The iPod and Us.

The iPod. The ever so popular iPod. Seems like you see it everywhere you go. I happen to have joined the masses of iPod users when I received an iPod video. (Free!) There are many beneficial features to it. For one, it is really nice to have all your music everywhere you go. It is not necessary to juggle cds and decide which ones you want to bring with you next time you go somewhere. All your music is in the palm of your hands. iPods also bring people together. There are online communities and forums full of people who discuss everything iPod, from problems they are experiencing to what iPod case they should buy. (Check out iLounge.com and ipodgarage.com .) But the same thing that "brings people together", breaks them apart. Others have written about this before me so I will only touch on it briefly. Walking around the streets of NY (or anywhere for that matter) all you see is people with white earbuds hanging from their ears. It creates a sort of isolation. Nobody talks to anyone else anymore. Everyone is living in their own little reality. It is just as common to see friends hanging out listening to their own mp3 players (or talking on cellphones to OTHER people) as it is to see them actually conversing. The rise of the iPod has led to a sort of disunity in people that everyone just does their own thing and stays in their own little world. But i'll tell you what bothers me most about the iPod. The fact that you can carry all your music with you everywhere. You may be wondering, didn't you just say that that is what is most beneficial about having an iPod? The answer is yes. That is the best and worst part about the iPod revolution. Before I got an iPod, life wasn't always perfect. When I had to go somewhere, I would choose a bunch of CDs to put inside my CD wallet and those would be the CDs I would listen to on my trip. Now, I don't have to choose at all. Whatever I am in the mood for, I have with me. It's a symptom of the ME generation, the A.D.D. world we live in, the society with no patience. I want Metallica and I want it now! Wait, I just changed my mind, I think I am in the mood for some Mozart. I think the whole instant gratification thing that the iPod offers may not necessarily be such a good thing. I know that may be blasphemous but I just feel like it is just contributing to the pushiness and impatient nature that kids these days grow up with. Everything must be perfect and it must be perfect now!

NOW... If you'll excuse me, I think I am going to go rip a couple more CDs to my iPod.