Metro UK Lifestyle editor Ellen Scott appeared on Good Morning Britain to call for clapping to be banned.
Scott’s appearance on the program comes after Oxford University’s Student Union voted to ban clapping replacing it with “jazz hands” or a “silent wave.”
ClassicFM reports, “The motion to ‘mandate the encouragement of silent clapping’ was successfully passed by student union representatives, following their first meeting of the year on Tuesday.”
Sabbatical Officer Roisin McCallion explained the reasoning behind the policy to Metro:
“The policy was proposed in order to encourage the use of British Sign Language clapping during our democratic events, to make those events more accessible and inclusive for all, including people who suffer from anxiety.”
After the Oxford University’s Student Union voted to ban clapping, Ellen Scott appeared on Good Morning Britain to argue in favor of banning clapping.
She argues:
“So it’s actually not just about people with anxiety. It’s also people who use hearing aids. Clapping can be disruptive to that. People who have sensory processing issues, it can be very distressful and overwhelming to have those loud, sudden noises.”
She adds, “[Clapping] could be preventing people from going to those events, which is a real shame. So if some theaters or some universities say, ‘Actually we are going to be more inclusive and do jazz hands instead that would be lovely. More people could get involved.”
When asked if there would be a penalty for people who clapped, Scott answered:
“I don’t think there is going to be a penalty, frankly. I don’t think anyone is going to say, ‘You need to leave.’ But if you were persisting with clapping even though you’ve been requested to do something. That’s not very polite is it? I think people understand if you were requested to do something in a specific context, you can do it.”
Scott then states, “[Clapping] is normal, but that doesn’t mean it can’t change.” She adds, “The real world could change. Maybe we’ll become more inclusive, which would be a great thing. I don’t think it’s a bad thing to be over accommodating. It’s a really nice thing about millennials.”
Despite calling for a radical culture change where clapping would no longer be normal or effectively banned, she claims she doesn’t want to ban clapping on Twitter.
just some clarity, as unfortunately it’s hard to talk about a complex issue in a short clip:
– No one is banning clapping, Oxford Uni decided to use British Sign Language (BSL) clapping during democratic events
– I don’t want to ban clapping, but I like the idea of having….— Ellen C Scott (@EllenCScott) November 8, 2019
…dedicated sessions with low noise levels etc to be more inclusive/accessible
– also it’s nice we’re having a conversation about how we can make things more accessible
– Yes, I am aware I move my head too much when I talk
– I’m growing out my hair so it goes back to brown— Ellen C Scott (@EllenCScott) November 8, 2019
– I’m not personally ‘offended’ by clapping but if other people are, I’m not so in love with banging my hands together that I wouldn’t stop for their sake
– If you clap at me I will pretend to scream/faint because I find that very funny
– I really do like green tea— Ellen C Scott (@EllenCScott) November 8, 2019
– I was asked to come on GMB specifically to talk about clapping. Yes, there are more important topics in the world but it’d be a bit weird to answer a question about clapping by chatting about climate crisis
– I, too, am sad Piers wasn’t on that day— Ellen C Scott (@EllenCScott) November 8, 2019
– oh also I’m not a ‘goth’ but I am enjoying being called that, reminds me of my youth
– ok boomer— Ellen C Scott (@EllenCScott) November 8, 2019
Interestingly enough, back in 2015, Scott declared Wes Anderson’s weird clapping as her “new go-to reaction gif.”
Also, Wes Anderson’s weird clapping is my new go-to reaction gif. pic.twitter.com/Jz3g2C5r8q
— Ellen C Scott (@EllenCScott) February 24, 2015
Jeremy Griggs from Geeks and Gamers reacted to Scott’s call for a radical culture change that would ban clapping.
What do you make of Ellen Scott’s call to radically change culture so clapping is banned? What do you make of Jeremy Griggs’ response?