IPod, Essay Example

IPods have become an integral part of modern life, just like mobile phones or computers. Modeled to satisfy the needs of increasingly demanding generation of users, they model in their turn – they reshape user’s attitude to MP3 players and create a new type of personal space. IPod is not simply a gadget. In IPod Nation Steven Levy calls an iPod “an icon, a pet, a status indicator and an indispensable part of one’s life”.  IPod is not something that is bought to make life easier because it is convenient. It is a device, which can give its owner the sense of having some privacy even in an overcrowded bus when commuting. It allows a person to stay in an emotionally and spiritually comfortable environment. By blocking out unwanted noise and playing favorite music, iPod creates a shell for a person in which he / she can feel more secure and relaxed.

The universal appeal of iPods means that it has additionally become a sign of the epoch. The article mentions an iPod user, a university professor, who speaks about “sort of bonding” that arises between him and his students when they see each other with iPods. The bonding extends nationwide and means that millions of people enjoy listening to music in this way and, moreover, that they prefer iPod. Such popularity implies that iPod has acquired the quality of a brand. People recognize it as a synonym to the level of quality in MP3 players that they seek. Apple’s mission and image that stands behind the iPod appeals to them, they are happy to own the company’s production. In this respects, Apple can be congratulated on great commercial success – potential customers are inclined to go for brand names when choosing a product even if they have to pay more for them. Even when offered cheaper MP3 players of no lower quality produced by other companies, many would still opt for iPods: an important part of what they actually buy is a name that speaks for itself and does not require additional introduction or description.

Overall, what we analyze is the record popularity of iPods which has turned them into a sign of our time and the success of the manufacturing company – Apple. The questions which I would like to ask in this connection are as follows:

• What opportunities do iPods give to their users?
• Does iPod-usage harm us in any way?
• Is Apple the company whose image can be supported without reservations?

The numerous advantages of using iPods have been wonderfully described by the Steven Levy. Apart from the sense of fellowship (“bonding”) which tends to arise among iPod users and grows into one of the national identifications – something we can take pride in. An iPod user has a privilege of carrying his / her collection of favorite tunes with him / her and being able to create the atmosphere one is longing for in almost any place. The author mentions that iPods are frequent in big cities and college towns (Levy 352). In other words, in crowded places people try to create their own personalized space not to feel they are losing their identities among others. And an iPod playlist,  which can be as intimate as a personal diary, helps them remain themselves and enjoy themselves.

Moreover, the smart design of an iPod turns it into a stylish accessory – an almost indispensable belonging of a modern sophisticated and intellectual person who keeps pace with the time and does not want to waste it while being on one’s way somewhere, which is usually when most people tend to listen to their iPods.

IPods are also very tactful. They allow a person to enjoy oneself without imposing one’s taste on others. It is more tactful than, for instance, mobile phones which are infamous for ringing in the wrong timing and may have very irritable effect for anyone who does not  enjoy being an unwelcome and unwilling witness of private conversations held in public places.

The applications of iPods are not restricted to listening to music, however. Steven Levy mentions one of them: listening to audiobooks (Levy 352). It is a brilliant opportunity for anyone who does not have enough time for reading or has problems with eyesight. Another amazing opportunity is facilitated learning. If a student has a record of a lecture, he / she may listen to it outside the lecture room at any time.

BBC News describes another promising application of iPods – hospital staff training. In many hospitals, the iPods have become an instrument of familiarizing newly recruited staff with the workplace by way of “audio induction” followed by a computer-based test. The induction is based on the method of exploring a place with the help of a Voicemap. Apart from following the voicemap, the recruits get valuable insights on such aspects of their future work as superbugs, moving patients or coping with violence. The first to introduce iPods in this role was Glasgow Royal Infirmary followed by the Princess Royal Maternity Hospital. The practice has already interested a great number of health authorities all over the world. Unlike instructions given by fellow professionals, the Voicemap approach enables to train the whole staff to the same standard and dramatically reduces human error ratio.

And of course, everyone is sure to have met with or even used self-guided audio tours, which are now present in nearly all of the most prominent art galleries and museums.

