Slashdot Mirror
Is the iPod Generation Going Deaf?
prozac79 writes "Ars Technica and Wired News are both running interesting articles on how personal music players are a major contributor [ArsTechnica] to early hearing loss [Wired]. According the ArsTechnica article, an increasing number of people are now living in "noisy" environments that is only made worse by blocking it out with even louder music. The article also suggests that listening to music for one hour a day is considered safe. So now you have a choice... go deaf early or go insane listening to your coworkers chatter."
A sign of a healthy office is a fairly high level of chatter. It means that people get along well with each other and are comfortable talking amongst themselves. Some large, draconian corporations try to encourage this through "company picnics" and other hokey things that force people together who would otherwise not normally associate. Companies where people like each other generally do not need such encouragement.
If you are so anti-social that you feel that your coworkers' chatting is driving you insane (I'm sure you're exaggerating), I wouldn't be surprised to find that others also find you socially repulsive. Humans are a social animal and anti-social behavior is a sign of sickness. If you notice people chatting near you, it is a sign of a healthy personality that you join them for a few laughs. Turning up your iPod is not healthy.
And who said you need to have music to tune out coworkers anyway? If you are really bothered by their presence, earplugs work very well. And they don't hurt your hearing.
Jesus saved me from my past. He can save you as well.
I've always wondered this... how does one become an audiophile? Does it start with having something very large inserted up one's ass? That certainly explains the smug, assholish-ness, but it doesn't explain the sound sensitivity.
I don't respond to AC's.
Take your pretentious garbage and shove it.
I support the Center for Consumer Freedom