The story reports that the Walkman changed people's opinions about wearing headphones. (The kind of listening earpieces, even paired in a framework, used with the Walkman I usually think of as "earphones," but I see that the contemporary news story called them headphones, back in the day.) What I most remember about the Walkman is that it liberated public places from boomboxes, unaffectionately known as "ghetto blasters," which I used to hear all too often when I was out in public as a student and as a recent university graduate.
AFTER EDIT: And after thinking about this some more, and after pondering the other comments kindly posted here, I think maybe the future of Google Glass will depend in part on whether wearing Google Glass is seen as eliminating a disgusting previous habit (like looking down at one's lap to text while driving) or is seen as a new disgusting habit with no good purpose. I have no idea what most people will think about this--I have still never seen anyone with Google Glass on in my part of the country.
In my view, one thing about any wearable device is that people form an impression of what you're doing with it. That's what makes it socially acceptable or not in the long run.
Earphones / buds / blueteeth don't have unlimited social acceptance. If you're talking to me while wearing headphones, I might ask you to take them off, especially if you're one of my kids. If I see you wearing them while while careening towards me on your bike, I might dive for cover. If I see someone wearing them while communing with nature, I might think they're weird.
If any prediction is possible, I'd guess that Google Glasses will also gain some sort of conditional social acceptance based on what they are capable of being used for.
>What I most remember about the Walkman is that it liberated public places from boomboxes, unaffectionately known as "ghetto blasters," which I used to hear all too often when I was out in public as a student and as a recent university graduate.
Smartphones are the new jamboxes. (that's what I always call them) Haven't you ever been walking around in public with someone blaring music out their smartphone speakers? Happens all the time. It's the jambox trend all over again, except smartphone speakers are terrible quality so it's 100% more annoying. Someone was sitting in a crowded (yet oddly quiet) train station doing it.
>I think maybe the future of Google Glass will depend in part on whether wearing Google Glass is seen as eliminating a disgusting previous habit (like looking down at one's lap to text while driving)
How could looking forward while texting and driving by any less distracting? I've already posted this elsewhere by "hands free" texting is just as distracting. We need to chill the fuck out and realize that text can wait. See my other comment here for sources: https://qht.co/item?id=7151678
I would like a return of ghetto blasters. Those things are cool and I have one wired up to an ipad cut into it to play tunes.
I have a google glass too and I don't wear it so much in public. You can't really see it with a hat - probably mounted in real glasses and long hair or a hat is best.
I'd hold up for the contacts over the eyes, this is sort of a half step that will be great proving ground - but ultimately too invasive into life - like at a partttty!
AFTER EDIT: And after thinking about this some more, and after pondering the other comments kindly posted here, I think maybe the future of Google Glass will depend in part on whether wearing Google Glass is seen as eliminating a disgusting previous habit (like looking down at one's lap to text while driving) or is seen as a new disgusting habit with no good purpose. I have no idea what most people will think about this--I have still never seen anyone with Google Glass on in my part of the country.