People these days are often annoyed by the TV programs on buses and the TV advertisements at train stations. So, a group of anti-TV activists in North America and Britain plan to liberate TV sufferers.

    Their weapon? A new invention called TV-B-Gone. The device is a key-ring-sized remote control unit that can turn off most TV sets within a radius (半径) of around 14 meters.

    This annual protest is against TV’s influence (especially in Turning-Off TV Week). It’s called White Dot and began in the US 12 years ago. It has now spread to other countries, including Canada and the UK.

    “For most people, TV has become an activity they don’t think about. If you’re not doing anything else, you tend to watch TV,” said David Burke, the founder of the UK arm of White Dot which is organizing the protest in Europe.

    The protesters plan to identify restaurants, pubs and other public places which they believe are ruined by televisions. They will then pay each one a visit and forcibly turn off the TV sets. They will leave behind posters explaining how the background noise of the TV has replaced the art of conversation.

    Mitch Altman, who spent two years inventing the TV-B-Gone in San Francisco, California, said he came up with the idea on a night out with friends. Typically, the group became absorbed in a silent television  in the corner of the restaurant and he became determined to do something about it.

    In the US, the movement has gained considerable momentum（动力）over the past 10 years. Groups visit schools and colleges to encourage students to take part.