The key to working at a place like Ars Technica is solid news judgment. [eds note: tell that to Benj Edwards] I’m talking about the kind of news judgment that knows whether a pet peeve is merely a pet peeve or whether it is, instead, a meaningful example of the Ways that Technology is Changing our World.
The difference between the two is one of degree: A pet peeve may drive me nuts but does not appear to impact anyone else. A Ways that Technology is Changing our World story must be about something that drives a lot of people nuts.
“But where is the threshold?” I hear you asking plaintively. “It’s extremely important that I know when something crosses the line from pet peeve to important, chin-stroking journalism topic!”
Fortunately, the answer is simple. The threshold has been breached when your local public transit agency puts up a sign about the behavior in question.
Which brings me to the sign I saw yesterday in Philadelphia.
“Unless the tea is REALLY hot, keep the call off speaker,” it said.
(For those not in the US, “tea” in this context means gossip or news.)
I fucking hate speakerphone and don’t use it even in my van unless a photo or document is shared during the conversation that needs to be addressed.
Ive done this twice, but most recently,
I was in a doctor’s waiting room where an older fella is brainrot scrolling videos. I’m trying to read my book and ignore it, but the sounds are so annoying. So, I as politely as I can, turn to him and ask, “Sir, Im sorry to bother you, it’s a bit loud, do you think you can turn it down?” He snaps at me, “Ma’am”, he fucking ma’med me, “Ma’am, my volume is only at half, it’s fine”. I said, “Oh yeah? Bet, mine too” and hit play on the Suicide Silence (deathcore) I queued up.
The first time I did this, the person pulled out headphones immediately (maybt They Art is Murder works better), This guy kept going, so I placed my phone on the floor in front of me and pretended(tried) to read my book until I got called.
Fire with Fire