so Im supposed to listen to a teenager about my lifestyle and music habits??

Please.

Maybe if she moved outta texas to a real state, she just might learn a thing or two.

1. They cause addiction. Warning: When you’re at school and you daydream about getting home to download a new song on your iPod, you are, in fact, addicted to it.

Or you have an addictive personality. So you actually dream about downloading new songs onto your iPod? I find that very hard to believe, and if true - this is a serious problem. Please note the following activities may also be addictive: Smoking, alcohol, watching TV, playing video games, the Internet, life.

2. iPod crazies become iPod hermits. If people give up hanging out with friends to play with or listen to their iPod, they’re obsessed, and it’s a sign they need to get out more. Obsession is not good. In fact, it’s actually quite weird and slightly psychotic.

Once again, I don't anyone who has an iPod who actually decides to listen to their iPod instead of hang out with friends. Maybe if you had better friends…

3. Imaginary iPod friends. When a person names the iPod and starts referring to it by that name, it’s time to switch to the radio for a while. At least we all know there are real DJs on the other end of the box.

Radio sucks, it's just the same 100 songs over and over and over and ov… well you get the idea. Plus there's so many commercials you want to kill yourself. Possibly you only like 100 songs, and love commercials in which case, enjoy the radio. Satellite radio is of course an exception to this.
Human beings like to personalize things, I don't seen anything wrong with giving an iPod name besides it being a little odd.

4. iPod envy. Forget designer clothes separating the haves and have-nots. People with iPods can be wearing secondhand jeans, and they’re still considered “A-list.” Those of us without iPods are made to feel like the red-headed stepchildren of cool.

Not anymore I would think. Those of use with iPods merely have somewhat more taste or prefer the superior usability then those with other mp3 players, and/or have some extra cash and would prefer not to talk to crazy people on the subway. A part time job would quickly provide you with the cash needed and more. As for being A-list, I think you're stuck a year or two in the past. A loser with an iPod is still a loser, a cool kid without an iPod is still cool.

5. There’s no known treatment for iPod-crazy, except to give it up...Quit for a while before you, too, become an iPod zombie.

Sounds like someone wants to be a zombie.

Call me an addict, but my iPod is a life saver. So many songs in so little space. No need for headphones, because it is easily plugged in to whatever stereo is available, not to mention those oh-so-fine Bose speakers that sound like a million bucks!

Texas students are rated 49th in the nation. I guess they have a lot of difficulty understanding a device that works so well.

This article was terrible. Why are you dredging for crap to link to? Have you no taste?

Oh, I'm sorry Jasmine, are other people's iPods giving them an unfair easy ticket to your so-called "A-list" without earning it the way you do by affording better jeans and designer clothes and whatnot? Preoccupation with slotting people into "A-lists" and "B-lists" and what criteria to use to put them there is an obsession that is actually "quite weird and slightly psychotic", don't you think? Just wait till you grow up and all the "A-list" people from high school are living in trailer parks, while all the people who were unhealthily 'obsessed' with gadgets are making six-figure salaries. Which is going to be healthier, d'ya think?

>snort< Kids and their misshapen cosmos and values. When will they ever learn? Oh yeah. When it's too late.

High school freshmen should not be allowed to talk in public...

[This creepy “iPod obsession” has gone too far. Here are five reasons why I hate iPods:]

Creepy? You said that in public? iPod users are creeps?

[1. They cause addiction. Warning: When you’re at school and you daydream about getting home to download a new song on your iPod, you are, in fact, addicted to it.]

When you’re at school and you daydream about getting home to do anything, you are, in fact, daydreaming.

[2. iPod crazies become iPod hermits. If people give up hanging out with friends to play with or listen to their iPod, they’re obsessed, and it’s a sign they need to get out more. Obsession is not good. In fact, it’s actually quite weird and slightly psychotic.]

Crazy iPod Creeps? If people give up hanging out with friends like you, that's normal. Most 'people' don't like people like you, except for when they want uncommitted sex with people like you.

[3. Imaginary iPod friends. When a person names the iPod and starts referring to it by that name, it’s time to switch to the radio for a while. At least we all know there are real DJs on the other end of the box.]

The thing with 'imaginary friends' is they always know when to shut the hell up. They don't need to continuously yammer on and on and on - about themselves and how great everything about them is - to fish for validation from their pathetic clique of 'friends'.

People like you wouldn't spend 3 seconds trying to remember a Crazy iPod Creeps 'real' name, yet you begrudge.

As mentioned you must love the same 50 songs every day. You deserve radio and the 'real' DJ.

[4. iPod envy. Forget designer clothes separating the haves and have-nots. People with iPods can be wearing secondhand jeans, and they’re still considered “A-list.” Those of us without iPods are made to feel like the red-headed stepchildren of cool.]

iPod envy. Daddy wouldn't buy you one, so this is your attempt to 'earn' money for it. Bon Chançe!

