‘Cult of iPod’ a great read
Posted by Frank Petrie 
Nov 23, 2005 at 12:42am
“Fire, the wheel and the iPod.” So begins The Cult of iPod (ISBN: 1-59327-066-6), a US$24.95 book from ]No Starch Press that delves not only into how Apple’s little music player that could has effected the tech industry, but how it has changed musical perceptions plus the very culture we live in and its implications for the future.
First, the people responsible for this book, from the author to the graphic designers, don’t miss a chance to let us know how much the iPod fits into everyday life and consciousness. If you keep track of the right hand page numbers, you will find the iPod battery icon. As the book progresses, it slowly loses power. With that kind of detail, you know your in for a heck of a ride. I mean, just look at the cover alone! Can you say ‘intense’?
..and it was good
Contrary to popular mythology, the iPod was not the brainchild of Messrs. Ives and Jobs. In fact, Apple was two years late to the portable digital music party. What Apple did was even more of a breakthrough; they made the device user friendly and, most importantly, they made it cool. The iPod-iTunes-iTMS digital troika wasn’t even the concept of any one at Apple but of Tony Fadell, who became known online as “iClod” for his leaving the party just before the concept skyrocketed. But, the idea had been turned down previously by numerous other manufacturers, including a small Japanese firm, Sony, so who could blame him.
Perhaps the most iconic feature of the iPod are the white earbuds. Scholars have studied this subject and have determined that as far as the street, showing your white earbud’s cord is a silent signal to other iPod owners that you ‘get it.’ Marketing marvel? Hardly. They were made white simply to match the iPod’s case. Such is history.
Theories abound
Some claim that what really makes the iPod special is that it has totally changed our musical listening habits, thanks to the Shuffle Songs feature. The New Yorker’s music critic, Alex Ross, says the shuffle feature leads to unusual, and sometimes magical, musical juxtapositions. “The little machine goes crashing through barriers of style in ways that change how I listen.”
iPods have also changed the DJ scene. Instead of lugging crates of vinyl, a mixer, two iPods and a descent sound system has changed the way many DJs work. Even to the point of creating playlists for special ocassions such as weddings, family reunions, clubs, etc. Some clubs invite users to bring their iPods to play their dream thirty minute playlists. They sign up and await their turn. If they start getting booed, they get the hook.
Entrepeneurs
And what iPod treatise would be complete without exploring the many accessories have been created for the famous/infamous gadget. Handbags for one, handbags for 17, recording mics, FM transmitters, chargers and probably more skins than there are songs to put on your iPod. And that’s just scratching the surface. There are also services who will, for a fee, convert your entire CD/vinyl collection to the format of your choice, ready for loading. They’ll then ship them back to you via DVD, hard drive or multiple iPods.
Crime and Punishment
The most known effect is related to those iconic white earbuds. Some reports claim that the recent rise in New York City armed robberies can be laid directly at the dock of the iPod. Then there are those who use their iPods to syphon applications like Office of off store demo computers with a simple FireWire connection. But it’s not all bad. One quick thinking owner who was being attacked, grabbed his iPod mini, held it like a dagger and beat down his assailant.
Summary
This book is priceless. Even if someone you know has no interest in ever obtaining an iPod, they’ll love this book. You would never think that something like this could have such a major impact on the human psyche, but here’s the proof.
Curl up in your favorite chair, make a steeping hot cup of tea, put in your buds, hit shuffle and then relax for a wonderful read.
Macsimum rating: 10 out of 10
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Frank Petrie
Frank Petrie is a freelance writer, technologies and products specialist and curmudgeon-in-training.
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Paul Says:
I finally found & purchased the book. As suggested I got in my favourite chair (outside), plugged in my blue ipod mini & began to read.
It is great. The graphics the stories are a help in explaining why the iPod is so hugely successful.
Posted on April 17, 2006