r/mildlyinfuriating • u/TheAeroplaneBear2906 • Jul 16 '26

Unskippable ad Clear Backpacks + Pay to Keep Your Phone

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My freinds school is now requiring these items, and is also using AI to promote this 🫠

17.9k Upvotes

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185

u/[deleted] Jul 16 '26

[deleted]

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u/dontbmeanbgay Jul 16 '26

I had a job that banned earphones and phone usage altogether, and my current job which literally could not care less so I wear my headphones all day.

The difference in how I performed at the old job vs the current is night and day. It feels like my thoughts scatter in a thousand directions without them

I hope your son can keep using them! (or sneakily find a way around it at least)

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u/DilapidatedPlum Jul 16 '26

My job doesn't allow us to have earbuds on. But since we're required to have hearing protection and they only supply us with earplugs but allows us to use earmuffs. So I bought some Worktunes they will never know.

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u/Ultimatesims Jul 16 '26

If I blast some techno or other rhythmic music through headphones l I can be working heads down for four hours and feel like only five minutes have passed. Throw on a podcast as a treat and my attitude is pretty stable. My cube mates cans be as loud as they want and no complaints from me.

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u/BigBadVudoo Jul 16 '26

If you're not customer facing it should not be as taboo as it is. When I have chores to do at home I put on music that helps me focus; why is it bad to put on focus music when I do work at work?

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u/TheQuietOutsider Jul 16 '26 edited Jul 16 '26

im probably the minority in this school of thinking- but humans need downtime. if you can't sit with your thoughts without external stimuli theres a problem.

people would rather be shocked than bored for 15 minutes. and that is disturbing to me.

e: I keep needing to clarify this: the promotion of a "sneaky" "work around" for a school age child is crazy work

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u/syxxnein Jul 16 '26

Maybe you need down time with your thoughts but some of us operate differently. Medicated me can deal with down time, but before I was diagnosed and properly prescribed I couldn't sleep or operate without something to divide my attention.

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u/ItaruKarin Jul 16 '26

The guy is working, he's not sitting without external stimuli. Using music to cope with work being a dull nightmare seems perfectly reasonable.

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u/TheQuietOutsider Jul 16 '26 edited Jul 16 '26

im not saying the individual isnt working. I used that article as an example of how much people apparently constantly need stimuli. which isn't healthy. it's like we collectively forgot that even 15-20 years ago most of the population was not walking around mindlessly in a phone or with headphones in. somehow those people managed.

and to argue for a "sneaky work around" for a school child just aint it man.

e: why delete? e2: why block? lol

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u/ItaruKarin Jul 16 '26

"people managed", medieval people didn't have food half the time and they managed, that's a bit silly.

Anyway. I don't really mind constant stimuli.

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u/FullSkyFlying Jul 16 '26 edited Jul 16 '26

You said it better than I did lol

Edit* also comment above yours didnt delete. They blocked you because I still see it

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u/TheQuietOutsider Jul 16 '26

I can't read the full comment. but I got a notification about medieval peasants or something. was my comment really that offensive?

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u/FullSkyFlying Jul 16 '26

Nope. Just someome who doesnt want to hear or believe the truth

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u/bloopbloopsplat Jul 16 '26

I dont think you've ever worked somewhere like a sweat shop where you are doing the exact same thing every day multiple times. Even when I was in school doodling while in class also helped me pay attention better to what was being taught.

All human brains are not the same

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u/FullSkyFlying Jul 16 '26

Have you ever worked in a sweat shop LOL? Highly doubt it. Anyways yes I have had jobs LIKE that but working is completely different than learning.

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u/TheQuietOutsider Jul 16 '26

ill have to find your comment, but this opposing argument is mind boggling to me.

I enjoy music and external stimuli. I do. but if you can't function without it, thats saying something. its detrimental and feeding the proverbial monkey is not helping.

