Why Overheard Cell Phone Chats Are Annoying

Posted by timothy on Thursday May 20, 2010 @10:26AM from the they-drown-out-the-bark-of-my-gun dept.

__roo writes "American researchers think they have found the answer to the question of why overhearing cell phone chats are annoying. According to scientists at Cornell University, when only half of the conversation is overheard, it drains more attention and concentration than when overhearing two people talking. According to one researcher, 'We have less control to move away our attention from half a conversation (or halfalogue) than when listening to a dialogue. Since halfalogues really are more distracting and you can't tune them out, this could explain why people are irritated.' Their study will be published in the journal Psychological Science."

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It couldn't possibly be because by sh00z · 2010-05-20 10:30 · Score: 5, Insightful

people talk so damn loud on their cell phones, could it?
Re:Hemilogue by asylumx · 2010-05-20 11:07 · Score: 5, Insightful

Yeah, I think this is a classic case of a malamanteau.
Re:Common sense.. by Redlazer · 2010-05-20 11:22 · Score: 5, Insightful

Which completely and totally removes any and all need to do a study.
If only they would have asked you first.

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Guns don't kill people, "with glowing hearts" kills people.