The iPod Revolution

During the past few years, the iPod has become a part of popular culture has created a music revolution. It has completely changed the way we listen to music and how we share our personal playlists with others. The iPod with its trademark white earphones is used as a tool to identify ourselves with other iPod owners and creates a sense of 'belonging.'

iPod People
Image by Paul Burd
http://www.onedigitallife.com/downloads/

Apple has developed a unique device that is able to hold thousands of songs and media files that can be accessed all with the push of a button. This isn't anything new, there are plenty of music players that do the same thing; but what's so different about iPods? Apple has seemingly created a cult of followers who are loyal to the brand, whether it is the iPhone, iPod, iPad or MacBook. Most people consider these products as 'hip' and feel obliged to buy them or risk being j ridiculed for not engaging in popular culture.

iTunes has a feature that allows iPod users to share their entire music library to complete strangers and also explore peoples' playlists. Levy (2006, 16) says, "naturally, when you look at someone's music, you make judgements." Sharing playlists enables people to judge each other on musical taste. Levy (2006, 14) states that "a subject's playlist can be as revealing as a diary." A playlist can determine a person's mood, age and of course their preferences.

Reference List

Levy, S. 2006. "Identity" in The perfect thing: how the ipod shuffle commerce,  culture and coolness, edited by Steven Levy, 21-41. Simon & Schuster Paperbacks. Accessed March 21, 2011. https://cmd.library.qut.edu.au/KCB201/KCB201_BK_272671.pdf