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u/FullSkyFlying Jul 16 '26

I won't tell someone how to raise their kids, but you won't change my mind that if you need something to keep you distracted 100% of the time you have some ADHD and / or brain rot issues. And if you need something to distract you from staying out of trouble, probably not good. I feel like people are getting too used to not being in their head sometimes and figuring out how to deal with that and their thoughts / emotions. Again though thats just my opinion but I'm glad that works for you

Is what I said but got downvoted lol. This was a reponse to the person saying their kid gets into trouble unless they listen to music. So i obviously couldnt have said what you said any better myself. Im with you, and i think this is also what leads to younger people having more anxiety, depression etc. People need 'me time' to process their emotions and to think hard about themselves

2

u/TheQuietOutsider Jul 16 '26

emotional regulation is a huge part of this. when we are involved in outside stimuli constantly what do you think is left?

people also overlook the actual content of their content and how that affects them. shit in, shit out. look at the rise of "second screen" entertainment. people can't even watch a 30 minute show without pulling out a phone and scrolling. then we wonder why we're anxious, depressed, stupid, sleep deprived and can't pay attention to anything.

but hey, thats just my opinion. and maybe yours i guess lol

2

u/AddingAnOtter Jul 16 '26

Did you consider that boredom isn't the problem? At work they expect you to be productive and not ait with her thoughts, following them down 1000 rabbit holes. It's likely she can exist with them but they don't let her get her work done. With a diagnosis they could likely be an ADA accomodation even.

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u/TheQuietOutsider Jul 16 '26 edited Jul 16 '26

im not even going to argue the ADA angle. it could be, but if so they would be exempt from the company rule regardless. either way, constant stimulation is something we were not biologically wired for. its bad for us.

E: and if they are ADA they absolutely should not be suggesting another person "sneakily" find a way to get them through/ "around it". your argument is crazy.

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u/bloopbloopsplat Jul 16 '26

Huh? Constant stimulation isnt something we are wired for? Why do you think anxiety is so prevalent in humans? It used to be an evolutionary advantage in the sense that people with anxiety are more alert.

These generalizations dont appy to all people, and not all brains are wired the same. Thats just nature.

You really think our ancestors were out there just laying in the grass chilling? They were constantly trying to survive.

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u/TheQuietOutsider Jul 16 '26

sorry, but science says otherwise. anxiety and overstimulation are linked. surprise. I know brains are different but when most sources point one way and maybe a handful point the other....

i never said our ancestors were just "laying in grass and chilling" their survival took work, their full and undivided attention, mindfulness and importantly- downtime to rest, which is when we properly heal both mind and body.

with the rest and stimuli conversation, we also overlook the massive benefits of boredom. 5 min vid - if nothing else, its some stimulus.

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u/bloopbloopsplat Jul 16 '26

But what sensory overload qualifies as is different for everyone. Thats my point. Broad sweeping generalizations about what is and isnt healthy arent overly helpful because everyone's brains are wired differently. What could be overstimulation for one person could be nothing for another. I agree that everyone needs downtime to rest.. but most times that "rest" isnt just sitting down staring at a blank wall. It still involves doing something.. thinking something.. etc.

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u/bloopbloopsplat Jul 16 '26

Fwi anxiety and evolution are connected you can google it if you want.

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u/TheQuietOutsider Jul 16 '26

fair. but then to my point, to decrease these levels- and by extension our collective anxiety levels- it stands to reason that if we spent less time in our headphones/phones and digital worlds and more time engaged with ourselves and those around us we would be better off. science literally says as much. and yes, we do think in our downtime, but the over/constant stimulation also feeds into that loop. how much longer are we staying up thinking/fixating because of that last thing we read or heard? our stimulus is pumping dopamine, our dopamine is wrecking our sleep. or another.

is it that crazy to reach this logical conclusion? we need breaks from this stuff and its insane to argue against empirical evidence.

you keep doing you.

0

u/dontbmeanbgay Jul 16 '26

and i dream of a world where people care less about what other people do in their own time

neither of us are gonna get what we want champ

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u/TheQuietOutsider Jul 17 '26

im not talking about wants, but how disturbing it is that it seems like the majority of the population has an inability to deal with their own thoughts.

what you do in your own time is fine, but in a public space its our time, if youre at work you are most likely someone's coworker. you do not exist in a vacuum, but those headphones allow you to believe you do.

but odds are im not your coworker, so keep it up homie.

