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BPM readout for cars

Avoid likely road rage victims by knowing what music they're listening to
  (+4, -1)
(+4, -1)
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This is a pet theory of mine, I have nothing to back it up but I know one thing: if I'm in a traffic jam, I turn off Radio 1 or whatever pop-y nonsense I'm listening to, and stick something classical or easy listening on. I know that I will be a calmer driver if I'm listening to something with fewer beats per minute.

So.... it's tricky for some electronics to gauge whether the lyrics of whatever you're listening to are going to wind you up - but it's considerably easier for it to measure beats per minute. Connect it up to a readout in the rear window, and a quick glance at the rising numbers will tell other drivers whether you are likley to behave like an asshole behind the wheel, or not. How they choose to behave as a result of this knowledge is up to them.

Police could also use it to identify likely nutters.

A more subtle alternative might be to connect it to the indicator lights - the more rapid the flashing of the indicator lights, the more bpm, and the more excitable the driver is likely to be.

To be honest, I have no idea how people would use this information. It might make for an interesting experiment.

moomintroll, Feb 03 2005

this might help Now_20Playing
but only tells you what they're listening to, rather than BPM [neilp, Feb 03 2005]

Beat counter software http://users.skynet.be/bk264570/
[robinism, Feb 07 2005]

[link]






       How many BPMs does, say, "Fresh Air" register, do you think?   

       Would someone listening to Mendelssohn's Lieder ohne Worte Book IV, Op. 53, Presto agitato in Gm be identified as a nutter?
bristolz, Feb 03 2005
  

       I was expecting a "Bugs Per Mile" meter, for use when driving thru agricultural areas.
normzone, Feb 03 2005
  

       Hmm! Where does that leave people like me who enjoy Radio4 and also enjoy Metallica depending on the mood?
gnomethang, Feb 03 2005
  

       I have a sneaky suspicion that some AM talk radio programs boil people's blood more than any music, and lead to more road-rage. Maybe it's because the hosts are often frothing at the mouth.
sophocles, Feb 03 2005
  

       [bristolz] the answer to your question is yes. Mendelssohn is rubbish.   

       [soph], I know what you mean, I certainly shout at the radio more when there's a talk show on. I reckon this is a more healthy way to vent the spleen, though, as I can shout 'you f*****ing idiot' at the radio to my heart's content (until I get children), thus directing my aggression at stupid radio show callers and not bottling it up - thus reducing the bleedover to my fellow drivers.   

       That's the theory, anyway...
moomintroll, Feb 03 2005
  

       Well, then, what about Brahm’s #3 presto agitato/Dm?
bristolz, Feb 03 2005
  

       [bris] I think people would have mixed feelings about the #3, either they would swerve widely out of your way, or tailgate you.
neilp, Feb 03 2005
  

       BPM is not necessarily directly reflective of a persons agitative state. It is proven that a persons heart rate is regulated by this, but there state of calm or agitatedness is more dependent upon how they "feel" about the music they listen to, or in other words what ultimately relaxes them. I am a much more upbeat person while listening to heavier music like "stained" or "rage against the machine". These types of music allow me to more easily tolerate the normal everyday traffic jam style of driving that I must deal with. Put on some Michael Bolton and watch the fur fly! Some slower music choices, though lowering heart rate, may lead to despondency, and ultimately a desire to take out oneself and as many surrounding persons as possible. Road rage indeed!   

       It would be much more indicative to measure the individuals blood pressure rather than the beats per minute of the music they listen to.
joeseed, Feb 13 2006
  

       // BPM is not necessarily directly reflective of a persons agitative state//
No, but I still reckon it's a good indication.
moomintroll, Feb 13 2006
  

       The expansion joints along the main highway in Detroit are 133 BPM. It's true.
Giblet, Feb 14 2006
  
      
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