Why not just put your phone on vibrate?
For years now, some stores in the UK have been deterring groups of teenagers by playing ultra high-frequency tones that are abrasive to teens but inaudible by adults. However, those conniving little bastards have something up their sleeves: the teenagers have been recording the sound and setting it as their ringtone. As it turns out, the teachers can't hear it but all the kids can. It's pretty ingenious.
Needless to say, I had to try it out. Nick and I stood in my room and played one of the frequencies over my speakers. It drove the dogs nuts and caused a pretty unbearable ringing sensation in Nick's and my ears, but Mom couldn't hear anything. I went ahead and tossed the atc_teenbuzz (to download, right-click on the link and click "Save as") MP3 on as the ringtone for my parents (the irony was lost on them).
It's a little obnoxious and I'm sure the novelty will wear off before too long, but it's really pretty cool. If you use it, it's better if you're phone isn't set to ring too loudly; it ruins the effect.
Here are some links:
Comments
did you hear the interview of the guy who invented it ? it was either on NPR or sound of young america, which i guess is on NPR. i listened to it and i can't hear it. i guess that means i'm pulling a never been kissed.
Posted by: clairebear! | July 6, 2006 10:32 PM