Me, Myself and iPod

by Allison Doolittle

Levi’s recently introduced Redwire DLX Jeans that allow you to control the music playing on your iPod using a tiny joystick on the watch pocket. These high-tech jeans, at the price of two hundred fifty dollars, reflect the value and success of the growing iPod accessories industry. Since Apple has sold more than 39 million iPods, it is no wonder that myriad companies are jumping on the iPod bandwagon. Many have begun creating cases, backpacks, clothing, sneakers and more to reach iPod users around the world.

The technology has revolutionized the way people think about and listen to music. Powerful, compact and portable, these tiny music players allow us to listen to our favorite songs everywhere from the subway to the grocery store to the bedroom. Amidst the unprecedented ubiquity of iPods, it’s important for us to question how beneficial iPods are for our society. It is now easier than ever to tune out the conversations of others or any bothersome sounds. By ignoring the world around us, we tend to isolate ourselves and may be missing out on interesting conversations with fellow commuters. I enjoy meeting new people and chatting with them, but I find myself barely paying attention to those around me when I’m listening to my iPod. I actually smile less when I’m listening to my iPod because the earbuds hurt my ears when I smile.

Beyond isolation, iPods also seem to cater to our self-centeredness. Even the “i” in “iPod” reveals the individualistic characteristics of these music players. i use my iPod to play iTunes that i enjoy or look at iCal to see what i am doing. Who enjoys it? i do.

Often, I try to distinguish myself from what some call a “selfish American” but, honestly, even the way I listen to music reflects my preoccupation with myself. Will I buy those snazzy Levi’s? Probably not, but due to the self-centered nature of the iPod industry, many will.

(The photo is courtesy of missyredboots at morgueFile.)

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