"Frustrated members of the public have taken to social media to vent about the issue, hoping for good advice. But what they usually get is a warning, such as, 'You think these guys don't know they're being obnoxious? Of course they do: they just don't give a sh- about you or anyone else on the train.'"
"I'm not scared of 'eating a box cutter,' because despite what the post above implied, most of the people I've seen on speakerphone don't seem aggressive or purposely obnoxious. Many are middle-aged, and their basic affect is just... oblivious."
"Indeed, this was the explanation that USA Today came up with in 2024. People have just become (I am paraphrasing here) unconsciously self-centered jerk faces who don't even think about how annoying their behavior might be in public spaces. Perhaps the pandemic is to blame, or the solipsism of the smartphone."
Public speakerphone use on public transportation has become a widespread annoyance, prompting frustrated commuters to seek advice on social media. However, confrontation rarely occurs, partly due to safety concerns and partly because most speakerphone users appear unconsciously self-centered rather than deliberately obnoxious. Many are middle-aged individuals seemingly unaware of their behavior's impact. USA Today attributed this trend to pandemic-induced behavioral changes and smartphone solipsism, though these explanations lack empirical support. People generally resist criticism from strangers in public spaces. The phenomenon raises questions about whether public speakerphone use is actually increasing, what drives this behavior, and how to address it effectively.
#public-speakerphone-use #public-transit-etiquette #social-behavior #pandemic-effects #smartphone-culture
Read at Ars Technica
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