As David Bull says in the article:
The iPod allows people to control their environment, more so than any other technology. In a world where we have little sense of control over our everyday lives, it can be very satisfying to control how you interact with your environment. You have a playlist that you listen to while you're out walking around New York ... certain songs that remind you of the city. But the real sound of New York is shut off. You're controlling what your image of the city is. We are fine-tuning the relationship between our own feelings and environment.This is how I survive the Subway and all the crazy people.
There's a paradox between the cosmopolitan nature of a city and the iPod, which signifies something else. As users become more locked into their increasingly subjective pleasure, they ... (are remaking the) world in their own image. It's the idea that, "I don't want to hear loud people; I want to be left alone," and the iPod allows that. The paradox is, cosmopolitism resides in the person's iPod. It's often the most amazing array of music from around the world; the rich mix of songs around the world contrasting with the chilly nature of the city.... Where does diversity go? In our pocket.
