Small Object, LARGE SUBJECT- The iPod

October 23rd, 2001. Recognize the date? People were born and died on this day. Some got married, some got divorced. That isn’t why this date has significance. It was the day that would change the way we listen to music forever. It would antiquate the Walkman and CD's. It was the day the first iPods were available to buy. It was the day we would become slaves to Apple, iTunes, and the iPod.

I’m not sure if Apple knew the profound effect that the iPod would have on consumers. If they did, Apple should be worshiped in some capitalist hall of fame. I think the reason the iPod had such success is because you could carry your whole music library in your pocket. This feat would be impossible with a Walkman. First of all, they’re bulky and you need to carry all of your CD's with you. Now, in 2010, doing this is akin to beating stones together to make fire. Now, if you don’t have an iPod, you are alienated from music society. You are considered to be, like the Walkman, out of date. It’s literally, almost impossible now to picture yourself, or someone else, without one. It’s really quite sad.

Another aspect of the iPod that blows my mind is iTunes. Instead of running out to a record store to buy a CD, all you have to do is go online. You can be listening to that CD in a matter of minutes. Instead of buying the whole CD for one song, you can just buy that one song on iTunes. Now, on iTunes, not only can you buy songs, you can buy audiobooks, games, movies, TV shows and apps. You can subscribe to thousands of podcasts. ITunes can make sure that you are never bored. There are more apps, games, audiobooks, movies, TV shows and songs than one can listen to, play, or use. Because of this never-ending supply of entertainment, we are more absorbed in our own little worlds than ever before. You can create playlists for every occasion, have your iPod tell you how fast you are running when you jog, you can listen to it anywhere as long as it has battery life, you have headphones, and the desire. While this is considered a bad thing, our music knowledge base has increased dramatically as a result of iTunes. Without iTunes, I’m sad to say that I’d be listening to a measly 500 songs instead of my still measly 3,000 something songs. I never would have been inspired by the words and melodies of some of my favorite bands without iTunes lending a helping hand. I feel like it knows me better than some of my friends do. I tear up just thinking about it.

So, what does our need for an iPod say about our culture? Apple knows that we are slaves to them and their shiny products. They play the role of the dealer and we play the role of the addict. They’ll add new baubles to each version of iPod they produce. Because they know that it just makes us want them more. Do you really need a video recorder on your iPod? YES, OH YES. We are addicted, blind, consumers. It’s sick, pathetic, and I LOVE IT.