Office culture is already weird, but it could become weirder if this invention for making phone calls more private comes to be. Called a Bloxvox, the “voice privacy tool” is a contraption worn on your mouth to muffle your voice. Basically, it looks like a muzzle—and Twitter hates it.
https://twitter.com/nyhcmaven84/status/999419881278885888
CNET reported on the device Wednesday, explaining that “it’s designed to work with your existing headphones that have an inline microphone, which tucks into a slit in the Bloxvox.” There’s also an air hole in the front to let you breathe.
It’s not a fully realized product yet, but there’s a Kickstarter to raise money for its production along with a video showing how it could be used in an open-layout office setting. For example, it could definitely drown out the not-so-humble-brag of an office Becky demanding a bonus because she’s “crushing it.”
Despite entrepreneur Greg Umhoefer’s earnest goal to let people have more private phone calls in public settings, Twitter mercilessly bashed the whole idea. For one thing, it’s extremely reminiscent of a certain villain from the Batman franchise.
https://twitter.com/hunterwalk/status/999295373020557312
“When Gotham is ashes, you have my permission to die.” https://t.co/2iysAm5KHu
— Erin Murphy (@ErinDMurphy) May 23, 2018
Bane finally clinched his corporate dream job. https://t.co/QHWuptnAX3
— pascalb👁️uvier ≠🪼 (@pascalbouvier) May 23, 2018
https://twitter.com/lipstickley/status/999375423908859904
Finally I can live the dream of Baneposting vendors. https://t.co/llZulMePPV
— Gene Park (@GenePark) May 23, 2018
“No one knew our office lunch order until I put on the mask.” https://t.co/XxpHb1vNi8
— 𝙳𝚊𝚗 𝙷𝚎𝚟𝚒𝚊 (@DanHevia) May 23, 2018
Some people are just disappointed that we live in a world where this is a real invention as a byproduct of cutting costs (and office space) to increase production.
I’m told other companies have had success with this device called a wall.
— Joe Borelli (@JoeBorelliNYC) May 23, 2018
This, of course, is the obvious next evolution of the open office space. 🤦🏻♂️ https://t.co/Aao2j3Ppa3
— Scott Hanselman 🌮 (@shanselman) May 23, 2018
Look, we may not have gotten jet packs and flying cars, but this is just as good, right? https://t.co/2iIR8zTkDZ
— Shane Giberson (@ShaneGiberson) May 23, 2018
This is the future liberals want https://t.co/YGkycs7Zbg
— Ramp Capital (@RampCapitalLLC) May 23, 2018
https://twitter.com/reubsjw/status/999362074357780480
Then again, maybe there’s some merit to a device that could give everyone a little more peace and quiet.
https://twitter.com/ourheroerikw5/status/999321469078396929
wondering if i could expense this to corporate https://t.co/D2mljwNNC8
— Colleen McGrew (@colleennmcgrew) May 23, 2018
Of course, it’s all fun and games until corporations are buying muzzles in bulk ($30 each for 100!) for employees who don’t have the luxury of a private area for making phone calls, and we’re all stuck looking like Bane.
https://twitter.com/notdan/status/999359752340619264
H/T CNET