The dude to the right is a character from the TV show Fringe named Lincoln Lee. That thing you see in his right ear is not an ear-ring. Rather, it’s a bluetooth-like device worn by characters in the “alternate universe.”

I long for that day in this one. Not for the day that bluetooth earpieces look like jewelry, but for the day when it is socially acceptable to wear these things at all times.

I ran across a neighbor at Safeway. He commented, “You really do always have that thing in your ear, don’t you? Do you sleep in it?”

Not generally, no.

It really has been an ongoing thing for me. Ever since I started listening to stuff at work a few jobs back, I decided that I wanted the ability to listen to things whenever I want. Therefore, the bluetooth is in my ear as often as not during my waking hours. This elicits a various responses. Some people joke about it (leave it in there long enough, your skin is going to grow over it!). I had a former boss who was frustrated by it. I always took it out whenever someone started talking to me, even though I could hear them just fine with it in. After that, I started keeping it out unless I was actively listening to something.

I keep about five of them around, so that I always have multiple ones charged. I suppose it looks goofy. Some might say that it’s rule because it gives the appearance that you’re not listening. I consider that to be a faulty norm. With the exception of discomfort (and I rarely feel that, thanks Plantronics!) there isn’t much reason to ever take it out. Even for someone that is moderately hard-of-hearing as I am.

I hope that this is one of those norms that does change. Maybe they need to do a better job of signalling whether someone is actually on a call or listening to something. However, the perception of it being douchey needs to be retired. We should accept the practicality of it. I don’t know if that day will ever come to pass. I still cling to my belt-holster for my cell phone as it becomes increasingly unacceptable (as phones increasingly fit into pockets). Sometimes, society moves the wrong direction.


Category: Server Room, Theater

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6 Responses to Permanent Earwear

  1. Kirk says:

    You know, bluetooths are one of those things (like Twitter) that I know almost nothing about. I’m guessing they’re like cellphones, but how in the hell do you dial them?

  2. trumwill says:

    The easiest way to think of it (unless you’re looking in to actually looking at using it) is whenever you hear or see the word “bluetooth”, just substitute “wireless.” It’s a type of wireless connection. So the bluetooth earpieces, for example, wireless earpieces rather than actual phones. There are also bluetooth keyboards, mice, and a bunch of other stuff. You can actually connect your phone to a computer with bluetooth, if they’re both bluetooth-capable (if yours isn’t, you can buy a piece of hardware and plug it into a USB port that will make it so).

  3. Scarlet Knight says:

    That thing you see in his right ear is not an ear-ring.

    Human body parts are identified from the perspective of the person being looked at. In other words, it is in his left ear.

    Anyway, you are wrong on this issue. People who wear Blueteeth are clueless at best; obnoxious at worst. I’m not sure I could explain why, but it is a strong gut feeling.

  4. trumwill says:

    You are correct. I should have said left ear.

    Your gut feeling is wrong. Soon to be outdated, I am hoping.

  5. Scarlet Knight says:

    Well considering that you tend to be a weirdo, I think this is another datum point to support that hypothesis. I’m happy when people call the police on people who are loitering, and this is coming from someone who almost never sides with the police.

  6. trumwill says:

    I’m only a weirdo because I am ahead of my time!!

    Okay, yeah, I’m a weirdo in the more general sense.

    Or society itself is weird while I am all about efficiency.

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