the ipod is no friend of mine

I would agree that the ipod is an icon but not one to be praised. Our culture is on the continual path of disconnection and individualism. The person is substituted for a thing. The person becomes less important. We close ourselves off from one another by plugging our ears with the music of our choice. That way we can deal with the things we want to deal with and the rest is blocked out. 

I would argue that it is not healthy to be able to choose only what you want and then be able to leave out what you don't like, don't care about, or that makes you feel uncomfortable. Part of being human is dealing with conflict, pain and being stretched by things that are unfamiliar or uncomfortable. When we block everything out except what suits us we miss out on life, community, growth and meaningful love.

I never have and I never will own an ipod. I don't want to miss out on a chance to be changed by someone or something that tells me what I want to hear as well as what I don't.