but two Duracells are only a pound in, er POUNDLAND!
Haha!@Janey1966 (24170)
• Carlisle, England
17 Jun 10
Either that or you're too tight to buy new batteries. Only joking. Or am I?
Haha!
@mario_stevens (6971)
• Malaysia
17 Jun 10
LOL @ POUNDLAND
hehe... definitely sounds like a bloke thing in your situation we need that feeling of confidence, it's something that we men can't explain...it's just that we try to come out on top in any battle we face, regardless of how big or small....even if it's with the remote control's batteries
hehe... definitely sounds like a bloke thing in your situation we need that feeling of confidence, it's something that we men can't explain...it's just that we try to come out on top in any battle we face, regardless of how big or small....even if it's with the remote control's batteries 
@mario_stevens (6971)
• Malaysia
15 Jun 10
the more presses, the higher the power meter goes.. like a playstation game or something
like a playstation game or something @mario_stevens (6971)
• Malaysia
15 Jun 10
haha...gotcha! hehe..
it would be much better if the tv makers can just invent 'kinetic self rechargeable' remote controls for people like us.. then at least all that pressing can generate some sort of energy
it would be much better if the tv makers can just invent 'kinetic self rechargeable' remote controls for people like us.. then at least all that pressing can generate some sort of energy @sophiaraine (1113)
• Philippines
15 Jun 10
I'm kind of a little guilty about this one mario. Lol. Maybe it's just the fact that I'm just lazy to go out to buy some new batteries for it. 
@sophiaraine (1113)
• Philippines
15 Jun 10
That's so nice of you. Well then I guess, I can let you get to the front of the line faster. 
Well then I guess, I can let you get to the front of the line faster. 
@mario_stevens (6971)
• Malaysia
15 Jun 10
just let me know the next time you need batteries dear...that line i'm standing in passes by a shop selling some. i can get you some fresh batteries and pass it to you when i get to the front of the line 
@skysuccess (8858)
• Singapore
15 Jun 10
mario_stevens,
I suppose this is what "giving the benefit of doubt" or "trusting" is all about even if it is just a mere dumb remote control who could not speak and say what's wrong with it.
I am sure there will be a day when these makers will add a power indicator for this device and till then, we'll just have a good laugh and humor for the time being.
Cheers to life's humor.
I am sure there will be a day when these makers will add a power indicator for this device and till then, we'll just have a good laugh and humor for the time being.
Cheers to life's humor.@skysuccess (8858)
• Singapore
16 Jun 10
mario_stevens,
This might sound a little far fetch but it might just happen in the future - solar power panels like the ones we have with our calculators.
Or how about some kinetic battery cells?
I bet the latter will even be more hilarious when we try to shake the living daylights out of the remote control!!
@mario_stevens (6971)
• Malaysia
16 Jun 10
hmm...a power indicator would surely be so helpful in avoiding that unnecessary stressful nights when the remote control suddenly feels like not working anymore..
@mario_stevens (6971)
• Malaysia
16 Jun 10
haha...the Simpsons might make an episode about Homer and the remote control then..
@zed_k4 (17589)
• Singapore
16 Jun 10
Wuahuahauhau...it's a weird phenomenon, alright, and I'm guilty as charged, as far as pressing harder on the remote control goes. Knowing that the battery is going to wilt soon, I still press harder and harder and then when it doesn't cooperate, I become mildly agitated. LOL!! Typical watching TV scenario that I encounter like a 1001 times. Hahaaaaaa..
Just wondering: Where is Hex??
@mario_stevens (6971)
• Malaysia
16 Jun 10
maybe he's busy jiggling his remote control too...
haha...another hard-presser here.. we've got shakers, jigglers, wigglers, and knockers in this group too!
and i was using those terms in relation to what we do to the remote my friend..what were you thinking? hahaha...
haha...another hard-presser here.. we've got shakers, jigglers, wigglers, and knockers in this group too!
and i was using those terms in relation to what we do to the remote my friend..what were you thinking? hahaha...1 person likes this
@cream97 (29087)
• United States
15 Jun 10
Hi, mario_stevens. I press on it just to see if the remote control can possibly come back on. And I fumble and rattle the batteries in hope that it will power up the remote control's power. I try to keep extra batteries at home. Sometimes, I am left without it.