So preoccupied with being noticed, yet nothing of interest to offer those that must endure your presense. Uh, except uncommitted sex.

[5. There’s no known treatment for iPod-crazy, except to give it up...Quit for a while before you, too, become an iPod zombie.]

Or get some form of daddy - be it Puff, Sugar or Pole - to cure you!

The Kansas City Star published iPod stories by 2 students. One positive, the other, the one you repeated, negative.
This is the difference between "fair and balanced" journalism/reporting, and someone with an agenda, in this case an iPod bashing agenda.
Checking your credentials, I see that you're a blogging "expert" for the political right, possibly the far right.
Tell us Matt, what exactly does the far right have against the iPod?

Zato, I can't speak for the "far right" since I'm not a member (take a look at this recent post to get an idea of my politics) - http://www.rosenblog.com/2005/05/26 republican_moderates_show_strength.html

As far as the other, pro-iPod piece in KC Star, I didn't see it, but if you want to send me a URL I'll take a look, and consider updating the post with a link to it. As far as balance on the iPod "debate," the open comment string certainly allows for constructive counterpoints to be made, but that is not mainly how the eight commenters prior to you chose to use their opportunities.

My own take on the iPod is that it is one more portable device which has the effect of cocooning people from their surroundings, and from other individuals in public space. Personally, I love music, and have been an avid listener, consumer and (amateur) player for more than 30 years. But, call it old-fashioned, I put music on the same footing as food. It is something special, to really be appreciated, not something to be ingested while walking down the street.

Politics aside, remaining on topic...

[As far as balance on the iPod "debate," the open comment string certainly allows for constructive counterpoints to be made, but that is not mainly how the eight commenters prior to you chose to use their opportunities.]

I confess, my response was a trifle mean. Exactly how would you like people to react to words and terms like: creepy; addiction; iPod crazies; imaginary friends; obsession; zombie; envy; hermits; weird; slightly psychotic; red-headed stepchildren of cool; and implied terms like; anti-social; crazy iPod namers; unpopular C-listers, hmm?

You continue the non-sensical Anti-iPod opinions with...

[My own take on the iPod is that it is one more portable device which has the effect of cocooning people from their surroundings,]

Are iPod Crazies cocooning themselves from people - like you. Or, are they just listening to music.

May I ask 'why' people like you, feel so offended that there are folks in the world that just may not want to listen to you? Maybe this is their way of 'getting out of the house'. You seem to be insensitive that others have DIFFERENT needs than your own. Needs that don't actually conflict of intrude on you.

[and from other individuals in public space.]

It's their space too, must everyone always interact with everyone else while in public? Is it not enough that we ALL courteously respect other's boundaries, and let them experience the 'public' spaces unmolested and intruded upon?

[Personally, I love music, and have been an avid listener, consumer and (amateur) player for more than 30 years. But, call it old-fashioned, I put music on the same footing as food. It is something special, to really be appreciated, not something to be ingested while walking down the street.]

The old axiom, 'you can't legislate taste' comes to mind.

BTW, if 'you' need to be in a sound-proof room 'cocooned' from others as to enjoy 'your' music - that is YOU.

Anyway, you've obviously haven't been invited to any of the NEW Rave parties the kids are into these days. They all wear iPods and Walkmans and dance to their own music! (This is also - just recently - being done at multi-cultural block parties aswell!)

Zombipod wrote:

"Anyway, you've obviously haven't been invited to any of the NEW Rave parties the kids are into these days. They all wear iPods and Walkmans and dance to their own music! (This is also - just recently - being done at multi-cultural block parties aswell!)"

Pitiful. You just scored on your own goal. They're at a "party" all wearing their own headphones??!!

Gawd, why not just stay at home?

Matt,

Thanks for replying to only ONE of the comments that I made. It was the only comment that WASN'T supposed to be taken seriously.

I invite you to look up the word 'sarcasm' an Dictionary.com

Note the two iPod articles from the 26th. The third and fourth link down. There is now a fee to view or D/L.

http://www.kansascity.com/mld/kansascitystar/living/people/teens/

2nd attempt to get the URL to show.

Zato, thanks for the link, but when I pasted it into my browser and went there, it led to the (anti-iPod piece) I had already linked to. I'd still welcome a working URL to a counter-view. (For reasons I'm sure you can understand, I dont permit live URLs within the body of comments here, although legit (non-commercial blog/site links are welcome, as evident in the comment form interface).

ZOMBIPOD: you're right. I should respond to some of the main points you made in rebuttal to my post. So, here goes.

Zombie Pod said:

"Are iPod Crazies cocooning themselves from people - like you. Or, are they just listening to music."

My response: hear the birds sing, be open to contact with others. You can always listen to music at home, or in your car.

ZombiPod said: "You seem to be insensitive that others have DIFFERENT needs than your own. Needs that don't actually conflict of intrude on you."

