Closed captioning

  
I don’t know exactly when it started. I think I started watching TV with the closed captioning on when my son was a baby (so I wouldn’t wake him up). But he’s not a baby anymore. So why do I still watch TV with the closed captioning? 

An article at medium.com called “Why Gen Z Loves Closed Captioning” explores the reasons why we’re seeing a surge in Generation Z kids (born mid-1990s to mid-2000s) watching TV with closed captioning. These are kids with no hearing impairment. It’s just ... odd. 

One of the reasons why Gen Z kids may like captions is because it helps them deal with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). I never thought about this until I read the article, but I have long exhibited ADHD symptoms (in fact, I didn’t even finish the above-mentioned article). Could this be a reason why I prefer watching TV with the captions on? Maybe. 

It seems captions help those with ADHD focus and block out distractions more easily. I don’t feel readily distracted when I’m watching TV, but, considering how passive an activity it is, it may allow me to be more involved. 

The article also mentioned the possibility of difficulties processing auditory information, which may apply to me as well. I spend so much time blocking out conversations at work all day (because we're all in the same room, sigh), I may have problems finally allowing myself to process what I've taught my brain all day is "noise."

Anyway, closed captions are frequently really funny, though not as often on Netflix. I’ve seen some of the most ridiculous things pop up in captions. I realize my life is pretty boring, but some of those things have made my day. 

I’m also a reader. I read at work. I read at home. I read in the bathtub. I even read directions on boxes of tea (there’s a surprising amount of variety). So, reading television really isn’t that big of a deal. It’s pretty natural. And I don’t miss anything. At my old job doing customer service, I would frequently have to read lips, which is a different kind of reading. I was pretty good at it. Working in a noisy environment can dull your hearing and heighten other senses. Oh, and I attended lots of concerts back in the day, which could be another reason why I no longer rely on my ears as much. 

Also, I’m pretty sure I’m practicing for old age. I’m middle-aged, which is almost as much fun. I have stockpiled Vicks VapoRub. I take baths with essential oils and Epsom salts. I eat an apple a day. Except on the weekends when I go wild and eat other things. Like prunes. I like curling up in my easy chair with a blanket and the remote and reading my television. I methodically take my supplements. And I keep tabs on the weather like it’s my job. I’m also afraid I’m going to fall on ice. 

Seriously, though, it seems people (especially younger people) don’t place as much importance on things that are auditory as much as text-based communication. This can be seen in their reluctance to listen to and/or reply to voicemail messages and such. Send them a text, though, and you will often get an instant reply. So maybe I’m not so much trying to be old before my time as much as I’m trending with younger folks. Yeah, probably not the latter.

I have to say that reading television does not work so well for action movies. First of all, there isn’t a whole lot of nuance of language in action movies. Second, you’re missing all the good stuff while you’re reading text! Too many visuals go by too quickly to read at the same time. It’s stressful. No, it’s exhausting. I think I’ll stop watching Marvel movies (hey, my son likes them) because they’re so stressful. 

My closed-caption-watching habit is something I don’t normally reveal to people until it’s too late. For them. Then they just have to deal with it. I’m not going to change. Well, I may change the channel, but that’s about it.