Are there any disadvantages in the iPod phenomenon and what it brings us? There cannot but be some. For example, many healthcare professionals are voicing their worries about an increased proportion of hearing loss complains among iPod users. In an attempt not to completely eliminate the outward noise, many people (especially younger ones) listen to their iPods at too high levels, which results in deteriorating hearing. The experts also say that no less damaging is the length of listening to an iPod: listening for several hours at a time even at medium volume can be exactly as harmful as deafening oneself with high volumes. Excessive listening damages hair cells in the inner ear. These cells cannot be restored or regenerated, which makes hearing loss incurable. In general, the rules of safer listening to one’s iPod include listening at half of the maximum volume level and making pauses in listening. The louder your iPod sounds, the less time you should afford to listen to it.

An obvious reason for being careful about using the iPod is the danger presented by the user’s intentional switching off of one of the main means of space orienting – hearing. Every time I see someone with ears blocked by the famous white headphones crossing the road, I am afraid for him / her. They might not hear an approaching vehicle.

Finally, I would like to say a few words about possible psychological effects of using iPods. Apart from making a person more secure and relaxed, the personal space created for one by one’s iPod and described above makes a person more pleased with being on his / her own and can presumably one’s willingness to communicate with others. IPod users get used to the conception of listening to music as being an exclusively personal experience and are not as ready to share it as their pre-iPod counterparts. I would take the liberty to say that using iPods contributes greatly to building up high levels of individualism in the society that we already suffer enough from. An iPod creates a secure shell which many may find themselves too reluctant to leave. It is an artificial emotionally comfortable environment that seems to render other sources of pleasure such as live human communication unnecessary. This is especially dangerous for teenagers because it can severely impede their socialization.

Speaking of iPod as the brand name, we cannot but mention recent allegations against Apple who have discouraged a number of people from using its production for ethical reasons. Undoubtedly, Apple deserves respect and admiration in everything that concerns the quality, innovativeness and public appeal of their production. The allegations, therefore, concerned its production process management. It was claimed that an iPod-manufacturing factory in China was having its underpaid workers do 15-hour shifts. Apple send an “audit team” to China to investigate the working conditions. An extended report which was issued by the team showed that although there were some minor violations, the situation was not as bad as it had been pictured. It was explained that the root of all evil lied in the discrepancy between the working standards in the U.S. and in countries which house American overseas manufacture. It appeared that is some of them there were practically no labor unions and working conditions left much to be desired. In this respect, many Americans claimed they did not want to take pleasure and use the iPods which might have been manufactured in sweatshop conditions. The issue, however, appears not as straightforward as it might seem. Unacceptable in the United States, such working conditions might be the best and the only option for thousands of workers in other countries. Moreover, boycotting the production can make the situation even worse because some of the workers risk losing their workplaces and having to change them for none the less sweating but less-paid jobs like those in agriculture.

In conclusion, I would like to say that the phenomenon of the emergence of iPod nation described by Steven Levy not without admiration needs to be treated with caution. Although the iPod is of great help to anyone who wants to make the time wasted on inevitable commuting or, for example, household chores more pleasant or who finds it useful in learning practices, it is extremely important to observe safety rules when using iPods. Moreover, personification of the iPod and addiction to it may have negative psychological consequences if they result in reduced communication with family and friends or willingness to earn new friends.

I am not ready to consider sweatshop allegations against Apple justified enough to become disappointed in the highly respectable company. However, I believe that it is important to demand better working conditions for the workers of overseas manufacturing companies despite working traditions in other countries because it is an important part of the company’s image.

Works Cited

“Hospitals Train Staff with iPods”. BBC News. 29 March 2006. Web. 1 August 2009.

Levy, Steven. “iPod Nation”. Newsweek. 26 July 2006. Web. 1 August 2009.

Millard, Elizabeth. “Is it Ethical to Own an iPod?”. Newsfactor. 29 Sept. 2006. Web. 1 August 2009.

Thepvongsa, Thongpane. “Health: iPod Hearing Loss”. Voice of America. 12 Dec. 2005. Web. 1 August 2009.