The Ecology of Media; iPods

Mood: Mellow
Currently Listening to: Elephants - Rachael Yamagata


Who doesn't have an iPod these days? For starters, I don't. That said, I do have an MP3 player, courtesy of Samsung. (Note that I use the term 'courtesy' loosely. They didn't actually give it to me for free.) It still does all the same things an iPod does; it plays music, hold photos and videos, games. It's 2 gigs; it holds my favorites and then some.

But it's not an iPod. So I guess you could classify me in that group of about 27 people in North America who don't actually have an iPod. I mean, my buddy Rob - who is perhaps the least tech savvy person ever - has an iPod. He doesn't even know how to upload music onto it. Would I like one? Yes. Do I need one? No. But I feel almost peer pressured by society and media to get rid of my YP-K5 and pick up a Green iPod at my local Future Shop.

The purpose of the iPod? Entertainment, easily. But today, I feel as though it goes beyond much more than that. For some it is an instrument required for function. Think about it - how often can one use their iPod? An alarm in the morning; you can plug it into the car stereo on the way to work, and you've got your personal radio station - with no commercials. Turn it on on your lunch break in Tim Hortons. Attach it to an arm band for your after work jog. The possibilities and opportunities are endless.

I've often heard peers on long bus rides up north say 'Oh no! My battery is dying! My life sucks, what am I going to DO for the next 2 hours?!', as if perhaps socializing with the person sitting next to you or looking out the window at your Northern surroundings is an inconceivable idea. For today's generation, the iPod functions as a tool for survival from boredom.

The cultural impact the iPod has had over the last few years is wild. Apple keeps trying to outdo themselves with re-inventions of the same product! I dare you to count off the top of your head how many versions of iPods there have been since the very beginning of the iPod revolution to today. Two hands won't suffice, that's for sure. The novelty of the whole MP3 player thing is gone; it is now a norm in the North American culture to have an iPod. Remember CDs? That is a dying industry because of digital music, iTunes and what not.

No, I'm not going to buy an iPod anytime soon. I'd like to think I fit in with the rest of society in other aspects, like eating at McDonalds or listening to Britney Spears.* I'm satisfied with my Samsung YP-K5 player. After all, it has a built-in speaker. Take that, Apple!


*I'm fully aware that the majority of society attempts to avoid things like McDonalds and Britney Spears. But sometimes, indulging in a guilty pleasure isn't necessarily a bad thing.