I can't believe that some people concentrate better with distractions than without them.
Personally, I last 2 or 3 times longer when doing anything mental if I have music playing. Easily. I'm also happier.
Trying to pass your beliefs off as our experiences is doomed to failure. There's always an exception, often millions of them, if you look around a different corner than you live on.
Substitute music with drink and imagine that your job is a doctor.
I'm just trying to point out that there is a possibility (a bit far fetch I agree) that listening to the music while you work is kind of mind numbing mild drug that maybe helps you to suffer through the drudgery of workday but it might be harmful to your ability to concentrate and the value of your work.
Oh man, I thought you had a valid argument - though one I disagreed with - till the last two comments.
Basically your argument has become along the lines of: you don't like music and therefore anyone that does has a "problem".
I personally can't comprehend people who work in silence! But I'm not judging people who do; just as music works for me, silence works for others. You've assumed silence can't be a distraction which, from my perspective, is wrong.
> Stop trying to pass your costly and possibly damaging addiction as something that improves your life and brings you value.
Drinks != music. Alcohol is known to slow reaction time and cognitive skills.
Instead of substituting music with drinks how about wonder if doctors also listen to music while they work. When I was pre-med (prior to becoming compsci) I went and observed a few surgeries. The surgeons were some of the most focused, professional people I've ever met and they had music playing in the OR. Go figure.
Personally, I last 2 or 3 times longer when doing anything mental if I have music playing. Easily. I'm also happier.
Trying to pass your beliefs off as our experiences is doomed to failure. There's always an exception, often millions of them, if you look around a different corner than you live on.