Vuvuzelas not 'horning in' on World Cup ratings

Those god-awful horns make watching boring soccer even worse...
I mute the audio and try my darndest to get interested to no avail...
Saw a DC United game 2 weeks ago at JFK stadium and had to put up with a constant drum beat and 110 decibal "musical chaos" reverberating
between concrete walls. When will they ever make attendance at these events at least more comfortable and safe for the ears?

The fastest growing page in Facebook history is a protest against the vuvuzelas:

http://www.facebook.com/pages/FIFA-BAN-THE-ANNOYING-VUVUZELA-HORN-FROM-THE-SOUTH-AFRICA-WORLD-CUP-/124891457531066

200,000 thousand people in just a few days. It says a lot about FIFA's refusal to ban the horns.

EAR PLUGS!!!!! Just like when you go to Nascar, Indy, etc. Less annoying than hearing those around you yelling obscene words with children there.

You cannot compare the chanting fans and drum beat on the same level of annoyance as the vuvuzelas, especially at a half-filled stadium for an MLS game. Asking fans to stop chanting and drums beating is like asking college basketball fans to stop screaming when the opposing team has the ball. That is not going to stop, its part of the experience of the sport.

I will agree 100% about the annoyance of the vuvuzelas, because it is a constant buzz as if you are in a bee-hive

Sorry, but you're comparing World Cup ratings from 4 years ago (with less vuvuzela noise) to World Cup ratings now, when American interest in soccer is much higher. Ban the horns, and ratings would be even higher. An anecdotal data point: I was planning to watch this time, but the sound is unbearable. Back to basketball....

Put a thong on your head to drown out the horns you sad muppet

The horns are only blowing with there's nothing exciting happening on the field. . . . .which is all the time in a soccer match!! LOL

World Cup = ZZZZZZZZZzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

"The vuvuzela sound
that will make you tune in
and not tone down"
http://www.vuvatchunas.co.za

Muting or earplugs are a sad answer. The cheers, jeers, whistles, ooh's and ahh's of the crowds at any team sporting match help give the games their personalities. The vuvuzelas are one steady, unhealthy drone which act as a mute to all other sounds. If this passes for S. African culture, it's pretty sad to any serious fan of world football and has created the most unpleasant of World Cups. The vuvuzelas only add to the ZZZZZZZZZ's; all matches sound the same.

First of all: congratulations to you, Rafer, for your Chicago winning the famed Stanley Cup !! Yes, anything to do with Chicago holds a very special place in our hearts !!!
According to our local sports reports, the local taverns were jammed with sports fans glued to the large TV screen–as they indulged in lots of ales and other spirits !! Yes, true-hearted Americans love any kind of sports . . . and will gather together for any reason to celebrate !! As for those vuvuzelas horns, we think they add to the hype of the game !! In regard to loud noises and distractions, nothing can beat the screaming and hollering heard in our New Orleans Superdome !! (Home of our Drew Brees and the 2010 Super Bowl-winning Saints !!! ) Just ask any visiting team on game day, and they will agree !! Whatever sports you fancy, just enjoy the game !! Robin, have a Happy Wednesday; remember: we love Ya, our Ohio girl !! Robin's Follies.

Grew up loving American football.
Then bad changes came:
Such as West Coast offense,
Steroids (just look at the size of those guys),
Concussed athletes,
Ubber- hype/ marketing of the sport.
etc,etc
I just quit watching it.

Just give me soccer.
Once you learn the sport it is great!

In soccer every player is the quarterback when he has the ball.
Also no time outs for coaching is amazing.

Sorry Y'all but I needed to try to contact ya somehow, got ?'s. I'm driving down to Pensacola from Lake Geneva, WI, on the way back I was going to stop in Atlanta for the aquiarium & saw it was near your work place tried looking into "Morning tour tiks" but the stupid computer wouldn't go there.....grrrrrrrrr! I'm driving to retrieve my medical records for a migraine study, SO YES THE NOISE IS QUITE ANNOYING! I love fun & celebrations, but come on people the overwhelming noise is anything but...

The 2010 world cup has the potential to go down as one of the worst ever for viewing. The games have become almost unwatchable with that constant droning noise caused by the vuvuzela. It's endless, it never stops, dips, rises.. it just goes on and on. Ghana has a penatly and the noise continued, they scored and you could not hear the cheers. There is little to no singing. They say it is just a different rhythm, but there is no rhythm. It is a consistant B flat. There is no skill, no tune, no rhythm.

After about 15 minutes into the game I find my stress levels increase, I get annoyed and if I watch the whole game, I have a slight headache. Fifa has no guts to bann them. They knew about them before hand and did nothing. There are petitions online to ban them. There are facebook groups with over 200,000 supporters and growing.

Some say mute the TV, but you might as well switch it off if you cant hear the sound of the game/crowd etc..

Shame on everyone involved in allowing this to happen, for ruining the world cup and then doing nothing when the complaints comes in.

