In comments on portable music, Ralf writes I guess this won’t whet your appetite for the iPod or its little sibling:
During his regular evening walk, software executive Steve Crandall often nods a polite greeting to other iPod users he passes: He easily spots the distinctive white earbuds threaded from pocket to ears.
But while quietly enjoying some chamber music one evening in August, Crandall’s polite nodding protocol was rudely shattered.
Crandall was boldly approached by another iPod user, a 30ish woman bopping enthusiastically to some high-energy tune.
“She walked right up to me and got within my comfort field,” Crandall stammered. “I was taken aback. She pulled out the earbuds on her iPod and indicated the jack with her eyes.”
Warily unplugging his own earbuds, Crandall gingerly plugged them into the woman’s iPod […]
Oh dear Ghod. Don’t we have a social contract, and laws, and rules, and mores, specifically to keep us safe from things like this? Get away from me, you freaks!
Hee! I remember reading that in November, and didn’t even think about it. I bet the practice is widespread by now.
Along with nasty ear infections.
Why would they get ear infections? They’re not sharing earpieces, just moving the jacks.
At least, I hope that’s what they’re doing.
Who said anything about ear infections?
Some thirty inches from my nose
The frontier of my Person goes,
And all the untilled air between
Is private pagus or demesne.
Stranger, unless with bedroom eyes
I beckon you to fraternize,
Beware of rudely crossing it:
I have no gun, but I can spit.
— W.H. Auden
Oh shit, I see who mentioned ear infections. As far as I can tell, they’re just swapping jacks.
Ah, I misread. For some reason I thought they were swapping the ear buds, which would be disgusting.
PS: In my defense, I just came from a conversation about hand washing, and was in a particularly germy state of mind.
I thought they were swapping the ear buds, which would be disgusting.
Yes. Yes, it would. Ew.
*shudder*
See? Now, in retrospect, doesn’t what they are actually doing seem much more normal and harmless, and even a bit… attractive?
(There’s a reason they’re named iPODs, after all)
and think of all the ‘special tracks’ you can put on for those moments.
– Whispering voice with Sisters of Mercy over the top “They all hate you. You’re going to die. Kill. Kill. Kill.”
– Recording of TV Evangelist preaching the Lord’s word.
– Farting noises.
– Sound of whips and people screaming.
– Shrill whistle going off.
Come on, you can think of some too 😀
R
Don’t tempt me. It was my first thought when reading the article. (My second had to do with “ear-buds” and isn’t worth sharing. Really.)