Seeing folks freaking the fuck out that Netflix introduced a variable speed option and while I get it on one level, I’m also confused because VCRs, DVD players, and YouTube allow the same controls and in certain ways this allows for better accessibility options.

As an academic, I also appreciate the ability to go slow mo for stylistic analysis and 1.5x speed is always nice when I’m looking to refresh a couple moments for classroom use (culling clips, finding dialogue exchanges, etc.).

Authors can’t control if readers speed read or skim. Painters can’t hold someone captive in a museum and demand they look at the differences between subtle uses of shades of blue.

A filmmaker cannot force an audience member to sit through their entire film with the utmost attention. Even before this, folks could walk out, have conversations amongst themselves, multitask while a movie played in the background, could use their phones, etc.

I just don’t see it as particularly egregious.