The iPod, while standing as a technological marvel, perhaps will ultimately claim its place in history as a connector of societies and people. Yes, everyone knows and appreciates the fact that the iPod, or one of the other versions of the iPod, such as the iPod Nano can store, list and play hundreds, if not thousands of songs. And while that is to be admired, perhaps the iPod’s greatest trick is how it can, in some instances and circumstances, bring people together. No, the iPod isn’t going to solve all of the worlds problems and ails, but it can bring two people together to share their personal style who would otherwise never have met, even if they bumped into each other in a crowded square.
When an iPod user sees another iPod user, a bond is created. Those ubiquitous white earbuds are more than just something that delivers music from the player to the listener. Rather, they are a symbol of the revolution that the iPod started when it was first released. There is something about the iPod, and iPod users that isn’t really explainable, or that can’t really be translated into other forms of portable technology.
The iPod is both personal and shared; everyone has an iPod story, or they accessorize their iPod in a certain manner. And, most important of all, many iPod owners and users are dying to either share the music on their iPod with a fellow iPod user, or is interested in listening to what’s on someone else’s iPod.
There are cases of iPod strangers becoming friends, simply by coming up to each other ans asking the simple question “what’s on your iPod?” For some reason, the iPod has a cache that isn’t really inherent in other items like the Walkman, Discman or Blackberry. Nobody would really walk up to a fellow Blackberry user and ask who’s in your phone list, now would they? Granted, a phone list is to be more protected than a music playlist, but song selection is much more personal than the phone number of your hairstylist.
Seeing someone else with an iPod can sometimes create a sense of comraderie. The iPod Nano is the most popular portable digital music player in the world today. However, even though it has and enjoys tremendous popularity, not everyone has an iPod. And those who want to own an iPod don’t really understand the iPod culture and family until they have one.
The music, the portability, the look, the accessories, the style – there are no other MP3 players like the iPod in the world. And once you are part of the iPod family, you literally want to meet every member that’s out there and experience and listen to what’s on their iPod. Just as important, you want to say to someone else with an iPod “hey, you have to listen to THIS.”
Will the iPod open the lines of communication around the world and get people talking, listening and sharing? No, it won’t do that, unfortunately. But, what it can do is that it can introduce iPod listener A to iPod listener B and exchange music, ideas, and maybe even an email address or two. Think about it: if you were in a foreign country, and wanted to know what was popular among the youth of said country, the best way to do so would be to listen to the music of the land. And, depending on your demeanour, most people with an Apple iPod Nano would be receptive to sharing their music with you. That doesn’t mean running up to someone like a madman, trying to shove your earbuds into their skull. Rather, simply introduce youself and your purpose, and you may find someone who is on the same mission as you!
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