2

u/Natasha_Gears Jul 16 '26

My job I'm in for almost a decade suddenly started caring about earphones, and to be fair to them we do have a speaker for that is great for music , but sometimes I like to listen to some story about a ww2 lieutenant taking out a hill of enemies by himself, and I'm not subjecting anyone else to this, they say they want us less distracted but I really think it's odd. Unless I missed something where a lot of orders were being messsed up , because I know damn well ppl were watching the world cup on shift

2

u/T_boi_nerdy_boi Jul 16 '26

My factory job just recently said no headphones/earbuds for safety. Ok, fair. We have a shitty sounds system for music, whatever. But they also don’t want us wearing any hearing protection at all even though we have several employees with declining hearing from working here without any earplugs or anything… so.

2

u/Natasha_Gears Jul 16 '26

Sounds like a lawsuit is pending

1

u/DatLadyD Jul 16 '26

I fired a lady at work and she tried to get me in trouble for wearing my headphones on her way out. Thing is, literally every time my boss calls I say hang on a second,I got my headphones in because they aren’t good for phone calls, so he was already well aware and did not care. I take them out while assisting customers. I would probably quit if I couldn’t wear my headphones, the job is so boring without them.

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u/beren12 Jul 16 '26

Long hair helps. I know a lot of girls that got away with that in high school.

6

u/Doughnut_Diva Jul 16 '26

Are you in the US? You might be able to request headphones as a 504 accomodation if your son has any diagnosis or is being treated for his behavioral issues and the doctor is on board with using this as a skill to regulate emotions.

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u/[deleted] Jul 16 '26

[removed] — view removed comment

0

u/plycrsk Jul 16 '26

🙄 the condition is something else and music helps treat it

1

u/JparkPHX Jul 16 '26

I’m curious. Have you had him checked for add/adhd? I was diagnosed at a very young age and one of the only things that stops the constant adhd brain noise for me is music/podcasts. My brain goes a million miles an hour and having something to listen to/concentrate on really helps.

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u/armcie Jul 16 '26

I know a kid on the spectrum who needs some noise in his ears to function properly, whether it’s music or white noise. He really closes down without his earbuds.

-41

u/[deleted] Jul 16 '26

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15

u/SprigatitoNEeveelovr Jul 16 '26

Grounding is the fuckin opposite of distraction my dude.

39

u/Itz_Combo89 Jul 16 '26

"I won't tell someone how to raise their kids, but (tells someone how to raise their kids)"

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u/Ok-Entry3988 Jul 16 '26

Goofy ass comment. Music 100% can benefit some people.

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u/Intensityintensifies Jul 16 '26

Haha get over yourself weirdo.

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u/TwentinQuarantino Jul 16 '26

Yeah no shit they have adhd or something, and found a way to manage it. So?

Are you also saying a kid who went to dentist had some kind of tooth decay? Yeah no shit they had, and managed it by getting dental work done. Same as this kid managed their adhd by listening to music. 

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u/Melkor-The-Mighty Jul 16 '26

Old schopl discipline would sort this kid out. His parents are lazy. My father would send me into unconsciousness to hang out with hypnos and thanatos in the 90s if I was a shithead.

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u/nothankslmgood Jul 16 '26

No wonder you turned out so stupid.

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u/TwentinQuarantino Jul 16 '26

Get some music playing is literally the easiest thing you can do and it sorts this kid out perfectly. Why would you want to find some other weird ways which may or may not sort your kid out, when literally the easiest thing ever already works???

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u/[deleted] Jul 17 '26

[deleted]

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u/Melkor-The-Mighty Jul 16 '26

Real parenting and discipline works just as well. Obedience and submission is not optional, its mandatory.

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u/NukaCooler Jul 16 '26

Obedience and submission is not optional, its mandatory.

Raising kids is not your wizardly BDSM fantasy story, Melkor

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u/aesved Jul 16 '26

Works until they have the ability to leave and not come back. What a weird comment

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u/Dragon_Bait211 Jul 16 '26

This person right here wonders why their kids never visit.

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u/dontbmeanbgay Jul 16 '26

I think they are a kid themselves tbh

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u/Dragon_Bait211 Jul 16 '26

Probably lol

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u/Immediate_Button_450 Jul 16 '26

'real parenting' my ass. sounds like you wouldn't know what real parenting is

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u/Davti Jul 16 '26

Obedience and submission is not optional

Yes it the fuck is. You are delusional as a parent.

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u/9_of_Swords Jul 16 '26

Speaking as someone whose mother demanded obedience and submission and ruled with an iron fist... nope. I'll carry those mental scars for life.