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© 2000-2008 Anton Zuiker, a Zuiker Chronicles Online website. Sweetened with Textpattern, Textdrive, OSX, skEdit and memories of Paama.
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Reach out and touch someone
Dave Winer writes about getting bumped on the sidewalks by iPod- and cellphone-toting people. That reminded me of the time I really became aware of the mobility of phone conversations.
I knew all about car phones and the first generation of mobile phones from my days working on the technology-savvy Rich Harvest Farms, but my time as a Peace Corps Volunteer on the nearly technology-free island of Paama set me up for a shock when Erin and I visited New Zealand.
On our first day in Auckland, we were walking down the street. Ahead of me, a man in a business suit was walking toward me, talking animately. I thought he was crazy, until I noticed, just as he passed me, that there was a cord hanging from his ear to a cell phone in his coat pocket. Later that day, we rented a cell phone of our own, and carried that around the North and South islands. One of the first phone calls we got on that came while I was in the locker room of a hot springs. Of course, it was my mom calling to check in on me.
I’ve had my own cell phone for nearly six years, and an iPod for two, but when I walk through town or across campus, I still like to keep them in my courier bag. One the joys of working in Chapel Hill is walking across the oak-forested quads, and when I smile at students and say hello to whoever makes contact, I get the sense they think I’m as crazy as I thought that Kiwi businessman was.
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Anton Zuiker's personal website and
I have a good amount of bike commute time to wear earbuds connected to an ipod if I wanted too. But I figured I rather hear that car that’s about to side swipe me than hear the latest podcast. Plus I’ve begun to really appreciate my hearing. I’ve been to so MANY loud concerts I know its damaged my hearing. I remember that Metalica concert making my ears ring for three days stright!
My appreciation for the details in the sounds I hear really happened when I started recording audio allot. Its the subilties, quite sounds, and blends of sound that are so worth paying attention too. I do love the deep bass booming outa’ car trunks tho’. Its your chest that feels that more than your ears. :)
I have two friends who are audiologist. I’m convinced they are going to be very busy helping people in about 10 – 20 years.
— BrianR Sep 21, 11:08 AM #