Last updated on April 6, 2011
“Two years ago, at the nadir of the financial crisis, the urban sociologist Sudhir Venkatesh wondered aloud in the New York Times why no mass protests had arisen against what was clearly a criminal coup by the banks. Where were the pitchforks, the tar, the feathers? Where, more importantly, were the crowds? Venkatesh’s answer was the iPod: ‘In public spaces, serendipitous interaction is needed to create the ‘mob mentality.’ Most iPod-like devices separate citizens from one another; you can’t join someone in a movement if you can’t hear the participants. Congrats Mr. Jobs for impeding social change.’ (…)
If it’s easier than ever to listen to other people’s music, it’s also more tempting than ever to do so all alone. Walkman listening never lost the stigma of the juvenile; the sophistication — and expense — of the iPod have made adulthood safe for solipsism as never before.”
This is from a fascinating essay in the spring 2011 issue of n+1 magazine, with some additional discussion here. I could not find the whole essay online, so I’m afraid those who are interested in reading it in full will have to buy the magazine.