The article discusses how the prevalence of earbuds in New York City has transformed public spaces into isolated environments. With 60-75% of pedestrians using earbuds, people are physically present but mentally elsewhere, leading to one-sided conversations in public. This phenomenon inhibits spontaneous social interactions, making simple engagements like asking for directions nearly impossible. The piece critiques the irony of this technology meant to connect us further deepening our social solitude.
My unscientific surveys lead me to conclude that 60 to 75 percent of New Yorkers do their ambling, jogging, striding, and sitting with little plastic-wrapped electronic orbs shoved into their ears.
Being so comprehensively plugged in, though, makes it almost impossible to interact with the people you see in front of you.
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