Wasn’t it Hermann Göring: who reputedly said when I hear the word culture, I reach for my revolver? I feel the same way about earphones, well people wearing them outside to be exact.
There was a time when you could talk to people on the street, in shops, in the lift, at least in Dublin anyway, but now everyone is plugged into something, and the art of conversation with strangers is dead.
There was such joy to be had on even a short perambulation through the city, hailing passers-by with a hearty ‘good day’ and engaging one’s fellow man in a little light banter. But no more. Now the only reply is a blank stare. The lights are on, but the occupant is elsewhere. Is life so tedious we need constant distraction? Are we so fearful of being left alone with our thoughts?
And what of the dangers? I cycle every day, and I have no clue how it is done safely without the ability to hear what’s going on around you. It is my ears rather than my eyes which have saved me from many a nasty crash and, I do not doubt that many of the countless accidents I’ve witnessed have been caused by earphones!
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