Tuesday, June 13, 2006

Kids These Days...

So apparently a new ringtone has been invented that is so high pitched that adults cannot hear it and thus it is meant for kids to hear when they don't want adults to know about their electronic correspondence. You can sample the ringtone on the article's website. Now call me crazy, but is it just another sign that I'm getting old since I thought it was a little painful to listen to?

8 comments:

lakhawk said...

No, not old, just sensible. The "ringtone" was actually created by a Welsh (I think) security firm to keep teens from loitering outside of a client's store. It's supposed to be annoying and/or painful.

Law Fairy said...

I'm confused -- they can make a ringtone that kids can hear and adults can't? Next thing, they'll be having kids' imaginary friends tell them when they have an incoming call. It just sounds... um, unscientific?

lakhawk said...

Actually, it's very scientific. As you age, your hearing naturally deteriorates, particularly in the higher register. While not necessarily universal, it's a fact that has been widely tested and documented.

Law Fairy said...

Well, I get that people lose their hearing as they age (too many young punk rock concerts finally catching up, haha!), but I can't see how it would actually work. Like, if my teen is 14, and I'm 38, somehow my age means I can't hear it? What if I have really good hearing? What if I didn't go to a lot of rock concerts as a young punk teen? And what if I was a baby mama (not to be confused with a babymomma) and my kid's only like 14 years younger than me?

Such a weird thing to market, anyway. I mean, um, who do they think will be paying the bills?

Pope-rah said...

fuck, i feel old. I was hoping I'd be able to hear it but no. damn technology!

Busted said...

Since when did kids and dogs become interchangeable? Can we also give them beggin' strips if we want them to leave us alone? If so, let the procreation commence!

lakhawk said...

law fairy - it has nothing to do with loud music or damaging your hearing. It eventually happens to almost everyone, you just can't hear the higher register as well. So basically, this "ring tone" will be a much better plan in crazy old Mrs. Miller's algebra calss than it would in say, US History with the cute young guy that's only a year or two out of college.

Not-So-Naughty Voyeur said...

I had read that article a few days ago, and had kids in my office. SO I played the tone, and it annoyed all of them. And all of us old folks.