I'm at the library. I was all set on listening to music and catching up on House...but lately the library staff has put plastic ties on all the headphone chords so that they can't be taken from the computers. To the naked eye this seems like a very positive thing. But as we all know, sometimes intent has nothing to do with consequence.
The problem now is that the headphone chords themselves are tied in knots in order for the plastic ties to most securely adhere them to the computer. Sometimes when headphones are tied in knots like this, similar to a garden hose, the sound becomes distorted. At many work stations I can hear only fragments of sound, if that. This is obviously extremely annoying.
The question is then, "So what should the library staff do...take off the ties and allow people to take the headphones?" Obviously I don't want this either. But I wouldn't mind the concept of going back to the drawing board. I can't help but compare this situation to the general and most recent idea of government regulation...The notion of quick fixes that promptly solve the immediate problem but simultaneously create a brand new one. The decision-making process is a sacred one. It deserves respect. More on this later.
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