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The Psychology Behind Headphones

pvt_medic writes "The BBC has an interesting article today about portable music players and personal space. The article is on the research that Dr Michael Bull has done on portable music players. He analyzes them as a "tool whereby users manage space, time and the boundaries around the self." This article goes on to analyze the social and psychological aspects related to listening to music in public with headphones. A good quick read for those who do this."

18 of 395 comments (clear)

  1. Other reasons... by el-spectre · · Score: 4, Funny

    Some of us have to use headphones, as our music of choice violates obsenity laws and may damage small buildings...

    --
    "Faith: Belief without evidence in what is told by one who speaks without knowledge, of things without parallel." - A.B.
  2. I created my own personal space... by stevens · · Score: 5, Funny

    ...because the programmer over the cube wall was constantly humming songs to herself. There's nothing more maddening than listening to someone hum while you're trying to code. Headphones were mandatory.

    I dropped the headphones when I got an office. What a blessing.

  3. in the workspace by psycht · · Score: 4, Funny

    I wish I had more opportunity to do this at work. Being able to separate yourself and focus on your work without being distracted it a heaven-sent.

    Alas, I'm on a helpdesk. That doesn't work out too well.

  4. Re:anti-social behaviors... by elykyllek · · Score: 5, Funny

    Unfortunately a lot of the music other people listen to sucks. I'm glad they wear their headphones, it doesn't shield them, it sheilds me.

  5. Which university again by DrSkwid · · Score: 4, Funny


    The University of Stating the Bleedin' Obvious ?

    --
    There are places where the networks are not touching,and there are places where they are-Boeing's Lori Gunter
  6. Re:Just sounds to me by Trigun · · Score: 5, Funny

    Most studies sole purpose is to validate the career of the person doing the study. Any useful results are incidental.

  7. Re:anti-social behaviors... by WormholeFiend · · Score: 5, Funny

    I prefer being ignored by someone with headphones on than by someone putting their index fingers in their ears and yelling "I CANT HEAR YOU LALALALALALALAAAA".

  8. ..users manage space, time.. by burgburgburg · · Score: 4, Funny
    a "tool whereby users manage space, time and the boundaries around the self."

    I thought that was what my Tardis was for.

  9. A study I would like to see by Thud457 · · Score: 5, Funny

    would be an analysis of how ivory-tower eggheads over-analyze ever goddamned little thing in a futile attempt to make themselves seem relevant and get one paper closer to that all-important tenure.

    --

    the preceding comment is my own and in no way reflects the opinion of the Joint Chiefs of Staff

  10. Re:anti-social behaviors... by niko9 · · Score: 5, Funny

    Remember, the average person spends about 50% of their daily free time at home watching TV.

    I DON'T WATCH TV!

    I, um, spend my time here... and listening to songs thats have gratuitous amounts of cowbell.

  11. Do not disturb by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

    Maybe we need a wearable version of those hotel 'do not disturb' signs. It would fit around your neck and display your request that you be left alone on your chest for all to see. It would also be reversible so you can let everyone know when you want your bed linens changed.

  12. Re:Post-modernist crap by Threni · · Score: 4, Funny

    > Or could it be that they just want to listen to music?

    Shush! He's an "expert"! He's got qualifications and everything.

  13. Re:Dude, people are not urban creatures by TGK · · Score: 3, Funny

    That, and the air conditioner had yet to be invented.

    --
    Killfile(TGK)
    No trees were killed in the creation of this post. However, many electrons were inconvenienced.
  14. the fabric by sstory · · Score: 4, Funny

    I didn't know iPods could manage Space-Time. I guess that deserves the higher price.

  15. Re:Headphones rocks, but... by general_re · · Score: 4, Funny

    Yeah, but I have to crank the music - it's the only thing that drowns out that goddamn ringing in my ears....

    --
    ABSURDITY, n.: A statement or belief manifestly inconsistent with one's own opinion.
  16. A headphone day by suso · · Score: 3, Funny

    One of my coworkers once said:

    It's going to be a headphone day.

    What he meant by that is that he needed to block out all the annoying noise coming out of other people's mouths and so on as they came back and asked questions. I do that sometimes too.

  17. Re:anti-social behaviors... by tbone1 · · Score: 3, Funny
    Right, you might be listening to Prairie Home Companion and be bored into causing a massive accident.

    Well, we have Sue Scott with The Calico Monologues and Big Mike Thompson will do a series of tabby imitations. Later on, our special guests, The Nyquil Trio, will sing some songs about cats, then I'll talk about a loser detective and the case of the Swede who didn't like meatballs.

    --

    The Independent: Reverend Spooner Arrested in Friar Tuck Incident - ISIHAC, Historical Headlines
  18. How'd they get these interviews? by borg1238 · · Score: 3, Funny

    Through interviews with Walkman owners and now iPod buyers, he found that listening to music acts as a shield, aura or cocoon.

    These must have been difficult interviews to get:
    "Sir... uh... sir? Would you like to participate... sir? Can you hear me? Sir?!"