As I sat down at my local Starbucks to research this editorial, I grew sick of the bland coffee shop music, so I attached my white appendages, and once again, I was in control of my world. The effects of the iPod are becoming one of the most important issues to my generation. The iPod, a device small enough to fit in ones pocket is slowly taking over in every area, from how my generation consumes the arts, interacts with others, to our changing mindset when it comes to how we cope with our world.
Compared to the war in Iraq and terrorism, a small, white contraption seems like hardly a threat to my generation, but the mindset behind the iPod is what poses the issue. Hunger, war, poverty and violence are not significant to my generation for the mere fact that it has occurred during every generation prior to my existence. To examine the issue behind the iPod, one must look past the exterior of the object, and look into the harmful mindset of the iPod.
In a world where American troops are fighting in other countries and terrorist attacks serve as headlines, it’s nice to know that we have the freedom to shut out the world and insert our earphones. Welcome to the iPod generation that slowly allows history to repeat itself by avoiding the issues, and obtaining piece of mind by knowing that the citizens with little control can take control by escaping the world through their iPod play list. It is the mindset of shutting out reality that enables us to repeat history and endure the same issues.
The issue of the iPod generation would receive a different response from Washington D.C. Washington D.C. examines statistics, and statistics show that the iPod has sold more than 27 million units, making it a huge contributing factor to the American economy. This is upsetting, because on a larger scale, the iPod is more of a detriment to society despite its economical influence. The Department of Health, Education, and Welfare might view it as an issue, but only because the effects are directly related to that specific department.
The iPod is slowly creating a world where social interaction will continue to deteriorate. It has become easier to tune out the world and transport oneself to a world where the music corresponds with our lifestyle, choice is always a right, and the artist is the only person who can vocalize the words within our heart. The iPod generation has taken away the love of identifying with people in real life.
My generation has turned into robots that don’t understand the world around them because they have been given the freedom to literally tune it out. It has forced us to expect perfection, and it has given us a false sense of power and control in a world that continues to fall apart. Once in awhile, take out the earphones. Face reality. Live the awkward moments of social interaction. Tune in to the issues to make the world better than the generation that lived before us.