@mario_stevens (6971)
• Malaysia
16 Jun 10
my batteries never get lost....i'm sure it's still somewhere in the house
@mario_stevens (6971)
• Malaysia
15 Jun 10
one last hope of a little bit more energy left to change that channel?
i went through 3 remotes for the same tv because i rattled the previous ones a bit too much.. i was sincerely hoping i could transfer some of my kinetic energy to it
and i hate it that when i buy the batteries, i can't find where i kept them..then i go back to pressing the buttons harder and harder..
i went through 3 remotes for the same tv because i rattled the previous ones a bit too much.. i was sincerely hoping i could transfer some of my kinetic energy to it
and i hate it that when i buy the batteries, i can't find where i kept them..then i go back to pressing the buttons harder and harder..
@Opal26 (17679)
• United States
16 Jun 10
Hi there my dear friend and partner in crime~ Am once again late
for all the funtivities! You didn't send me a "special message"
to respond earlier now so all the "great responses" have been
used, taken, spoken, repeated, well you get my drift~ Anyway,
I am part of the shaky, pressy, push harder on the button,
turn the batteries, repeat again "club"! I am also too lazy
to get up, look for where the hell I put the batteries this
time, open the back of the remote, remove batteries, put in
new ones, close case, pray I did right and the first watch
tv PEOPLE! I am exhausted even thinking about and now I have
this terrible feeling that my Remote is going to die just to
taunt me and if it does guess who I will come looking for?
@mario_stevens (6971)
• Malaysia
16 Jun 10
hmmm...let me guess who to go look for..
the Ghostbusters?
haha..sorry, i simply couldn't resist that corny line
so you're part of the shaky, wiggly, pressy, jiggly, roll-the-batteries-around-a-bit, knock-it-a-bit crowd are ya? from the looks of it, we should have enough here to start our own special interest group...hehe
haha..sorry, i simply couldn't resist that corny line
so you're part of the shaky, wiggly, pressy, jiggly, roll-the-batteries-around-a-bit, knock-it-a-bit crowd are ya? from the looks of it, we should have enough here to start our own special interest group...hehe@mario_stevens (6971)
• Malaysia
16 Jun 10
hmm...if we can call it the shakers & wigglers...that might sound interesting
...that might sound interesting @sender621 (14894)
• United States
16 Jun 10
We know that the remote control can't help us anymore,. No nqatteries in the house is the next dilemma. We keep pushing on the remote anyway. Maybe we can squeeze just a little bit more life out of it. We can only hope or make a battery run.
@mario_stevens (6971)
• Malaysia
16 Jun 10
trying to squeeze out that last bit of juice from the battery i am so guilty of doing that too!
i am so guilty of doing that too! @mario_stevens (6971)
• Malaysia
17 Jun 10
you're supposed to squeeze the remote, then the orange will work...
@rosie230 (1696)
•
15 Jun 10
lol... love it... yes I have done the exact same thing, and I think you are right we are all guilty of it, and stupid must we look!!!
I am actually terrible at this... normally it is caused by the fact that I just know I don't have any batteries around that could replace them, without rushing up the store to grab some, but generally these things go at night!
I actually press harder on the buttons, press the back in hard, where the batteries are enclosed, I take the case of wiggle them around, and even take them out and swap them around, I have no clue why, I mean really it is ridiculous isn't it, I mean the dam thing has run out of battery power, so why the hell do I think that just by wiggling them and swapping them around would it possibly make any difference??? Truth is I just don't know, I guess my best answer would have to be habit lol
@mario_stevens (6971)
• Malaysia
15 Jun 10
that's a good way of explaining it!
i'm sure that by now you'd have figured out the maximum wiggles your remote control can take hehe...@mario_stevens (6971)
• Malaysia
15 Jun 10
normal human beings like us need a long time to learn about things like this...i think that's how the term 'lifelong learning' was coined
and when we've mastered it, we can call ourselves Wiggle Masters
and when we've mastered it, we can call ourselves Wiggle Masters 
@kedralynn (980)
• United States
15 Jun 10
I don't know. It's just one of the many weird pointless things I do. You think the harder you push, the better your chances of it working. When I'm playing a racing car video game... I tend to press the acceleration button as hard as I possibly can, somehow thinking that the harder I push it, the faster the car will go. But it's not true. There're just silly things I do not really thinking about it.
However I like my tv remote to work because it's horrible to be stuck watching a show you can't stand and you can't change the channel! So I usually get tired of fighting with the controller and I'll replace the batteries after a day or two.
