Originally Posted by
BobbyG
I also listen to spoken word podcasts at a low volume in my curbside ear. I can hear traffic fine. On the rides I don't listen, or if I don't like the podcast and pull the earbud out I don't feel I gain any extra situational awareness.
My guess would be that picking one horn out of the Manhattan cacophony of horns, and echoes off the buildings, would be daunting in and of its self.
Whats more, I feel that when listening to spoken word podcasts in my curbside ear at a low volume, I can hear traffic better than when I'm in my car with the windows up with no music or podcasts.
However, it's been my experience that when a music clip is played, even in one ear, I start to loose my situational awareness. I think it has something to do with the way the human brain works.
Seems to me NoGlider is correct that the cab driver implied that by beeping his horn, a cyclist ahead of his cab should some some how get out of the cab's way, which is wrong
I second that opinion, mostly, though getting out of the way of a honker if possible may be prudent.
I have posted:
Originally Posted by
PaulRivers
...
I feel safer wearing headphones than not, because my brain sometimes it can rely on my hearing to hear cars behind me, when the only thing that's actually affective is to actually look.
Wearing headphones makes my brain realize that I'd better look - which is far far safer than hoping a car passing me is making enough noise to hear it.
You can't rely on your ears for knowing what's behind you, you have to look.
Originally Posted by
Jim from Boston
Well said, [MENTION=131376]PaulRivers[/MENTION]. I agree that a controllable external auditory source can help to focus on the task at hand, rather than distract.
For myself, I work at preparing reports depending on careful detailed analyses, and I always have a talk show on. It definitely focuses me, even though I don't pay much attention; it's more a background awareness.
It seems to fill in my mind in addition to the current purposeful activity so my concentration has no other place to wander.
In fact, if there is no ambient “distraction,” the silence is deafening (and I don't have to worry about a car plowing into my desk).
I also second [MENTION=389176]Archwhorides[/MENTION] description of Boston cycle commuting:
Originally Posted by
acidfast7
Seriously. You're on a bicycle. If that doesn't chill you, then you have problems. Also, Boston isn't even that busy like here.
Originally Posted by
Archwhorides
Good points you make:
- Bike commuting does help with my sense of chill, no question (compared to driving or mass transit), but.......I still like to have my coffee thermos, and a bit of ambient music in my curbside ear.
- Yes I do have problems (more than anyone here would be interested in hearing about).
- Boston's core is congested, but it's also tiny compared to lots of cities. Consequently most of my 10 mile commute is pretty relaxing (although more-so in the morning than the evening).
especially as I have a reverse commute.
Last edited by Jim from Boston; 04-16-19 at 10:51 PM.
Reason: added quote by acidfast7