Software development without the music

Everywhere you go now - especially on public transport it's clear that folks are plugged into music via earphones. I noticed recently that 75% of a fairly busy railway carriage were plugged in - to avoid the conversations or musical taste of the other passengers I suspect.

In the software development environment they can be popular as well - though we discourage them because they limit team communications and can be a frustration. However with the increase of video and new media that is flying around their use is increasing in the office.