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Reading 1/2:
A. The debate about whether wearing headphones at work or in daily life is beneficial or harmful has led to many studies and opinions.
B. If you visit a typical modern office, you might see many people wearing headphones, listening to different songs, yet you won't hear any of them. Up to half of young workers listen to music with their headphones, and most of them believe it helps them do their jobs better. Surveys consistently show that people feel music makes them happier, improves their concentration, and increases their productivity.
C. However, scientists disagree with this belief. They argue that listening to music can distract people from remembering other important tasks. Whether the music is loud or soft, it reduces overall performance for both outgoing and shy individuals. A study in Taiwan found that music with lyrics lowered concentration levels in college students, and other research showed that music with words can interfere with our brain's ability to process verbal information. One report concluded that since silence leads to the best performance, working in a quiet environment is advisable.
D. So, if headphones are bad for productivity, why do so many people at work use them? One reason is that countries like the USA have shifted from a farming and manufacturing economy to a service one that needs higher levels of concentration, thinking, and creativity. With about 70% of office workers in open-plan spaces, creating a personal sound bubble becomes important. Supporting the argument for headphones at work is evidence that music can relax muscles, improve mood, and slightly reduce blood pressure, heart rate, and anxiety.
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E. Headphones were first invented in 1910 when the US Navy received a letter from an inventor named Nathaniel Baldwin, who claimed to have built a new type of headset that could amplify sound. The Navy tested and adopted the headsets, later called headphones, for use in World War I for naval radio communication.
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F. Headphones offer an individual way to enjoy music, which contrasts with music's traditional purpose of fostering social connections. Nills L. Wallin and Bjorn Merker wrote that music evolved to help with social bonding. While music doesn't leave fossils, evidence of musical notation dates back to ancient Sumeria, 3,500 years ago, and a 44,000-year-old bone flute was found in southern Europe. If music evolved as a social glue for the species, helping to form and maintain groups, headphones have achieved for music what writing and literacy did for language - they made it private.
G. Author Stephen Marche noted that one of the first things people spend money on is creating personal space, a reflection of a long-standing desire for independence. This desire for personal independence and privacy is not limited to Americans. Marche is correct; wealth can buy and modern technology can provide personal independence, which people have always
desired.
H. Dr. Michael Bull from the University of Sussex in the UK has pointed out that personal music devices change how we relate to public spaces. As more people move to urban centers.controlling our public spaces becomes more important. Bull says that while we feel safer in crowded spaces, we don't necessarily want to interact with others. Headphones act as a 'Do not disturb' sign, signaling that the wearer is busy and should be left alone. Some people even wear headphones without listening to anything, just to appear busy.
I. Despite scientists' claims that headphones reduce productivity, people still use them at work. Headphones create private spaces in public areas, and music helps people relax and think.The benefits of relaxation and reflection at work might not show up in immediate productivity metrics, but they can help with problem-solving and creativity. Jonah Lehrer, in his book 'Imagine:How Creativity Works', explained that when we are relaxed, we can focus inward and find answers we might have missed. In a crowded world, headphones create a small, invisible space for our minds, helping us listen to ourselves.
1) What does the writer say about personal independence?
A Personal independence is something that can be purchased.
. . Americans are distinct in their pursuit of personal independence.
B C
. The pursuit of personal independence is a modern trend.
D. Personal independence undermines social relationships.
