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Would you tell a stranger to turn down their headphones?
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Mark Brezinski
Published on May 12, 2008
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We recently stumbled upon an "ask the internet" page, which posed the question, "Have you ever been riding on mass transit next to someone whose headphones are so loud you can hear them several feet away? If so, do you ask them to turn it down?" In the following replies, we found a few interesting insights, such as comparing loud playback to conversations of the same volume. There are also a few gems, where people voiced their fear of getting stabbed should they speak up.
We personally don't mind hearing other peoples' music on public transportation, but we also keep our music private out of consideration for others. We therefore can't consider ourselves experts on the topic. In the interest of science and the accumulation of knowledge, we've come up with a potential method of testing the relation between volume level, stab threat level, and the frequency at which people tell us to turn down our music.
Also, as a side-experiment, we could throw stab threat caution to the wind and ask some of these mobile stereos if they're aware their headphones have open backs.
 Hypothesis: There is a weak relation between volume level, stab threat level, and the frequency at which people tell us to turn down our music. We believe most those in the "stab threat level deters us from requesting volume decrease" camp are non-confrontational by nature, and would always find excuses for not requesting said volume decrease. Likewise, if someone would ask another to turn down the volume of your music, chances are tthey'd do so regardless of stab threat level. We also hypothesize that, if stab level is abnormally high, no one at all would ask for volume reduction.
Procedure: For the purposes of this experiment, stab threat level will be moderated by a mixture of clothing, demeanor, and the type of music being listened to. We will initially test each stab threat level as a whole.
Stab Threat Level
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Clothing |
Demeanor |
Music |
Level 0:
Control, no risk of stabbing
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Torso: button-up shirt, sensible sweater
Legs: pressed khakis
Footwear: loafers
Misc.: nice-looking watch |
Shy, introverted, hands folded in lap, slight grin |
"The Space Between," Dave Matthews |
Level 1: Virtually no chance of stabbing
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Torso: bright t-shirt
Legs: cargo shorts
Footwear: Neon green sneakers
Misc.: plastic jewelry, pacifier, tinted sunglasses |
Generally happy, very into music, eyes closed, bobbing head |
"Be My Lover," La Bouche |
Level 2:
Vague fear of stabbing, actual risk very low
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Torso: Fubu shirt, starched denim jacket
Legs: starched dark-wash jeans
Footwear: Timberlands
Misc.: gold chain |
Stand-offish, angry pout, bobbing head, audibly saying lyrics |
"Gangsta Gangsta," NWA |
Level 3:
Medium risk of accidental stabbing, low risk of intentional stabbing
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Torso: ripped Misfits T-shirt held together with surgical stitching
Legs: ripped, acid-washed jeans safety-pinned together over neon green leggings
Footwear: Doc Martins
Misc.: neon pink mohawk, tattoos on head and face, many dagger-shaped piercings
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Violently banging head to music, screeching out lyrics, swinging from nearby fixtures (if applicable) |
"Bottled Violence," Minor Threat |
Level 4:
Very high risk of very intentional stabbing
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Torso: bloody butcher's apron, no shirt
Legs: pants crudely fashioned from a garbage bag
Footwear: tube socks and a single dirty slipper
Misc.: knife |
Vacant, empty look in eyes, alternates growling/mumbling either lyrics or gibberish, constantly stabbing a stuffed Teddy Ruxpin
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"I Stab People," ICP |
If results from testing each Stab Threat Level as a group are inconclusive, or boring, we will mix and match categories.
Lab note: Stab Threat Level 2+ clothing and demeanor mixed with Level 0 or 1 music is likely to be funny. |
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