ANTHMETHGRP4-2425-LIAT-FAINMAN-ADELMAN

[Last modified: December, 9 2024 04:04 PM]

Pilot research project

• This research explores headphone usage in public spaces, focusing on what it reveals about evolving social norms and behaviours.
• It examines how headphones shape or reflect interactions in public, with a specific focus on socialising (or the lack thereof).
• The study will investigate headphone use on the tube, comparing findings to cultural norms in other countries.
• Adopting an anthropological lens, the research emphasises how people use headphones to connect with peers, strangers, and their environment.

Research questions

1. How do people use headphones in public spaces like the tube to navigate interactions with peers, strangers, or their environment?
2. In what ways does headphone usage promote or hinder social connections in public spaces?
3. What drives individuals to use headphones in public e.g. are they seeking escape, productivity, connection, or something else?
4. How do cultural norms around headphone usage differ, and what do these differences suggest about broader social behaviours in public spaces?

Methods

• Observations: Conducting fieldwork in public, for example on the tube, during various times of day to observe headphone usage. I would look at the number of people using headphones in different contexts (e.g. commuting solo vs. in groups), behavioural patterns (e.g. eye contact, conversations) and demographics (i.e. who’s more likely to be wearing headphones.
• Comparative Analysis: Comparing findings from the tube in London with secondary research or firsthand observations in other cultural contexts (e.g. subway systems in Japan, New York, or France) to see cultural variations in headphone norms.
• Interviews: Conduct interviews with participants who frequently use headphones in public spaces. Questions will explore:
  • Why they choose to wear headphones in public.
  • What they aim to accomplish (e.g., escape, productivity, comfort).
  • Their perceptions of how headphone use affects their social experiences and interactions.
  • Whether they feel satisfied or disconnected from their surroundings as a result.

Potential challenges and risks

• Approaching strangers for interviews may be challenging, especially in high-traffic or fast-paced settings like the tube. Alternative methods, such as distributing online surveys or leveraging social media, could supplement face-to-face interviews.
• Ethical considerations will be crucial, particularly regarding privacy in public spaces during observations.

[Last modified: November, 30 2024 05:45 PM]

[Last modified: November, 23 2024 03:45 PM]

During our discussion about collaborative observation, what struck me most was how differently we each imagined approaching the task of studying people listening to music on headphones in public. While we all agreed that focusing on non-verbal and non-textual elements was key, what stood out to us varied quite a bit.

Some of us talked about observing the body: small movements like tapping feet, subtle nods, or even how someone’s shoulders relaxed or tensed depending on the music they might be listening to. Others were more drawn to the objects themselves (e.g. headphones) and what they might say about the listener. Are big, over-ear headphones a way to signal isolation, or are they just practical for better sound? And what about earbuds that almost disappear? Someone pointed out that those choices might have as much to do with the physical experience of carrying them as any symbolic meaning.

For me, I was drawn to the atmosphere headphones create—not just for the listener but for the space around them. How does a person’s private music world shape their interaction with their surroundings? I thought about the tube, where the sound of trains screeching and conversations mix, and wondered how much people use music to block that out versus to enhance their commute. It’s tricky because these private sensory experiences are hard to access—we can only infer through gestures or guess based on how they move through the space.

Another challenge we talked about was how much we project our own assumptions onto others. I sometimes wonder if someone’s tapping foot means they’re enjoying a song, if they are anxious or perhaps have an attention disorder. And how do we account for the ethics of observing people in their private, yet publicly visible, routines?

We left the discussion thinking about how to balance observation with interpretation, and how headphones seem to sit right at the edge of the personal and the public, making them an interesting focal point for investigating embodied and sensory experiences in shared spaces.

[Last modified: November, 15 2024 05:09 PM]

Sitting alone in a café feels like the perfect place to think about how the body and society interact, especially when it comes to using devices. The first thing I noticed was how natural it felt to pull out my phone or laptop, as if holding a device gave me a purpose in the space. Just having it in my hands—head tilted down, shoulders slightly hunched—helped me feel less vulnerable, even though it also meant retreating into my own little world. It’s funny how something so small can completely shift how you fit into a room.

