For Christmas I was given the greatest present I have ever received in my short 21 years of existence – a 20-gigabyte iPod made by Apple. Since then my life has turned around. If you recognize me from my terrible picture in the top right-hand corner, either from my workplace on High Street or because I am constantly meandering around campus, then you might have seen me with my white headphones, bobbing my head, humming or mouthing the words to some of my favorite songs. Do I look like a fool? Probably. Do I care? Not really. Will I change? I said I didn’t care, so most likely not.

My iPod has revolutionized my life. I take it everywhere – I mean everywhere. I have it when I walk to class, to work, to get some lunch, even if I’m only going two blocks and I only get a chance to listen to a few songs. I have even tried to listen to it while taking midterms and exams, with mixed success. It is handy for long road trips and for studying at my favorite café or the library. I take it everywhere. I am not the only one. If you are like me, then you see others walking around campus with their white headphones and iPod attached at the hip. The iPod users are out there and because of constant propaganda and marketing there are many out there who want to be a part of this craze.

But why? Well it is more than propaganda and it is more than keeping up with the latest technology. It is the simple fact that people love music and CD players do not cut the mustard and the traditional mp3 player does not hold as many songs. Sure there is an uphill battle with the cost of today’s technology and these puppies are expensive, especially to many young folks, but despite the cost some will argue the comfort is worth it.

Alongside the iPod comes the Internet software iTunes, which if you did not know is the 99-cent download software available not only for Apple but for the PC as well. It is considered to be one of the strongest attempts to have a customer and record-label-friendly downloading service. A criticism of Apple’s new venture is iTunes is killing the music album, making a music-single friendly world. Some people scoff at the fact others are still paying for a song, but I scoff at those who download without consideration of the industry they are hurting and the artists that are losing more than gaining.

The most revolutionary thing about my iPod is how it has changed my CD purchasing. I used to buy two to four new CDs a month, but since the emergence of the iPod my average has been cut in half. This could mean many things, which may have nothing to do with my iPod. I could simply be refining my tastes, limiting what I feel is necessary to purchase or it could mean many of the new releases in music this year are just crap and I wouldn’t waste my money on them. Either way, I am not sure how the recording industry is benefiting from my dwindling interest in purchasing music. When I buy a CD I ask myself – is it iPod worthy? I am still waiting to see how this is benefiting the industry.

The iPod only upsets me when the battery runs out – but it’s rechargeable, so I deal with it. Does this make me superficial – only impressed with the advancements of technology? No, not really, but I am in love with this little gadget as it brings my life a little comfort. Is it essential for life? No, not at all, even though I would utterly hate to lose or damage it.

I fear for the music industry because if a hardcore music buyer like myself is buying fewer and fewer CDs, then what can the industry do next to save itself? Again, maybe it is not me, maybe it is them for not making records worth purchasing. I know Apple is making a fortune on its product, and iTunes is splitting profits with the labels from its downloads, so does all of this really matter? In the music business one has to ask: What matters most, the bling bling or the art? The answer seems to be the bling bling, with an exception here and there.

Alejandro Ramirez is a junior in film. He can be reached for comment at [email protected].