Taylor Wright
English III
Fangmann
25 April, 2006
MP3 Players and Society
I’m quite sure you have heard of the gadget called an ‘MP3 player’. Well, these little devices are the most recent in an evolution of music formats that have helped consumers enjoy their tunes. From records to CDs, none of these even come close to the convenience and control that MP3 players provide. Hundreds, even thousands, of songs in the palm of your hand. What’s not to like?
You may be wondering, what is so great about these things? Well, for one, there is the convenience. Being able to take all your favorite tunes with you on the go is a very attractive sales-point. Not having to carry loads of CDs or tapes with you is definitely a big plus. Instead, you can just put the tunes from your CDs onto your MP3 player. Holding hands with convenience is size. Instead of having to hold a big, heavy circular saucer in your hand, you can slip a thin and sleek device right on in your pocket. And putting the songs onto the device is quite simple. Most, if not all, MP3 players come with specific music manager software for that device. Once you’ve loaded the software onto your computer, you’re just a couple of clicks away from jamming your tunes.
The MP3 player’s ease-of-use plays a big role in why these gadgets are so hot in today’s society. From the location of the buttons to using the software, it all matters. Modern society has seemed to take a shine towards the iPod for those reasons. Instead of having to browse through every song to get to the one you want to hear, with an MP3 player you can browse through your music library with the LCD screen (that most have). Most, if not all, MP3 players have very simple software to install on your computer. Once installed, you are usually guided in what to do next if you are not sure.
The MP3 player has its technical reasons of why they are so great, and it also has its fashionable reasons. MP3 players are very trendy and fashionable in today’s modern society. They seem to be a status symbol for a lot of people. For example, if you have an iPod, then you are assumed to be wealthy. If you have an MP3 player that isn’t popular, then people won’t even really acknowledge that you have one. A lot of people who buy them often get them for two main reasons. One, for their music. Two, to show off. Pulling a small, sleek-looking MP3 player out of your pocket looks pretty cool. People take advantage of that, and make sure people can see that they have one; especially in school. For some people it is like a part of their every day apparel. Put on socks, shoes, shirt, pants, and of course the MP3 player in the pocket.
MP3 players are especially handy if you have an ‘on-the-go’ lifestyle. If you are constantly moving, and would like to listen to music while you’re at it, then that is where they are put in to use. Go to the airport and look at how many people you see with an MP3 player. Especially business men that are constantly flying back and forth somewhere. It makes waiting for your flight much more enjoyable and relaxing. Tons of people use them while they exercise. Since most, if not all, MP3 players have holsters, people just clip them onto their waist or arm. Skateboarders and extremists often listen to them while they perform. Music often pumps them up and helps them block-out outside noise. Doing so helps them focus on what needs to be done.