But this isn’t just about me. The same dynamic seemed to play out all around the café. Being alone without some kind of “distraction” feels out of place, like it breaks an unspoken rule. Everyone I saw had their devices close—whether to scroll, type, or just hold—and those gestures seemed to legitimize their presence, almost like a silent permission to be there alone. At the same time, the body was always part of the equation: the way people adjusted their phones, tapped their screens, or leaned into their laptops created this rhythm that blended into the buzz of the café.

Sometimes, though, the body broke through the screen’s pull. A loud laugh from across the room or the clatter of a cup being set down made some people look up. Others sank even further into their phones, using them as a buffer. In groups, this push and pull stood out even more. Friends might pass a phone around, laughing at a photo, or sit silently, each absorbed in their own feed. It was striking to see how devices could either bring people together or drive them further apart, depending on how they were used.

It made me wonder: are these little screens helping us navigate shared spaces, or just giving us new ways to hide?

[Last modified: November, 10 2024 02:45 PM]

My research on everyday device use—particularly smartphones and headphones—explores how these technologies shape human interactions in public spaces. I want to understand if, and how, these devices foster a sense of connection among people, or if they act more like barriers. I find myself drawn to the ways people use technology to either lean into social interactions or escape from them, especially as the lines between pro-social and anti-social behaviors become blurred.

There’s a subtle political dimension here, as my project questions the societal role of technology and whether it genuinely connects us. The act of viewing certain uses as “escapist” reflects a cultural critique—that perhaps we’re too engrossed in our screens and missing out on real-world connections. This assumption carries a bias of my own, one that reflects a growing concern over the effects of screen time on mental well-being.

The implications of my findings could potentially influence how we view technology use in public spaces. For instance, if the research shows that devices mainly foster isolation, it might fuel arguments for creating “phone-free” areas or initiatives that encourage in-person socialization, especially for younger people. To keep my own assumptions from overly shaping the results, I plan to include open-ended interview questions and embrace a reflexive approach. That way, I can capture participants’ experiences without pushing them into predefined “pro-social” or “anti-social” boxes, making room for a more nuanced understanding of how technology impacts our sense of connection.

[Last modified: October, 28 2024 12:39 PM]

The Grafton Arms near UCL felt suspended in a quiet that doesn’t quite fit central London. It was nearly empty, with only a few murmurs passing between the bartender and a lone staff member. In the corner sat an older man – I would guess to be about mid-70s – with a pint glass instead of a companion. His shoulders slumped slightly as he leaned over his phone, scrolling slowly through video after video.

Every now and then, he paused, his face breaking into a slight grin or giving a faint snort as if something on the screen caught him off guard. The expressions were brief, flashes of interest that passed almost as soon as they appeared. He rarely sipped his beer, the pint barely inching toward empty. It felt like the drink was more of an excuse to be in public than to actually drink. It wasn’t even noon to be fair.

A brief nod passed between him and the bartender when their eyes met, signaling familiarity without words. Then he returned to his screen, resuming his scrolling. His thumb moved in a steady rhythm, like he was slowly leafing through a magazine, intent but relaxed.

Once, he set his phone down entirely, leaning back as if he’d forgotten for a moment where he was. His eyes settled somewhere in the middle distance, as though he was watching something only he could see. After a few beats, he straightened, picked the phone back up, and resumed scrolling with the same steady rhythm. It was like falling back into an old routine.

The quiet around him and his slow, repetitive motions made me think this was his weekly, maybe daily, routine. I wondered if he enjoyed it or he was just passing the time. In the nearly empty pub, his presence seemed to set the tone, filling the quiet with a subtle, almost comforting rhythm. The pint glass remained mostly full, like his mind, turning over familiar thoughts, or maybe just finding contentment in the simplicity of the moment.

