Why would you immediately assume such a negative scenario?

How is that a negative scenario? Not wanting to have a conversation isn't a crime.

Are you serious? You don't see how immediately assuming that he's faking a serious disability in order to avoid normal conversation and eavesdrop is a negative scenario?

Nothing in the description indicates driver was faking serious disability.Why did you assume that?

Do you see the comment I am replying to?

The user said " I thought initially he was doing it to avoid conversation with passengers and to hopefully over hear some juicy valley gossip. "

"it" refers to "being deaf."

it refers to "Without saying a word, the driver passed me his iPhone."

There are some strange people our here in the valley. I thought maybe he was one. Either way, the thought crossed my mind and I posted it here because there's also some strange people on HN that I thought could relate.

Inverse Hanlan's Razor.

Hanlon's Razor is something I've never heard before - but it's a philosophy that I've tried to stick to in my life.

It's so great to be able to put an "official" term to something you know but can't associate with a title!