The iPod may have its brand genericized, but I still find myself struggling to understand how so many people insist on listening to their iPods at seven in the morning. Give your ears a break, people.

It is one thing to listen to NPR during your morning commute, but to put place earbuds in your ears that early in the morning, and play your iPod so loudly we all know you have whootha-fuck's new song, is demoralizing to human nature. What has the iPod actually done to our society that has made it necessary to listen to music at all times in the day, in all situations of the day - on the train, at the bank, ordering at Chipotle? Isn't the iPod a modern version of the Walkman? Funny, I don't remember everyone busting around their Sony Walkman and tapes at all hours of the day. Well, maybe that is why the iPod is so popular - there are no cds or tapes, just seemingly-endless memory on a wonderfully-designed nifty-looking music player. (I wish I had one. But would that mean I would have to listen to the Dead as I arrive at work a quarter past seven everyday? I would hope not. Not everyday, at least.)

Give it a rest people, the iPod plays music. (And isn't it nice, sometimes, to not listen to music? Like, in the morning?)