Graphic by Chandler Littleford/The Choate News
No, they don’t fall out.
Or, the infamous classic: I can’t hear you because I don’t speak broke!
By now, you’ve definitely either seen someone wear them or heard someone mention them, probably within these last couple days or even at some point this morning. After AirPods experienced a huge surge in popularity following a drop in their price, it seems that you can now find these wireless headphones on every corner — memes built on poking fun at AirPod users even more so. And it’s no surprise that users and non-users alike have made AirPods the butt of so many jokes — not only because they’re so much more expensive than their wired counterparts, but also because of the awkwardness of attempting to talk to someone who has AirPods in.
Having hopped onto the bandwagon myself a while ago, I feel the need to acknowledge their appeal. AirPods are really convenient, can connect with basically any Bluetooth device, and offer a solution for the increasing number of mobile devices lacking normal headphone jacks.
But I also recognize the potential dangers: as we utilize this technology, we end up spending more and more time in our own little bubbles. Sometimes when you see people on the street or in different buildings on campus, you can find that — despite their physical presence — they’re not really there. In an age when we’re constantly being bombarded with new information, AirPods are just another thing keeping us occupied.
I think many of the real issues that Choate students have faced with AirPods, though, go beyond the scope of this specific piece of technology. I’ve had teachers and fellow students point out entire tables of people in the dining hall engrossed in their individual devices. It’s certainly not conducive for discussion, and has, in some cases, stunted not just the dining hall experience but other instances when members of the School come together. AirPods have only contributed to an already existing problem. Efforts to make Choate students more present participants on campus — participants that are fully aware of their surroundings and appreciative of the time they get to spend with the people around them — can appear futile against the pervasive popularity of AirPods and mobile devices in general.
While it’s amazing that we have access to the advanced technology in today’s world, it is important to keep in mind the potential moments of togetherness and collaboration we throw away when we let certain things consistently take up our attention and mind space. All of us can benefit from a reminder to spend some time in our day to simply enjoy being a part of this community.
