this post was submitted on 12 Mar 2026
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Technology

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Explain it like I'm 5: Why is everyone on speakerphone in public? (arstechnica.com)
submitted 11 hours ago by Powderhorn@beehaw.org to c/technology@beehaw.org
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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.

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[–] its_me_xiphos@beehaw.org 3 points 3 hours ago (1 children)

The Kardashians and any reality show that needs to showcase a phone call for the audience. That is exactly how this all got to the level it did. People who watched and were raised on that media learned to use a phone like that and do.

That's my theory.

[–] Powderhorn@beehaw.org 1 points 2 hours ago

You're making me feel very old. Reality TV was what permanently turned me off of linear programming. I gradually started learning about the Kardashians via memes in comments.