My response: Be IN your environment, not cut off from it. My point is actually not...about me, or you, or other ZombiPods in isolation, although that word certainly describes their state well enough. It's about shared public space, and the quaint notion of society... about the POSSIBILITY of unplanned interaction, as opposed to the IMPOSSIBILITY of interacting with people, including ZombiPods who are simply content to, as you indicate, not molest the brain waves of others, and who, revealingly, wish to not have their space "molested" by others.

Interaction with strangers is not "molestation", to me, but perhaps, sadly, it is to you.

ZombiPod wrote: "Is it not enough that we ALL courteously respect other's boundaries, and let them experience the 'public' spaces unmolested and intruded upon?"

My Response: iPods and cell phones, now used so incessantly in many public spaces, pose ADDITIONAL boundaries to human interaction. I understand this may not concern you. It disappoints me.

I WROTE: "Personally, I love music, and have been an avid listener, consumer and (amateur) player for more than 30 years. But, call it old-fashioned, I put music on the same footing as food. It is something special, to really be appreciated, not something to be ingested while walking down the street."

ZombiPod replied: "The old axiom, 'you can't legislate taste' comes to mind."

My response: I'm not legislating anything. I'm stating my views. For the record, I would not support anti iPod legislation.

ZombiPod: "BTW, if 'you' need to be in a sound-proof room 'cocooned' from others as to enjoy 'your' music - that is YOU."

My response: Far from being in an isolation chamber, like iPod users, I feel music as an inherently social medium, and love to share it with family and friends, IN REAL TIME, TOGETHER.

[hear the birds sing, be open to contact with others.]

I do that.

[You can always listen to music at home, or in your car.]

I do that, too.

[Be IN your environment, not cut off from it.]

Occasionally we all need a vacation from our environment, not always - but enough to recharge when a 'real' vacation isn't possible or practical. I use music sometimes, I could use Meth.

[...It's about shared public space, and the quaint notion of society...]

Sometimes society is... a quaint notion. Have you been to a music concert lately? Equal moments of 'society' and barbarism, as I learned at Modest Mouse on the 25th. BTW, have you used a restroom in a public area? Less society, more insect politics.

[about the POSSIBILITY of unplanned interaction, as opposed to the IMPOSSIBILITY of interacting with people]

It's great to meet new people, sometimes. Sometimes folks feel harried by the errands and duties they must perform for the benefit of their family and friends. Maybe they just want to get it done. Besides, I personally am not so thick as to not be able to see the clues that someone wants to or needs to speak to me - that I can't remove my earbuds and respond to them. Maybe others are like me, we can only hope.

[including ZombiPods who are simply content to, as you indicate, not molest the brain waves of others, and who, revealingly, wish to not have their space "molested" by others]

Well, I can't speak for other folks, but I've tried the best that I can to observe and repond accordingly to the subtle and/or overt clues that family, friends and strangers give to me regarding any unspoken invitation 'into' their space. I'm not always correct, I'm human.

[Interaction with strangers is not "molestation", to me, but perhaps, sadly, it is to you.]

You don't know me. I won't be convinced that you - or anyone else - cheerfully 'interacts' and accomodates EVERY passing stranger you/they meet with tireless, ebullient conversation. That's just plain silly. Or perhaps it's sad that you must rely on only the kindness of strangers ;-).

[iPods and cell phones, now used so incessantly in many public spaces, pose ADDITIONAL boundaries to human interaction. I understand this may not concern you. It disappoints me.]

The folks that are on the phone, are talking to other folks - people - that aren't currently there to talk with them. Are you insisting that they hang up their phones for any remote possibility that they may make contact with you? Are you insisting that all activities that are performed in public spaces be shared with anyone and everyone close by? Can a family have a picnic in public without sharing every moment with strangers?

[I'm not legislating anything. I'm stating my views. For the record, I would not support anti iPod legislation.]

You seem to be supporting the chastising of those that don't avail themselves for ALL possible human contact. I have a sister-in-law that does that. She doesn't actually have a best friend, she's too busy being aloof to actually 'get involved' with anyone. Her soul never gets sullied with the duller or sadder parts of the lives of the many people that are only her acquaintance. And, she actually plays music loudly when her extended family is at her home. This is a 'barrier' mechanism, no?

[Far from being in an isolation chamber, like iPod users, I feel music as an inherently social medium, and love to share it with family and friends, IN REAL TIME, TOGETHER.]

I would agree to that attitude, that SOMETIMES - maybe even many times, but not ALL times music can be shared. Perhaps that scene in StarTrek IV (Geek Check!) could best represent my meaning (not everyone will enjoy your 'brand' of music - thus the need for 'personal' listening devices).

Anyway, nice debate. I would agree that extra barriers to civil human contact seems counter-productive for a society to function, but maybe we need our own space too. A quick vacation from one another, will enable us to bring something new to our interactions, no?