[Last modified: October, 18 2024 07:42 PM]

Reflecting on positionality has been an eye-opening experience. My initial reaction was that studying peoples’ relationship to their devices, particularly headphones, in public spaces is not a particularly sensitive topic. I did not feel that my most obvious identity markers – white, female, straight – and their disclosure would be especially relevant to this field of study. However, conversations with my peers helped me see beyond the one-dimensional ‘identity politics’ lens and broadened my thinking about positionality. 

Having been raised in Toronto, in a relatively device-free household compared to some of my peers, has shaped some of my modern-day perspectives and biases towards technology. My undergraduate friends would often call me a Luddite, joking that I had an above-average level of resistance to adopting technology. For example, I have never owned a Fitbit, Apple Watch or other common wearable technology, in part because I have always felt people are too dependent and attached to their devices. I harbour strong beliefs that devices typically serve as a barrier to genuine human connection and are used as a social crutch. 

My relationship with devices, which was shaped through my upbringing, means I am approaching this research topic with an implicit bias and working assumption that technology hinders social interactions. That said, there are many obvious instances in which devices are essential for human connection. For example, devices can help support those with speech, language, visual or cognitive impairments. 

Positionality does not just mean acknowledging your relative privilege. It also encompasses your bias, politics and upbringing. Consequently, when exploring the topic of peoples’ relationships with their devices and wearable technology, it is important to enter the topic with an open mind and let the participants guide my conclusions.

[Last modified: October, 14 2024 05:16 PM]

• Introduction
  • Previously studied business in Canada
  • Currently in MSc in Digital Anthropology
  • Social media, mental health, isolation and community, particularly for young people (<25) 
• Pilot research project
  • Want to explore everyday use of devices, especially smartphones and wearable technology, and how they play a role in human interactions (or lack of)
  • I’m interested in understanding how to foster a greater sense of human connection between peers and strangers
  • It’s anthropological because it focuses less on the devices themselves and more about how people use them to escape or lean on during social interactions
• Research questions
  • How is technology used or embedded in group interactions between friends, peers and strangers? In what ways does it appear pro-social and anti-social? 
  • How is technology used by individuals who are alone in public spaces? What is driving their behaviour? 
  • In what contexts is technology helpful and effective versus escapist? 
• Research approach
  • I can conduct this research in a myriad of public spaces which typically promote social behaviour, such as cafés, parks, pubs, bars and restaurants
  • I would like to take a mixed approach by both observing groups and individuals in public spaces to see 1) whether they are using technology in that space 2) which devices and 3) how is it being used
  • I would also like to follow up with interviews to understand their relationship to technology and public spaces, what they hope to ‘accomplish’ when in a public space and whether they are satisfied with their experience – this may be harder to do when approaching groups of people

[Last modified: October, 14 2024 05:05 PM]

The first thing I noticed when I sat down at the B Bagel on Tottenham Court Road was how awkward I felt eating my bagel alone while observing others around me. My immediate reaction was to pull out my laptop. Under the guise of having a technological “distraction” or “purpose,” I felt more at ease being in a public space alone, even though my screen was effectively blank.

I looked around and noticed a similar pattern. The café section on the upper floor was a mix of groups and individuals eating their bagels, all engaged with technology. Every person, except for an older couple eating in silence, had at least their phone, and often a laptop or headphones, within reach. Among the groups, there were two categories of device usage. The first group appeared more anti-social. They sat silently, each consumed in their own private universe, typically scrolling through short-form social media videos. The second group seemed more pro-social, using their phones as part of their conversation. For example, I saw one group captivated by a story about a pub crawl that one of their friends had organised two nights prior. When one of the listeners got lost and asked who a particular attendee was, the storyteller seamlessly tapped their phone, already in hand, and scrolled to that person’s Instagram account. Once the listener recognised them, the storyteller continued the story.

Perhaps less surprisingly, those who were alone in the café were even more absorbed by technology than their group counterparts. Most had laptops, suggesting they were likely working, preparing for class, or handling personal tasks. Others scrolled through their phones. Almost everyone had headphones or earphones in. The individuals rarely looked up from their screens or engaged with anyone else in the café, suggesting that while they were in a public space, they were having a mostly private experience.

[Last modified: October, 1 2024 06:28 PM]

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