Explain it like I'm 5: Why is everyone on speakerphone in public
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@arstechnica there was a link between brain cancer and holding a microwave transmitter to one's ear, I'm pretty sure
@draNgNon @arstechnica gonna need a source for that one, my guy. Lots of people are in fact worried about this, but that doesn't make it a real or significant risk.
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Explain it like I'm 5: Why is everyone on speakerphone in public?
Your phone still functions when held to your ear, people!
https://arstechnica.com/culture/2026/03/explain-it-like-im-5-why-is-everyone-on-speakerphone-in-public/?utm_brand=arstechnica&utm_social-type=owned&utm_source=mastodon&utm_medium=social@arstechnica this isn't even a top 10 best SEPTA social shaming sign.
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@arstechnica completely agree, except that I literally can’t hear my 8 year old phone unless it’s on speaker. I put it on speaker and still hold it to my ear. Luckily I rarely take phone calls and almost never in public.
@alpinefolk tangentially related, but i was talking to a friend about phone calls the other day, and i said that i like my ringtone and it's funny but nobody hears it because i never get phone calls and when i do my phone is on silent 100% of the time anyways
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@alpinefolk tangentially related, but i was talking to a friend about phone calls the other day, and i said that i like my ringtone and it's funny but nobody hears it because i never get phone calls and when i do my phone is on silent 100% of the time anyways
@Shenanigans ha. Same situation.
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Explain it like I'm 5: Why is everyone on speakerphone in public?
Your phone still functions when held to your ear, people!
https://arstechnica.com/culture/2026/03/explain-it-like-im-5-why-is-everyone-on-speakerphone-in-public/?utm_brand=arstechnica&utm_social-type=owned&utm_source=mastodon&utm_medium=social@arstechnica Yeah - it irritates the hell out of me. -
Explain it like I'm 5: Why is everyone on speakerphone in public?
Your phone still functions when held to your ear, people!
https://arstechnica.com/culture/2026/03/explain-it-like-im-5-why-is-everyone-on-speakerphone-in-public/?utm_brand=arstechnica&utm_social-type=owned&utm_source=mastodon&utm_medium=social -
@arstechnica apparently it's because the Kardashians do it, so now everybody does it. Kardashians do it because it's necessary for the viewers to hear both sides of the conversation. The twats who do it everywhere now haven't figured out that nobody else needs to hear both sides of their conversations.
@robparsons @arstechnica this is the best explanation I’ve heard, too. And I think knit’s reasonable to generalize it to, the tv shows have to show the calls, they use speakerphone, and people are copying them. It’s in all shows now
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@robparsons @arstechnica surely it's because you can't use the phone for calendar or notes if it's by your head, screens feel rotten against your ear and you ear-print the screen. If I've no headset, I prefer speaker. Not in public, though.
@mjr @robparsons @arstechnica here I am like an old person saying "hold on a sec, I'll put you down and see what's in my calendar.... OK I'm back"
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Explain it like I'm 5: Why is everyone on speakerphone in public?
Your phone still functions when held to your ear, people!
https://arstechnica.com/culture/2026/03/explain-it-like-im-5-why-is-everyone-on-speakerphone-in-public/?utm_brand=arstechnica&utm_social-type=owned&utm_source=mastodon&utm_medium=social@arstechnica I prefer speaker, but not in public. Who are these people?! I hope this never happens near me, because when it does imma join the conversation.
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Explain it like I'm 5: Why is everyone on speakerphone in public?
Your phone still functions when held to your ear, people!
https://arstechnica.com/culture/2026/03/explain-it-like-im-5-why-is-everyone-on-speakerphone-in-public/?utm_brand=arstechnica&utm_social-type=owned&utm_source=mastodon&utm_medium=social@arstechnica Fucking HATE IT. Same with assholes playing music on blast when they bike or walk on trails. Use fucking headphones!
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@arstechnica Fucking HATE IT. Same with assholes playing music on blast when they bike or walk on trails. Use fucking headphones!
@dysamoria @arstechnica PREACH!
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Explain it like I'm 5: Why is everyone on speakerphone in public?
Your phone still functions when held to your ear, people!
https://arstechnica.com/culture/2026/03/explain-it-like-im-5-why-is-everyone-on-speakerphone-in-public/?utm_brand=arstechnica&utm_social-type=owned&utm_source=mastodon&utm_medium=social@arstechnica It is an irritating habit
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@arstechnica Fucking HATE IT. Same with assholes playing music on blast when they bike or walk on trails. Use fucking headphones!
@dysamoria @arstechnica Halleluja
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Explain it like I'm 5: Why is everyone on speakerphone in public?
Your phone still functions when held to your ear, people!
https://arstechnica.com/culture/2026/03/explain-it-like-im-5-why-is-everyone-on-speakerphone-in-public/?utm_brand=arstechnica&utm_social-type=owned&utm_source=mastodon&utm_medium=social@arstechnica could be cause people don't wish to be close to a high frequency emitter
