However, it seems with the evolution of iPods to iPod nanos, Bluetooth devices and other newfangled ear gear, that everyone is tuned to their own personal stations.
In one hour of wandering, I counted 27 iPod or MP3 devices around IU Southeast and more than 50 devices on the University of Louisville campus.
In fact, I sometimes wonder what is blaring into the ears of students, especially the ones that are practically dancing or humming along. It’s an almost irresistible urge to walk up and ask what they are rocking out to.
There isn’t a problem with this, at least not with me. I’m one of the jammers. My iPod is my campus savior sometimes. It helps me focus to study or block out distractions.
Yet, I do have one peeve about campus students and iPods.
I get that you don’t want to be disturbed if you have the buds in your ears, but turning your player up to eardrum breaking levels is somewhat rude and not to mention unhealthy.
To nearby people it sounds like white noise with a mosquito buzz of a guitar solo. Not as cool and suave as you may think. It’s irritating. Especially if there’s studying involved.
According to a recent article in TIME, listening to a music device at anything louder than 80 decibels for longer than 90 minutes a day puts you at a higher risk for permanent hearing loss.
If you’re going to play music that loud, just forget the ear gear.
Now, I am almost always tuned into my personal playlist on my iPod jamming to the latest or some of, in my opinion, the greatest hits, but I try to keep the volume reasonable too.
Generally, if I’m on campus, I like to keep my player low enough so I can hear people around me to some degree as a measure of safety and politeness.
This should be a general guideline for all to follow.
Since iPods are used by more than 70 million people, I’m surprised there aren’t a few regulations about their use in certain buildings or areas like there are for cell phones.
I don’t know how many times I’ve witnessed people walking through parking lots and walk behind vehicles going in reverse or actually run into other people because they couldn’t hear anything.
Very recently I was scared to death because someone had the volume on their iPod up so loud they were oblivious to their surroundings. Yes, it was a near death situation.
An early morning runner nearly got hit by a car in downtown New Albany.
The driver had lost control somehow and the people around were shouting and screaming to get out of the way.
The runner had the volume up so loud that he didn’t realize something was wrong until someone grabbed his arm and pulled him to safety.
If the volume is so loud that they can’t hear shouting, there’s a problem.
I’m not against them having tunes while running, whatever works right? It only becomes an issue if they are going to put themselves or me in danger.
I realize you may want to tune out the world and everyone a mile around you gets it too, but if there’s a chance of danger, turn it down a tad.
Otherwise, rock on, my friend. Rock on.
By GRACE STAMPER
Editor
gstamper@ius.edu
