Overheard in the Atl

Peihsun (Ben) Yeh

"Overheard in the Atl" is a collection of quotes and conversations overheard in and around Atlanta, GA, and the surrounding areas. The blog's layout is simple and straightforward. There is no pictures, music, movies, etc. The blog doesn't have one single author, instead, the entries are submitted by readers themselves who have heard something that is blog-worthy, much like the popular "fmylife.com". And also like fmylife, the blog entries are usually humorous, and sometimes downright hysterical.

Here's a quote apparently heard at Georgia Tech:
* (Two researchers are outside their building taking a smoke break)
* Researcher 1: You know, I hear Splenda's bad for you.

So why does the blog exist? Why does the author, or rather, why do the authors, feel compelled to write? On the left side, a little bit further down, there is a list of similar affiliates, such as "Overheard in Athens" and "Overheard in Auburn." These collections are important in their own right. Before pictures, video, and music, how was information relayed? By word of mouth. These collections are a display of culture presented in the most direct way: from the people themselves. If anything else, they might exist just for the sake of hilarity, something to read to pass the time and have a laugh.

# Bum: (outside MARTA station) Spare change? Spare change?
# (He breaks into a perfect David Bowie imitation)
# Bum: Ch-ch-ch-changes! Turn and face the train! Changes!

- Homeless Guy: Excuse me, can you spare some change for some psychedelic research?