STFU (github.com)

Article summary

The article describes a situation where someone created an app that plays back audio it hears with a delay of around 2 seconds, which was used to deter someone from playing loud videos in a public place. The app was created after the author was annoyed by someone watching reels on full volume at an airport. The author claims the app works by creating an auditory feedback loop that makes people stop making noise. The app is called STFU and is available on GitHub.

Main themes

• Noise pollution in public places
• Social norms and etiquette
• Technological solutions to social problems
• Audio feedback and psychological manipulation
• Public transportation and shared spaces

What commenters say

• Using an app to play back someone's own noise to deter them from making loud sounds in public is a clever and effective solution.
• Confronting someone directly about their loud noise can be awkward and potentially escalate into a physical altercation, making a passive approach like the app more appealing.
• People have a right to make noise in public places, and using an app to manipulate them into stopping is an overstep of boundaries.
• Society is becoming too intolerant and conformist, and people should be allowed to make some noise in public without being shamed or manipulated.
• The app is a form of psychological manipulation that takes advantage of people's discomfort with hearing their own voice delayed, and this can be seen as a form of social control.
• Airports and other public places have inherent noise levels, and individuals should be considerate of others and keep their personal noise to a minimum.
• The app raises questions about the balance between individual freedom and social courtesy, and whether it is acceptable to use technology to enforce social norms.
• Using headphones or other noise-cancelling measures is a more considerate and effective way to deal with noise in public places, rather than relying on apps or confrontation.