Feels like a bit of a super-spreader tool doesn’t it? Almost a weapon. (Afaik, it filters going in - but not out)… Also, socially, says something quite uncomfortable about how the few can isolate themselves from the world around them - with no regard for the trail of risk they leave behind them. Basically a wearable 4x4.

@jimbomorrison That's true, I don't think it's bad that Dyson is beginning to investigate/develop this sort of technology but more telling of the world we live in where this might soon be a reality 🥲 I'd imagine this is less anticipated for Covid-type scenarios but more for air pollution, although the thought of an exhaust on the headphones spewing concentrated pollutants to people around you is less than ideal lol. Although perhaps it's working in a similar fashion to a Dyson vacuum? Catching dust and pollutants on the filters to be cleared manually later?

@calum 🤷‍♂️ ... it doesn't appear the repercussions have been considered. Dyson is a local company and I've known a lot of staff there over the years so I've been having a bit of back-and-forth on LinkedIn these past 24hrs. The sense I get is that, yes, it's aimed squarely at the Asian air pollution market and that it's no April Fool (it's Jake D - heir to the throne - in the publicity shots on the tube).. I'm sure for asthma sufferers - or for wearers in general - it's a great idea. What I object to is the gross insensitivity to anyone standing nearby should it turn out to be the case (as I suspect) that no-one has considered the impact of increasing air pressure around someone's nose and mouth as they exhale. If that is an oversight (or has been wilfully ignored) then it's a pretty horrible indictment of the company's overall ethos. It's an amplification of the air-blade hand-dryer issue (great at drying your hands, terrible at leaving a puddle for the next person to slip on)... but on a rather more dangerous level since we're still only an interesting variant away from another covid outbreak. I've asked for clarification from various quarters. Current staff have all swerved the question. Former staff have all agreed it's bonkers! I guess we'll have to make our own minds up. In the meantime, I've no doubt, in some markets, it'll sell like hotcakes. 🤦‍♂️ :sighs: