That this thread includes a couple of comments like this is really interesting.

It shows that HN is a very particular sample of the population.

I consider it like white noise, having something running in the background somehow helps me better focus on what's in-front of me.

In a way it's also a bit of a social substitute; When you live alone, and spend a lot of time alone, it can be nice to just listen to some human voices in the background as if you were not alone.

As a civilization we've had this for over a decade now, surely this was what radio was like before television.

most people do not have the energy, drive, or motivation to constantly be doing things. i guess it's both a blessing and a curse if you do.