@kedralynn (980)
• United States
16 Jun 10
Haha yeah you may want to get some new batteries for the clock. I like to keep a few extra batteries around the house for days like that because I hate having to search around the house for batteries that I can steal from other items.
@mario_stevens (6971)
• Malaysia
16 Jun 10
and it's even worst when you try and press the remote as hard as you can to try and change it to something, and get stuck on a channel that isn't even in a language you understand!
i was stuck on a channel like that for a couple of days until i stole the batteries from my wall clock. now my clock is always showing it's 8 o'clock... i think i should get new batteries for it soon
i was stuck on a channel like that for a couple of days until i stole the batteries from my wall clock. now my clock is always showing it's 8 o'clock... i think i should get new batteries for it soon @jmchloe_hef (33)
• Philippines
16 Jun 10
Maybe because people are still optimistic about life's circumstances just like in a relationship even if they already know that it's not going to work they're still trying and hoping that it will work (by the way I'm also guilty about the battery thing)lol..
@mario_stevens (6971)
• Malaysia
16 Jun 10
that is so deeep..
i had no idea my remote control discussion was a metaphor for something so deep there hehe...just kidding
i had no idea my remote control discussion was a metaphor for something so deep there hehe...just kidding @jmchloe_hef (33)
• Philippines
21 Jun 10
Haha lol. I'm just trying to look at it in a different perspective hehe..
@sunnycool (12714)
• India
16 Jun 10
I never trouble my Remote control----it does show some signs before it runs out of power
if i press 78 then is shows up some random channel so its a sign from my dear remote asking me to get a couple of new batteries----so it wouldnt end up displaying FTV when i'm in the amidst of my family members ---it can be embrassing.
never the less i did cross check in other instances but never with my remote 
if i press 78 then is shows up some random channel so its a sign from my dear remote asking me to get a couple of new batteries----so it wouldnt end up displaying FTV when i'm in the amidst of my family members ---it can be embrassing.
never the less i did cross check in other instances but never with my remote @mario_stevens (6971)
• Malaysia
16 Jun 10
finally! someone who takes care of his tv remote control
i so envy you...i've been through a few remote controls for the same tv...knocked it around too much
i so envy you...i've been through a few remote controls for the same tv...knocked it around too much 
@busybee10 (3186)
• India
15 Jun 10
Than shows ho much weak we are in maintaining our own gadgets - this may be because of our busy activities or laziness.
I feel many are lazy ......in changing the battery.
I install a battery in the remote mark a date on that and remove that after 6 months,just before it gets discharged.
@busybee10 (3186)
• India
17 Jun 10
Nothing to feel ashamed - it is only our practice and should make a habit.These days every minute is spent with stress and are unable to dedicate some time for our improvement.
@mario_stevens (6971)
• Malaysia
16 Jun 10
that is so organized busybee.. i'm ashamed that i can't be as efficient in taking care of my batteries..
@sagar21 (1579)
• India
16 Jun 10
I don't actually press it..I'll throw it ..!!!if it fails to work...he..he...
after I find its something to do with the battery,then I'll take it out squeeze it...and use last till the last "drop of blood" is oozed out...he..he..
thanks for sharing...
have a great day/night...
.he..he...
after I find its something to do with the battery,then I'll take it out squeeze it...and use last till the last "drop of blood" is oozed out...he..he..
thanks for sharing...
have a great day/night...@mario_stevens (6971)
• Malaysia
16 Jun 10
haha...you're so brutal when the freaking control doesn't work
@asep988 (92)
• Indonesia
16 Jun 10
Yes it's weird but that is the truth.. I think when I tried to press harder on remote or trying to shake it and hope it can "alive" again, it's because our brain has a command to do such acts in very short moment that we didn't realized.
Another reason is maybe we have a wrong perceptions to think that such acts is a short time solution to "reload" the remote..
@mario_stevens (6971)
• Malaysia
16 Jun 10
and when we realize that what we're doing is kind of pointless...we tend to forget, and then we do it again and again
@mamaleone (59)
• Hungary
23 Jun 10
Well, were not we taught at school "try hard and you will make it", my friend?
Anyway, here is a similar example: how it comes we start talking louder when we meet someone who does not speak our language? Again, we try hard, don't we?
@mario_stevens (6971)
• Malaysia
23 Jun 10
haha...good one there mamaleone
welcome to myLot! where the fun only stops when you log off, and Mario is always up to something funny oooh..i try too hard sometimes..hehe..