Given the response, I probably should have clarified that this was meant more for camping not hiking per se. I wouldn't use it walking an actual trail with other hikers as that would be rude (and also what the headphones are for anyway) .

I can see a use-case for scaring off predators, but the time tested 'bell on a walking stick' sure is more polite to other hikers.

If predators are bears then the U.S. National Parks Service cautions against this method, at least in Yellowstone. They claim it’s ineffective as they aren’t loud enough.

Good to know!

It's disappointing that the lack of self awareness translates so faithfully from the trail to HN.

Not all! On my last hike we ran upon some folks with a Bluetooth speaker blasting music.

I started dancing and having fun with the hikers...

While everyone else cringed, and was angry.

You may not understand this, but most other people go out to nature to enjoy nature. Blasting music kills the experience.

I'm guessing both of you are just kids whose parents missed this particular lesson.

I also go out to nature to enjoy nature. I also enjoy silence outside. You mind hikers with music and I don't.

You may not understand this, but there's such a thing as disagreement and preference.

I absolutely understand differing preferences.

The difference is that someone blasting music is IMPOSING their preference on everyone else.