Those who are opposed to a ban are obviously not true soccer fans who are watching the games. To those who say it is part of their culture, they have only been mass produced since 2001. Before that, they used to sing.. THAT is the African culture, singing.

"That's how I'll be watching from now on – with earplugs or with the sound off."

You don't have much of a love for the game then if you can accept watching a game with no sound

No, don't stop the horns. It's part of their culture, just like we wave shirts or flags. It's a bit noisier, but it's all in fun

I don't think it's our choice to have them banned ,after all it's their culture so who are we to say different,we wouldn't want someone else trying to change our cultures,we need to mind our own business.

I think the horns should be banned at this event considering it is a worldwide event, not a local event.
If the South African people insist on using the horns because it is part of their culture then I feel the world should boycott South Africa from any future sporting events, concerts, and/or any other major event that will bring tourism. If the South Africans make their guests feel unwelcome by not accommodating their wishes then we should hurt their wallet by not holding events there.

Im so tired of hearing about the vuvuzelas, I didn't even hear them until everyone started to complain about them. Let the fans do what they want to have fun and support their team in the world cup. Is anyone getting hurt because of them-NO. You don't like the noise turn down the volume. I think their is much bigger problems in the world like UMMM THE OIL LEAK. Why don't we focus on that instead because that is actually hurting the environment the vuvuzelas are only around for 1 month oil leak has been here for 2 MONTHS....

Hi Jennifer! You are right. Our building IS right by the Atlanta Aquarium (on the other side of Centennial Olympic park). For information on the tour you can visit http://www.cnn.com/tour OR you can call 404.827.2300 (toll free at 1.877.4CNNTOUR). Hope that helps! Have a safe trip!

The vuvuzelas are an awesome part of this World Cup. We need to stop whining and make an effort to embrace some world culture once in awhile, even if it isn't to the tune of beautiful music. Let the fans blow!

The World Cup is a giant party the South Africans are throwing. What host of a party continues to do something that he knows is annoying to his guests? It may be a cultural thing for the South Africans...and I–and probably many others– could tolerate use of the horns when it makes sense...when there's something going on on the field that merits some horn blowing...but the incessant, annoying use of these horns has caused me–and apparently others around the world–to stop watching the matches. I won't watch with the sound off...I just won't watch anymore.

I don't buy the "cultural thing" arugment. Why do we, the guests, have to be tolerant of our hosts' bad manners and insensitivity? I'd rather leave the party.

@Stephanie: I understand you are "so tired of hearing about the vuvuzelas", however, had you actually watched the news broadcasts about the noise levels produced by them you'd know they do cause harm.
To quote you, "Is anyone getting hurt because of them-NO."
You are incorrect. A study has shown that "extended exposure at 85 decibels puts a person at risk of permanent hearing loss; at 100 decibels or more, this can occur in 15 minutes." The vuvuzela was measured at 127 decibels, and spectators are exposed for well over 15 minutes.

Now that everybody knows what really annoys Rafer, well, let the annoying begin!!!!

It's time for those toys toys to go.

They are a major distraction for the millions of TV viewers and since it's the TV viewers that are the reason sponsor's pay for advertising, then those noise makers need to go.

I can huge alcohol infused fights breaking out because the guy next to somebody blew that horn and caused that somebody to miss a play. BIG MISTAKE.

If for some unforeseen reason, we can't live without them after they've been taken away. Then we can bring them back.

Rather than banning the horns, perhaps they could have a section in the stadium set aside for those fans who want to participate in the horn blowing. Much like they do at college & high school football games. There is a section set aside in the stadium for the band & pep squad. If you are a fan who wants to participate in the horn blowing then, you have to sit in the "horn section." At least the noise would be contained to one area.

The vuvuzela will never be banned. As simple as that. The reasons are obvious.

1.) I don't think most people realize what they are asking.
You are asking a country to ban something that INCONVENIENCES you.
Really ? You are serious ? Something bothers you and it should be banned ?
Get serious.The sad fact is your convenience isn't reason enough to do Anything
let alone ban the vuvuzela.

2.) Headaches ? Interesting how everyone at the stadium seem fine , smiling and happy. Ive watched every game and my head is fine. Now either me and everyone at the stadium are superhuman or the people complaining have AMAZINGLY sensitive ears.

3.) To those who complain you cant hear the commentary.
Instead of asking a whole nation to keep quiet why not call your tv station and ask
them to turn the knob called "CROWD LEVEL" down a notch and the "Commentary
Level" up a notch? I know... its amazingly simple.

So in the end all reason to call for a banning is based on bias. And they don't even realise they're dong it. Typical hu ?

Let' em... BLOW, BLOW, BLOW.... we dont ask those irritating whistlers to put a cork in it at tennis matches.... If you don't like it use the mute button, its not like the commentary is useful anyway.

I can't stand those vuvuzelas! But should they be banned? Absolutely not! What if "the wave" was banned here in the USA? No way! It's about tradition- it's about the game – it's about fun- DEAL FOLKS. And here's a thought..... want one.... This would really get attention in the classroom, don't you think? And since it's summer, I could practice on my kids at home....I'm thinkin' YES, YES, YES!

