February 25, 2022
This article is the author’s opinion.
Kyra TanBose introduced the QuietComfort 2 headphones to create a world that is free from noise. These headphonesBose was the first to isolate the outside world and not produce their own white noise. Bose made it possible to be in close proximity and hear completely different sounds, and still experience the same scene, but with very different mental states.
Headphones are able to create artificial environments in almost any situation. We don’t think about the impact headphones have on our day. They are just part of our daily routine. I believe headphones have had subtle but widespread success in distorting reality. We use them in all sorts of situations, including on the subway, while we study, in car rides, and when trying to fall asleep. They receive little thought beyond their function, cleanliness, battery life, and functionality.
Marshall McLuhan was a philosopher of communication and media. He once said that the medium is what transmits the message. This famous phrase expresses the idea that information becomes more important than the medium through which it is transmitted. In the case modern-day headphones, the medium has a decisive stake in how we perceive the world. Headphones are now mediums that can alter our mood, our thinking, and the filter through which we view the world.
Headphones can influence our mental system by acting as tone setters. Upbeat music is more likely to make us feel upbeat. We may find it more fun to listen to comedy podcasts. This mood alteration can have a significant impact on our perception of the world, at least for as long as we have headphones on. Consider how you walk to class. If headphones are not worn, your thoughts will likely follow a more regular flow. If you have headphones, you can immerse yourself in another auditory realm-especially if they are noise-canceling.
The great ability to isolate in crowded environments is a hallmark of noise-canceling headphones. Artificial isolation is a fascinating tool because it can either be an effective tool or create a dystopian story about disconnect. The subway is where you can see the dystopian side of headphones. While hundreds of people may be surrounded by one another while riding to work, they are all plugged into their own audio reality. Even walking on the quad, someone could be completely immersed into the world of audio they have created. It is almost as if the medium creates a situation in which all users are in close proximity, but with completely different mental realities.
It is interesting to think about headphones, especially noise-canceling, from the perspective of virtual reality. They don’t fit into any particular niche of virtual or augment reality, but they do foster a certain type of additional reality. Recently, I found myself listening to the 90s Skate Shop Spotify playlist. I have never lived through the 90s nor taken up skating. However, I can create a reality of what a skate shop looks like, how it feels, and who is there.
I’m sure that most people create their own playlists to capture a feeling, or situation. These are often very small instances of what a feeling, or situation should be. They likely have more power than that. This is how we operate. A fast-paced, energetic playlist helps us move faster. A slow, melancholy playlist makes us move quicker. It is often difficult to discern whether technology is positive or negative. I believe headphones have made it difficult to see the line. The key to ensuring that the realities we consume don’t consume us is to be aware of when and how they are used.
