The Ecology of Media

I’m sure when Apple invented the iPod, its intended purpose was to provide an easily transportable device that would effectively store and play music.

However, the unintended consequences of this newly mobile music make it possible for people to listen to music virtually anywhere and at anytime. Thus, instead of my peers listening to the sounds of nature which permeate our lovely campus–singing birds and wind rustling through the trees-they listen to Fergie telling them how lovely her “lady lumps” are.

Don’t get me wrong, I love music as much as any young person, yet I can’t help but think it strangely ironic that a device meant to bring sound to one’s ears has systematically deafened a large number of my peers. I use the term “deafened” both literally and figuratively, of course. For let’s not forget that these iPods come with another unintended consequence – increased use of headphones. These headphones not only make it possible for my peers to both listen to and block out sound, but have also been linked to hearing loss.

We all love music and while the iPod may have the ability to bring us all the music we ever wanted, it can also take our ability to hear it away.