The Walkman at 46: A Blast from the Past (and a Glimpse into a Dystopian Future)
The Sony Walkman's 46th anniversary prompts reflection on its controversial debut in 1979. Its lightweight design revolutionized personal music, but the rise of headphone-wearing pedestrians sparked anxieties about social isolation and public safety. Critics decried it as a symbol of individualism, even comparing it to a societal 'depressant'. Several US states enacted restrictions on headphone use while driving or cycling, with Woodbridge, New Jersey, famously banning headphone use while crossing the street – a law tested by Oscar Gross, who was fined for civil disobedience. This historical episode serves as a reminder that nostalgia often overlooks the initial resistance faced by new technologies, highlighting how the 'good old days' weren't always so good.
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