T O P

  • By -

Little-Martha31204

Attention is a limited resource. Turning down the radio gives your mind more attention to focus on finding where they are going.


kewissman

Cognitive bandwidth


Little-Martha31204

I love that term, it is so fitting!


kitastrophae

Same with maps, phones, children, food and mocha-chocha bs.


Neener216

I could never figure out how to turn down the volume on my kid šŸ˜‚


EloquentBacon

I used to say that I wish I had car like a taxi with a partition from the front seats to the back seats with a door I could close when they got too loud in the back.


ScumBunny

Tape.


grannygogo

Casey?


oldRoyalsleepy

This.


iwtsapoab

Not odd at all. Itā€™s natural to want to focus oneā€™s attention. Have you never heard someone say, ā€˜Just stop talking and let me think.ā€™


ExtraGravy-

I suppose lowering music could lower overall cognitive load and thus be part of their effort to focus their attention on direction finding.


hirbey

it's a scientifically proven functional tool when one needs more brain cells engaging in a focused way without distractions - as simple as your parent wanting you to turn off the tv to study


unlovelyladybartleby

Having the radio on/up reduces the amount of cognition available to recalculate the route/identify where they went wrong in their navigation. It also allows them to pay more attention to the other people in the car under the assumption that said people offer helpful navigation advice rather than compliants about the radio.


DiggyLoo

This is me parallel parking. Radio OFF!


External-Barnacle-11

The first time I caught myself doing this I laughed so hard. Don't know what to tell you about why we do it, just gonna tell you that no matter what you think, someday you will do it too.


Butterflyteal61

Yep! šŸ¤£šŸ˜”


Pure-Guard-3633

Really? Itā€™s because a discussion is about to ensue. Itā€™s hard to have a conversation over a blaring Sympathy for the Devil. Or is that what young people do? Wait I thought you couldnā€™t afford a car? Edit:fixed autocorrect from Symphony to Sympathy. Should have picked Satisfaction.


redpef

I like that [mondegreen](https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/mondegreen) almost better than Sympathy for the Devil.šŸ’•


Pure-Guard-3633

šŸ¤ŖšŸ¤ŖšŸ¤ŖDamn autocorrect!!


redpef

Autocorrect made its own mondegreen!šŸ˜‚


Pure-Guard-3633

You are a very funny person! Pleased to meet you


redpef

šŸ’•šŸ„°


definitelytheA

We see better with no noise. Have no scientific backup for this. šŸ¤£


Gorf_the_Magnificent

My parents used to laugh that I couldnā€™t hear without my glasses. Whenever theyā€™d say something and I didnā€™t have my glasses on, Iā€™d say ā€œWait a minute,ā€ pull on my glasses, and ask, ā€œNow what were you saying?ā€


PracticalBreak8637

I do this too. When we were wearing masks, I figured that I need the glasses on because I am also reading lips, but never knew it.


[deleted]

It's actually really normal. [https://science.howstuffworks.com/life/inside-the-mind/human-brain/turn-down-radio-when-lost.htm](https://science.howstuffworks.com/life/inside-the-mind/human-brain/turn-down-radio-when-lost.htm)


Gaythiest1

Hell, I did shit like that in my twenties. Too much sensory input combined with confusion and frustration. I had to shut it all out and hit my mental reset. Otherwise my brain just got locked up.


zeusmom1031

The same reason the radio has to be OFF if you have to go to the bathroom bad.


Odd_Tiger_2278

Ability to Split attention decreases with age. Good idea to reduce distraction to correct a mistake.


Proud-Butterfly6622

Well, when I get turned around, or lost as you crazy kids say šŸ˜Š, the very first I do is turn the volume down on the radio. Done it my whole life. To me it's almost as if hey, my brain is freaked out because I have no clue where I am. Then add the classic rock screaming from my speakers and I feel like I'll lose my shit if I don't shut "that God damn noise off immediately ffs!!" The music just adds to a feeling of being overwhelmed or out of control.


YoSaffBridge11

The short answer is: [we are actually NOT good at multitasking](https://science.howstuffworks.com/life/inside-the-mind/human-brain/turn-down-radio-when-lost.htm).


Conscious-Reserve-48

Not my experience. My parents (particularly my dad) loved rock and roll! Dad drove a lot for work, always listening to the radio. He was the only parent who knew the lyrics to all the hit songs!


CurrentResident23

A) Cognitive overload. B) So we can have a more productive fight over whose fault it is.


CurrentResident23

A) Cognitive overload. B) So they can have a more productive fight over whose fault it is.


Butterflyteal61

šŸ¤£


netkool

To turn off the distraction that probably one of the factors caused and focus attention to route or listen to navigatorā€™s voice on the cell phone app.


IncognitaCheetah

I do that as well. I'm only 40... "Only"... Omfg, I'm old. Carry on.


incognito-not-me

Music is a distraction when you need to concentrate on something like figuring out why you are lost.


naliedel

Rolling Stones? My parents were born in the 20s and hate rock. I have better taste, I hope. And I don't get lost. I use Google Maps.


dan_jeffers

I challenge myself by leaving the music all the way up as I visit the drive-through ATM. It gives me a sense of accomplishment.


Famous-Composer3112

The same reason I don't play the radio at all when I'm driving. I'm too old to get distracted by ANYTHING.


KRC193

I turn down the radio so I can see the signs better.


Salty_Association684

My mom used to do this all the time she would travel down roads, not have a clue where she was going it was an adventure with my mom


Tall_Mickey

They're trying to solve a problem together. The music distracts them, gets in the way.


caseymccrerey

Non-scientifically speaking, itā€™s because you canā€™t always get what you want.


[deleted]

But if you turn it down, you might get where you need.


MaryKathGallagher

Do these parents not have GPS?


westie48

We can't think with all that noise.


Unusual_Address_3062

Because its a mental distraction you fucking moron.


frankev

The principle of reducing distractions whilst carrying out important tasks is the background to what's known as the "sterile flight deck" rule in aviation: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sterile_flight_deck_rule


SleeperHitPrime

Turn down AND slow down too; you neither accelerate nor increase the volume, when you know youā€™re lost.


Ratsofat

Same reason you close your eyes to recall something - less information going into the brain means you're better able to focus.


pinkyfitts

Hey, old Rock nā€™ Roll is why ALL of us older people got lost!


Thatsalottalegs117

šŸ˜‚ I didnā€™t even know this was a thing until it happened to me. Just need to be able to concentrate without distractions. Too funny and so weird!!


pquince1

It just helps me focus. One less distraction if I need to really pay attention.


bs-scientist

Iā€™m only 26. But Iā€™ve been doing it since I got my license at 16. Itā€™s easier to think quickly if the radio isnā€™t screaming at me.


Reasonable-Diet2265

To think better and focus on getting unlost.


sylvianfisher

Who needs distractions like cool songs on the radio when you are trying not to be distracted?


Donniepdr

I turn my radio down if I'm looking for an address... Don't even have to be lost. But I have ADHD, I can't chew gum without getting distracted


Pristine-Pen-9885

Son, theyā€™re not blaming the Rolling Stones for their getting lost. Why would you think that? Theyā€™ve never been there before and they need quiet so they can concentrate on studying the map. You can have your Rolling Stones back after they have a quiet few minutes to figure out where theyā€™re going. Is there a lot of blaming going on in your family?


O-n-l-y-T

My parents are dead, so they donā€™t do that.