I understand about cultural sensitivity, but if your country chooses to host an International Event, THAT COUNTRY needs to be sensitive to the countries they are hosting, including the telecast and fans of the other countries. Why don't we compromise and only let 1/4 of their fans have them??? Lord knows, it'll still be too noisy!!!!

OMG we never got to hear the announcer! Those obnoxious objects got our TV put on MUTE and we had to read the subtitles all through the seeming too many minutes of the game. It may have been the last game we'll try to watch if the horns show up in future games.

How shallow these folks views are on the world's sport. if any of you had actually watched an international soccer game before, you would know that other countries celebrate this sport in a much louder fashion than Americans do. I like the horns, I like the singing. That's how other countries do it. Get over it folks. Enjoy the excitement and atmosphere of the world's game, not the U.S.'s

I agree that the sound is annoying, but it is part of the overall experience! When a game is on, you hear that signature sound and know that it's a high level soccer match.

Give me a break. Embrace the culture. If you are so closed minded that you can't appreciate a little bit of noise during a magnificent futbol game, you shouldn't bother to watch. Sorry its not so PC and boring as american football games.

alright, here is my idea that i believe is fair to everyone, why don't we ask fans to blow the horns only when goals are scored or during crucial penetly shots for the unIfavored team. such ideas would follow a more americanized style of fan respect to players all while keeping fairness to the fans expression. sorry about the caps by the way, I wrote this off my phone.

Well if it weren't for the noise, people would find SOMETHING else to complain about. This is a big deal for the people in South Africa so let them enjoy their moment!!! If you dont like the noise TOUGH. The little hand clappers and such are loud and annoying too, but no one is griping about that! I like the spirit of Africa and I say we let them showcase their culture!!

The TV noise could be minimized either by filtering or by the broadcaster controlling the sound level turning off their automatic sound level system. This is what is resulting in the noise increasing between comments and it makes it even more annoying.

I do think that if the noise adversely affects the players it should be limited, like to when a great play or goal is scored.

Rafer – Spain's loss today is HUGE – is it possible that in the next round they could meet Brazil, assuming Switzerland run the table.

And who would you prefer USA get in the next round – 2nd spot wins Germany? I know England will want to miss that tie, especially if Ghana are the first place prize.

Lastly – what happened to the GOALS! Only Germany have scored more than 2!

Noise, what noise? Could they just get rid of those bees...you know the ones wearing yellow on the pitch..

Yes they have the right to blow their horns. And obviously some of you on this post don't mind the horns. But judging from the reaction here and around the world most are really bothered. So frankly, if I was doing something at my party that was annoying almost all of my neighbors and making me look as if don't give a darn about how it affects anyone but me, I might reconsider my behaviour. Of course this will never happen, in fact expect the nose to increase as we head to the finals.

The vuvuzela has not been harnessed to its full potential yet and
should also not necessarily be seen as an irritant right yet anyway
since it takes a long time to fully enjoy, truly is does, it irritated me also to no end when i first heard it. Serious.

Remember the rattle-like, swinging objects English fans used to carry about in the sixties and seventies to most football matches?

Well, if enough fans united to blow the darn thing in a directed
harmony of rhythm and sound they could have a wonderful effect in
inspiring their team to greater effort in overcoming the opposition,
very much like the singing and chanting of English fans do today.

In South Africa, one Band, Midlovu, has tried to unite fans in this "harmony of African rhythm and sound" and have produced a CD
the " Vuva Tchunas" for fans to learn how to play in united notation,
albeit a bit late to teach all fans in time for this World Cup, but which
still holds good for the future however…

In fact they have used the tune of a universal South African
"liberation struggle anthem" formerly and currently used by
demonstators to " toyi-toyi" to, and harnessed it to become a
powerful and moving "Bafana Bafana song" called Tshisa Bafana which means " hot boys."

Admittedly like all things in this Information Age, the vuvuzela has
made its impact though the electronic transfer of sound and images
through the greatest festival transmited world-wide every four years,
but can we truly say it is here to stay?

So dear football lover and hearer of the vuvezela buzz, if you were
ever in doubt about what is agreeably a presently cacophonic din made by the vuvuzela, and fear its insidious penetration into your local stadium, or wished it could be done away with, banned or played in a better way, consider the following first before standing in judgement, by going to http://www.vuvatchunas.co.za.

Only you can be the judge, let me say this though, that all who come into come into contact with the vuvuzela have the strong urge to want to blow it. In fact, I haver never seen so much blow jobs been done at
one place at one time in my whole life.

Raphael Wyngaardt
Pretoria
South Africa
raphaelwyngaardt@gmail.com

This might help for people watching the World Cup on their PC's

"Thanks to researchers at the Centre for Digital Music (C4DM) at Queen Mary, University of London, anyone watching the World Cup on their computer can now filter out the droning sounds of vuvuzela playing in South Africa's stadiums."

http://www.physorg.com/news196360791.html