An Open Letter to iPod Detractors

"I have a dream that my four children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their headphone wires but by the content of their character."

Ok, so maybe it wasn't exactly like that. But does anyone else feel my pain here? Does anyone else feel that freedom and personal choice is being assaulted on our campus? Have you noticed the animosity in the air? It's not about race, religion, or even caffinated drinks. What is with the discrimination of iPod users?

As a disclaimer, I will admit to being one of "those," yes, I own an iPod and I use it frequently on my walks to, around, and from campus. Can you blame me? I like music (strike one). I like technology (strike two). I like smart design, effciency and quality (strike three). I also like to punch puppies and think I'm better than most everyone I meet. But that's another topic for another day.

What set me off was a letter to the editor of the "Daily Universe" (which of course is the realm of the irrational and the pious) decrying the use of iPods. One of many. Apparently, this specific person was walking to campus, revelling in the glories of nature around him, having some spiritual epiphany or some such. As he looked around to see who else was on his spiritual plain to celebrate with him, all he saw were mindless iPodians with their hands in their pockets and their eyes to the ground. What horror! iPods are taking over the minds and souls of all they touch! Call the police! Call your senator! Write a letter to the editor!

There are so many holes in this letter that it isn't even funny. First of all, what's it to you? Are you so worried about these people? Are they shooting up heroin? Are they lighting kittens on fire? Are they drinking Coke? You might personally not enjoying listening to music on your walk to class, but someone might. God bless America, where you can do what you want. Personally, I have issues with Abercrombie and Fitch clothing. Notice the use of the word "personally." Does that mean that I have some sort of right to judge those who wear it? Not really. What made you, Mr. Writer, so incensed that you felt that you should write about it? Oh wait, this is BYU home of self-righteousness and the judging of others.

Second of all (and this is what really gets me going), is the singling out of one group. iPods. Somehow those white wires make you socially isolated and snobby, but having a Rio with black headphones is acceptable. If you want to moan about people hypnotized by personal music players (which isn't really your business anyway, as previously established) why attack iPods? CD players are that much better? Is it because it's "trendy"? So a lot people have iPods. Big deal. Do you only buy an iPod because you saw it on The OC? No. Do those people exist? Of course. Does even that make them bad people? No. If you can find a better MP3 player with the same features and abilites, let me know. Because I sure can't.

I can see your point, though. Technology and the abuse of technology are rapidly becoming issues for public debate. Cell phone and personal music ettiqute is important, and not realized nearly often enough. Take the headphones out when you're talking to someone. Don't use them in class when someone is presenting. Don't have them up so loud that you can't hear when a friend yells a "hello" from across the street. Anything to an extreme is not a good thing. However, if technology abuse is really your problem, then write about that. That's a reasonable debate. If your problem is with iPods and the people who love them, then just keep your judgments to yourself. And don't ever try one out. You might just end up liking it and boy, would that be some tough stuff to swallow.