Posted on 03/29/2006 7:39:52 AM PST by tellw
I have never advocated stopping anyone from talking or using their phone, merely asking that they do so in moderation without telling everyone within 300 feet with their high volume.
At least the cell phone talkers go away after a bit of time (if you're lucky), but the music everywhere is ALWAYS there!
Once again, what's wrong with a little silence? (I'm not talking to you, just generally).
People are afraid to be alone or quiet because they might actually have to think about something and confront themselves.
Yeah, but just not the ones pictured there. Those are E.A.R. Classics, or similar, otherwise known as the "big yellow cylinders." They work really well but are not very comfortable, due to their size, relative stiffness and open cell foam. I'd suggest any of the plugs with a smooth outer coating, and preferably ones made of a very soft foam - E.A.R. "EARSofts" or Howard Leight "Laser Lites" are very good. I always wear foam earplugs when riding my motorcycle (for the wind noise, not the engine, which is not that loud) and so have had the opportunity to try quite a few different types. Some people have unusually large ear canals and may need a larger diameter plug for effective sealing. EARSofts and EARSoft Neons are available in two sizes.
I got myself a set of custom-moulded silicone earplug speakers for use while riding, flying, etc. With all the external noise (or at least 20 dB(A)) blocked out you can enjoy listening to music from a personal player at a reasonable level that won't harm your hearing.
"My theory is that people nowadays are afraid of silence, afraid of being left with their own thoughts. Might get depressed. Need a distraction. Dang it, you did get me started!"
You're absolutely right. I've said this to myself and others. You can "distract" your life away and wind up with nothing. People are afraid of solitude and silence.
From your lips to Mineta's ears...
Sounds like you might need a change of scene--a rural sojourn. A lot of the reason I'm where I am is to get away from the cacaphony.
OK
I've written Starbuck's, Barnes and Noble, etc., letters to ask that they NOT have constant "music" or at least turn it down or have customer controlled volume or off switches for the music, but they wrote back and said their customers "preferred" having music. What it's about is selling CD's.
Silence is an alien concept to many people. I've actually thought about moving into the deep country to escape the constant noise.
I don't think I'm weird or paranoid either. I do think excessive and constant noise drives people insane and promotes violence. Ever lived near a house with dogs that bark endlessly and every whisp of wind or leaf rattle? Should you shoot the dogs or their owners first?
I've read of a group that says there's only a few truly quiet places left in the world.
I never thought I'd miss Muzak with its elevator versions of mellow pop hits (I still remember the great orchestral interpretations of the Beatles that Muzak played.) The difference nowadays? It's no longer soft instrumental music, it's all vocal. Words, words, words to combat the silence and thoughts people seem to fear. In fifteen minutes I'm going to a yoga class with a fantastic teacher, who, unfortunately, thinks he has to play CDs of some annoying new age garbage throughout. It's all instrumental, or idiotic chanting, and totally unnecessary.
Maybe that's what caused the plane to crash. (/extremely poor taste humor)
I've heard good things about those Bose headphones (chiefly from frequent air travellers). If you live and like the city, you might look at them. They are expensive--everything Bose is. I think they'd also be good for tuning out chatty seatmates (I'd rather have a cellphone user next to me than some of the strangers who have used me as a captive audience.)
You haven't been around me, I didn't ignore.
I don't doubt that. But it's beside the point.
Before boarding El Al for my trip to Israel, I asked the interviewer if he wanted me to turn on my video cam, he looked amused.
LOL we are obviously at the point where we agree to disagree.
With the total lack of amenities nowdays in airline travel--freedom from the annoyance of someone blabbing loudly into a cell phone--is about the last creature comfort left when flying.
JUST SAY NO!
Ya think?? ;o)
It is worth repeating at this point the theories that Ford had come up with, on his first encounter with human beings, to account for their peculiar habit of continually stating and restating the very very obvious, as it 'It's a nice day," or "You're very tall," or "So this is it, we're going to die."
His first theory was that if human beings didn't keep exercising their lips, their mouths probably seized up.
After a few months of observation he had come up with a second theory, which was this - "If human beings don't keep exercising their lips, their brains start working."
-Douglas Adams, "The Restaurant at the End of the Universe"
I suppose somebody had to say it...
As long as the airlines have a rule that the cell phone user must hang up if someone objects, I don't have a problem with using them. I just don't want my sleep disturbed by someone yelling into their phone.
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