The Science of Losing and Finding the TV Remote Control

A science, huh? Really!

Is that what you’re thinking? I thought so too until the day I couldn’t find the remote control for my TV. Here I was, all sorted with popcorn, soda, beer, and my favorite bowl of chips, all set to watch the game. And, try as I might, I couldn’t find the remote.

We’ve all been there at some point where this survival essential eludes every possible strategy of recovering it. My significant other was calling to me from the bedroom with suggestions of all sorts of possible locations ranging from the couch corners, under the cushions, under the couch itself, and on top of the TV.

But, to no avail.

So, here I am scrambling to locate the thing before the game starts and whole trains of thoughts start running through my head starting with the guy who invented remote controls.

The Remote Is Possibly the Best of Man’s Inventions

Second, of course, to the TV. I mean my Dad talks about the good old days when he had to get up from the comfort of his recliner to change channels or raise or lower the sound. When he had a child with him, the child became a remote control, enjoying the task of running to and from the TV clicking on the buttons. (But, don’t try it at home. It will never work with your teenager!)

Anyway, as an article in eBay describes, humans have evolved to a point where the TV remote control has become an extension of their personalities, something as vital as food. It has made television viewing so very convenient that just a missing device can turn them into primeval creatures scrambling and searching in every corner of the house. In fact, we now have a new metaphor for the dominating partner in a marriage – the person who controls the remote wears the pants in the house.

How I Found This Out?

Try Googling “Possible Locations of a Missing Remote” and see what comes up. Yep, I tried it. That’s how desperate I got. I mean if Google has an answer for everything under the sun, why not my problem? And, I hit pay dirt! Google definitely has a whole list of websites that have done the research for you and put together a bunch of possible nooks and crannies where the remote has slipped. Even the Wall Street Journal has an article advising on what your options are in case you lose your remote. Go figure!

Then it Occurred to Me that this Must Be a Very Common Phenomenon

The Global Remote Control Trends Study (they actually have a study on it!) sponsored by Logitech, gives you a breakdown of the percentage of probabilities of the remote control in different locations around your house. So, you have a close to 50 % chance of the gadget hiding in your couch, 8% likelihood that you took it to the bathroom with you, and another 8% chance you placed it in the dresser drawer when looking for something else. Some 4% remotes found their way into the fridge or freezer (I mean, what’s a good movie without a bowl of ice cream, right?). And, okay, this one befuddles me but 2% actually made their way to the car.

Hang on! I’m not done with the statistics. I read this article in The Telegraph that on an average, men are likely to spend 18.5 days of their lives searching for the lost gadget while women seem to spend only 12.5 days looking for it. Keep in mind that these statistics were collected in 2013, and in the interim, we’ve probably added a whole new list of possible appliances that won’t function until we find their remote controls.

I Found Some Options that Can Save You the Search

Some of these solutions made sense while others border on the ridiculous. Let’s get started.

1. If you have a toddler running around, you’ll be searching through blocks, puzzles, and mounds of toys to locate the remote. So, hide it. And then, remember where you hid it.
2. Dogs love remote controls. That’s probably because you attach so much importance to it. Same solution – hide it and remember where you hid it.
3. Attach a tracker on it that will beep when you can’t find it. You only need to connect it to a smartphone app.
4. As eBay says, buy a special cushion for your couch that has a pocket in it for the remote. Or, buy a gadget that’s so big that there’s no way you can lose it.
5. Here’s another. Wrap it in bright neon or fluorescent tape so all you need to do is turn off the lights and get it to glow.
6. Attach it with Velcro tape to the TV and make it a point to put it back after you turn off the TV.
7. Attach it with a leash to the TV like you would tether a dog. So, essentially, we’re going back to the age when we first invented wired remote controls.
8. Best of all, each time you set it down, take a good look at the location where you placed it.
9. Fold the couch blanket carefully. I’ve rolled the remote control into it umpteen times. Now, it’s the first place I look. And, if you watch TV in bed, turn out all the bedclothes. Er, and check behind the headboard.
10. Have a backup universal remote in case you can’t find the TV remote. If you lose that also? Well………..

Okay! So, I Can’t Find it! What Now?

Assuming my device traveled to another time and space dimension without me, I guess, it’s time to order another! And, if you don’t want to spend too much, you could consider buying a refurbished device. I found mine at ReUseTek remote controls. They have this awesome range of certified devices that are barely used and perfectly functional.

So, how’s your hunt coming along? Did you check your left hand? Or, better yet. Check the washing machine. My remote control somehow ended up in the clothes hamper and got laundered. That can happen too!

Worthview