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Plugged In, but Tuned Out: The Evil Influence of Ear Buds
Darrell Thomas
I. Invasion of the Body Snatchers:
Have you noticed a change in the world around you recently? Have you seen how more and more people are walking around with little rectangles in their hands or pockets with long wires plugged straight into their ears? At the grocery store yesterday, I counted at least twenty people completely lost in the music provided by their ever-present cell phones. It’s as if the old science-fiction movie Invasion of the Body Snatchers was coming true; we are being overtaken by pod people. So at the risk of appearing to be a crotchety old man complaining about the “good ole days,” I have to make a stance against the evil influences of the cell phone and ear-bud phenomena on our society.
II. A Rational and Well-Thought Out Fear:
Now, I am not a Luddite; I have no desire to go around smashing up every cell phone or technological gadget in sight. I enjoy and benefit from technological advances just like everyone else. I have a microwave, a television, a lap-top computer, and a gas stove, and I use them all practically every day. I am not accusing people listening to music on their cell phones of having detrimental effects upon our society because I hate music either. I profoundly do not hate music—but I do, ridiculous as it sounds, hate when cell phones are used to block out the real world.
III. The Dangers and Distractions of Ear Buds:
People who have ear buds in their ears simply cannot hear danger approaching. All they hear is the pretend soundtrack of their lives. People walking with ear buds in cannot hear a dog dashing up behind them nor can they hear the footsteps of a thief or murderer sneaking up behind him or her either. People who drive their cars with ear buds plugged in their ears (an act that is considered a traffic violation in many states) cannot hear a child screaming or a horn blowing in warning. Cell phones are known to be a factor in many car accidents. I won’t even mention how distracting ear buds plugged into a cell phone can be for a student in a classroom setting! We basically have handed a device to students that invites them to not pay attention to the real world around them.
IV. Narcissism:
Beyond just being distracting and dangerous, ear buds are detrimental and damaging to society as a whole. Ear buds work against a community of listeners. Everyone is walking all over the neighborhood, plugged into their latest favorite playlist, but no one is talking to anyone. People who are addicted to their ear buds don’t care about other people. They don’t want community and contact with the real world. Ear buds also actively destroy live musicians' ability to make a living with their art form. No one wants live music anymore when they can pay less to hear it instantly and privately anytime they want. If we don’t curb our use of ear buds, all our musicians will languish and no new music will be developed.
V. Toss Them In the Trash!
People refuse to recognize the danger of ear buds because they simply love their ear buds too much to give them up. Ear buds are probably doing serious physical damage to their inner eardrums or even the brain itself, but apparently that doesn’t bother anyone. I shudder to think of what the future will be like if we continue on the path of ear bud dependence we’re traveling. Next time you’re tempted to plug in and tune out, remember my warning. Either we learn to live without ear buds, or we’re going to turn into a nation of complete zombies. Is that where you want to live?
Question
Determine which of the statements are claims from the passage and which are counter-claims.
Put responses in the correct input to answer the question. Select a response, navigate to the desired input and insert the response. Responses can be selected and inserted using the space bar, enter key, left mouse button or touchpad. Responses can also be moved by dragging with a mouse.
Claims Counter-claims
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Claims:
1. People who have ear buds in their ears simply cannot hear danger approaching.
2. Cell phones are known to be a factor in many car accidents.
3. Ear buds are detrimental and damaging to society as a whole.
4. Ear buds work against a community of listeners.
5. Ear buds also actively destroy live musicians' ability to make a living with their art form.
6. Ear buds are probably doing serious physical damage to their inner eardrums or even the brain itself.
Counter-claims:
1. I am not accusing people listening to music on their cell phones of having detrimental effects upon our society because I hate music either.
2. People who drive their cars with ear buds plugged in their ears cannot hear a child screaming or a horn blowing in warning.
3. No one wants live music anymore when they can pay less to hear it instantly and privately anytime they want.
4. People refuse to recognize the danger of ear buds because they simply love their ear buds too much to give them up.
Claims:
1. "We are being overtaken by pod people." - Claim
2. "I have to make a stance against the evil influences of the cell phone and ear-bud phenomena on our society." - Claim
3. "People who have ear buds in their ears simply cannot hear danger approaching." - Claim
4. "Cell phones are known to be a factor in many car accidents." - Claim
5. "Ear buds work against a community of listeners." - Claim
6. "Ear buds also actively destroy live musicians' ability to make a living with their art form." - Claim
7. "Ear buds are probably doing serious physical damage to their inner eardrums or even the brain itself." - Claim
Counter-claims:
1. "Now, I am not a Luddite; I have no desire to go around smashing up every cell phone or technological gadget in sight." - Counter-claim
2. "I am not accusing people listening to music on their cell phones of having detrimental effects upon our society because I hate music either." - Counter-claim
3. "Beyond just being distracting and dangerous, ear buds are detrimental and damaging to society as a whole." - Counter-claim
4. "No one wants live music anymore when they can pay less to hear it instantly and privately anytime they want." - Counter-claim
5. "People refuse to recognize the danger of ear buds because they simply love their ear buds too much to give them up." - Counter-claim
6. "Next time you’re tempted to plug in and tune out, remember my warning. Either we learn to live without ear buds, or we’re going to turn into a nation of complete zombies." - Counter-claim
To determine which statements are claims and which are counter-claims in the passage, we need to identify statements that assert a position or make a statement of fact (claims) and statements that present opposing viewpoints or refute the claims made (counter-claims). Let's analyze the passage and categorize the statements accordingly:
Claims:
1. "We are being overtaken by pod people." - This statement asserts that people with earbuds plugged into their ears resemble characters from the movie "Invasion of the Body Snatchers."
2. "I profoundly do not hate music—but I do, ridiculous as it sounds, hate when cell phones are used to block out the real world." - This statement expresses a personal dislike for using cell phones to isolate oneself from the surrounding environment.
3. "People who have earbuds in their ears simply cannot hear danger approaching." - This statement claims that wearing earbuds impairs one's ability to hear potential dangers.
4. "Ear buds work against a community of listeners." - This statement argues that earbuds hinder social interaction and prevent meaningful connections between people.
5. "Ear buds also actively destroy live musicians' ability to make a living with their art form." - This statement asserts that the popularity of earbuds negatively impacts live musicians economically.
Counter-claims:
1. "Now, I am not a Luddite [...] I have no desire to go around smashing up every cell phone or technological gadget in sight." - This statement presents a counter-argument that the author does not oppose all forms of technology.
2. "I won’t even mention how distracting ear buds plugged into a cell phone can be for a student in a classroom setting!" - This statement suggests that using earbuds in a classroom can be a distraction, offering a counter-argument to their use.
3. "Everyone is walking all over the neighborhood, plugged into their latest favorite playlist, but no one is talking to anyone." - This statement contradicts the idea that earbuds hinder social interaction by highlighting the popularity of using them in public spaces.
4. "People refuse to recognize the danger of ear buds because they simply love their ear buds too much to give them up." - This statement suggests that people's attachment to earbuds prevents them from acknowledging any negative consequences, offering a counter-argument to the claims made.
Based on this analysis, the claims in the passage are statements 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5, while the counter-claims are statements 1, 2, 3, and 4.