I do not go anywhere with out my MP3 player.
when i first got my Creative Zen i used it on long car rides and when i went to the gym.
soon everytime i went for a run i wore it. I started bringing it with me on a 5 minute walk to a friends house, or even a short drive around town.
When my player broke it was replaced THE NEXT DAY.
eventually... i bought an ipod. now i have two mp3 player.. TWO? why?
why am i addicted to my mp3 player.
in my classes people listen to their mp3 players while they take notes. tons of people in the library have their ear buds in and almost evvvvery person at the gym is listening to music while the work out!
is it that suddenly society has increased their interest in music? NO... people feel insecure and BORED without their mp3 player. what has the world come to? people can no longer entertain themselves with their own thoughts and by just reflecting ... they need music?
i know personally when i am listening to my music i am LISTENING and singing... not thinking about my life and reflecting... like people probably used to do while they were on a walk or a ride or in the gym.
are ipods dumbing down America by taking time away from personal reflection?
Ipod in my pocket
By SamanthaLove - Posted on March 5th, 2008
I guess it depends on why you're listening to music.
I listen to music constantly because I love listening to music. It does help me think, it does help me study. I write better when I'm listening to music. It just has that affect on me.
It probably helps that I listen to a lot of music that has good lyrics (Neko Case, Ben Folds, The National, Rocky Votolato), or I listen to music that doesn't really have lyrics (The Album Leaf, Lymbyc Systym, Sigur Ros).
I don't listen to music when I run or work out--the only reason being my Ipod is almost 5 years old and the battery doesn't like it when it bounces up and down.
A lot of people keep their MP3 players with them, not because they feel insecure, but because they just like to listen to music. And, yes, to relieve boredom. I'm not gonna lie--running on a treadmill or eliptical machine is boring when all you're doing is counting minutes until you've been there for 30. I've tried reading or studying class notes--it doesn't work so well. I know my priest writes his best homilies in his head while he's at the gym.... but that's because working out helps him think in the same way that music helps me. Sometimes people listen to music to pass the time.
And you may not realize it, but you've answered your own question.
"Are ipods dumbing down America by taking time away from personal reflection?"
You're reflecting right now. You and your Ipod-dependent ways. :-)
http://www.progressiveu.org/blog/sawaboof
"...There is a crushing guilt that comes with being a Catholic. Whether things are good or bad or you're simply... eating tacos in the park, there is always the crushing guilt."
-30 Rock-
Although a lot of music today may have a negative influence or concentrate on topics such as drugs and sex, there is also a lot of music (maybe not on the mainstream, but it does exist!) that serves functions other than entertainment. Sometimes, depending on my mood, I may listen to music to relax and to take my mind off the stress that has been following me around earlier that day. Sometimes when I listen to music during my exercise, it encourages me to endure when I begin to get tired. Some music that I listen to as I lay on my bed to think, helps me to reflect on the person that I am, my purpose in this world, and the person that I am versus the person that I should be.
Music can have a positive or a negative influence depending on what your listening to.... its a double-edged sword
I like this blog..music is the greatest!!!
The Ipod thing has its pros and cons.
Personally, I'm still working off of cassette tapes and CDs, so I don't quite understand the need to tune everyone out all the time
http://www.progressiveu.org/blog/hugogirl46
I use cassette tapes too! :-) My car is old and using the cassette adaptor for the ipod in the car takes work. :-P Also, I don't like concentrating on changing my Ipod music in lieu of paying attention to whatever highway I'm driving on.
http://www.progressiveu.org/blog/sawaboof
"...There is a crushing guilt that comes with being a Catholic. Whether things are good or bad or you're simply... eating tacos in the park, there is always the crushing guilt."
-30 Rock-
yea my ipod used to be my best friend until someone stole it.