For a long time, entertainment was only meant to be enjoyed on its own. You didn’t go to a cinema and take your television with you, and you didn’t spin slot machines while watching a theatre performance. The online world and the rise of technology have led to a complete shift, though.
Now, it’s possible to have multiple screens showing different things at the same time. We can work on one, and have a game or television show running on the other. Just like our ancient ancestors swiftly learned to use tools and fire, we’ve become multiscreen experts in a short space of time.
From TV Dinners to Second Screens
The concept of multitasking with screens dates back decades, and the idea of the TV dinner can be traced to 1953. This was introduced by C.A. Swanson & Sons, who made a frozen meal that could easily be eaten while sitting in front of the television set. It quickly became socially acceptable to eat in the living room while watching TV. Some households would even have television sets in their kitchens, allowing them to eat and watch while sitting at the table.
Things have evolved technologically in the last few decades, and screens are still commonplace during mealtimes. Now, though, in addition to the TV, you’re likely to find smartphones and tablets close at hand as well, with people checking notifications while eating food and watching something. That’s surely a sign that we’ve evolved into a multiscreen society, with people adroitly able to shift their focus from one device to another.
Certain Activities Can Be Done Easily Simultaneously
While it may have seemed impossible to enjoy different forms of entertainment at the same time in the past, today’s offerings have made it possible. There are certain forms of entertainment that can be enjoyed in short bursts, even at the same time as when something else is happening. For example, you could easily watch the news on TV, while scrolling social media on your smartphone.
Similarly, you could watch a podcast on YouTube on your laptop, while playing a game like Slingo on your iPad. Slingo casino games are designed to be played in short bursts. They are easy to get the hang of, as players only need to press a few buttons. Today’s entertainment options lend themselves to multiscreen blending well, which is why we’re evolving to become a multiscreen species.
What’s The Next Stage in this Technological Evolution?
The question is, where does it go from here? Will we evolve from using two screens at the same time to using three or four simultaneously? Or will we evolve in different ways alongside new technology as it emerges?
There’s a chance that in a few years, people won’t even be using screens anymore. There could be holographic technology around the house, or mixed reality glasses may take over from today’s devices. People have already evolved with technology up to now, though, and that highlights how they are likely to adapt and thrive no matter what comes next.
