The Definition of the Man: His iPod
The watch is the most defining accessory a man can wear. Nothing speaks about what type of person he is more than his watch. Not his tie, not his shoes, not his belt. I think it is mainly a result of the varied incarnations a watch can take on based on material, size, and brand. He could have a wristwatch, a chrono, a digital, a calculator. He could have quartz. He could have automatic movement. And no matter how wild or crazy a tie can be, it has a finite number of executions: a straight, a clip-on, a bow, or a bolo. And a belt is more functional than stylistic. No matter how big the buckle, it still has holes in it and it still weaves through belt loops. Yup, the watch is the accessory that offers a portal into the very character of the man.
That is what I used to think. But with over 3 million sold and over 50% market share, the iPod might need a closer look. I argue that the iPod tells a lot more about the man than a watch ever could. The market appeal of the iPod spans generations, geographical locations, gender, and ethnic group. The bottom line (in a generic, under-educated, english as a second language translation): You dig music? You like to hear music? You need iPod. And although in turn, I can, at any given crowded street find a man, woman, and child with those white earbuds in their ears, I am going to concentrate on the mystery of the man�The man and his iPod.
The way a man wears his earbuds. The way he carries it in his pocket. The way he navigates the scroll wheel. These are the nuances that separate the punks from the stiffs. The dorks from the losers. The mere mortals from the god.
Even though prior to the release of the iPod mini, iPods only came in one color and one relative size, the subtle varieties within models and how they are used are as varied as the once-defining watch. But boy are they stylish. It’s no secret that they have become the “it” accessory these days. And although making gross generalizations sometimes gets me into trouble, this is my column so I am going to say whatever I want. I will define the different types of iPod-using men using men I see on the train every day to and from work. Let’s call these guys case-subjects because they don’t know I’m talking about them, and frankly it makes it sound more official and way more scientifically based. Some details have been observed by me throughout the last few months on my train commute (Franklin commuter line in Boston if anyone’s interested)�and I have fabricated some details to fill in the blanks. As you will see, each is a god of a man in their own right.
Case Subject #1: The All-About-The-Music Man
Said subject bought the first generation iPod but only after owning a Rio MP3 player first. He is always craving the best vehicle to hear his beloved jams. When the iPod first came out, he liked it but needed to hear it at the Apple Store first. And once he heard it, he agreed to buy it well before he knew how much it would cost him. Money is no object when it comes to quality tunes, man. He wears his iPod in his jeans pocket. He quickly replaced his Apple earbuds with in-ear earphones from Seinnheiser and has now moved on to those big Bose Noise-Reduction headphones, bobbing his head up and down to the greatest hits of Lynyrd Skynyrd. I saw him miss his stop once as he was kicking out the jams.
But this man marches to the beat of his own drum. He does not let style or convenience dictate the quality of his listening experience.
Case Subject #2: The All-About-Apple Man
Said subject also bought a first generation iPod, but he bought it the day it came out. He spends the train ride working on his Powerbook or reading MacWorld. He continues to use the Apple earbuds because he feels that nothing Apple makes is inferior. He looks like a model for the Apple Store. He has MacWorld visitor passes hanging from his computer bag. He is always trying to make eye contact with me. Probably to give me the iPod Nod of Approval:)
This man is equally godly. He is a true disciple of Jobs and his unwavering allegiance to Apple has bought him a founding father status in iPod Nation.
Case Subject #3: The iPod is the “It Thing” Man
Said subject uses a 3G iPod which he bought after seeing Beyonce using one on MTV. He uses every opportunity to flash his iPod so that other people know he has one. Little does he know that 10 other people on my train car also have one. He doesn’t use an iPod case nor does he put it in his pocket. Rather he holds it in his hand and plays Parachute on it for the entire trip. I am not entirely convinced he even listens to it. Who knows? Who cares?
Apparently his hot girlfriend does. Because she sports an iPod of her own and for this he is also a god.
Case Subject #4: The Gadget Man
Said subject has a 3G iPod and an iPod Mini. Who knows why he needs both. He also has a Blackberry, a Palm, a Bluetooth Phone, and a laptop. This guy could control the space shuttle from his seat right next to me. He bought his first iPod because it was revolutionary. I have seen him use it, but he always has this serious look on his face. I think he just likes having it to have it. When the train pulls into the station, he carefully folds up his earbud cords. His foam earbud covers look very clean. A far cry from the faded partially ripped ones I have.
As a man who knows his high-tech gear, choosing his iPod to join his suite of supergadgets make him the envy of cash-strapped men everywhere.
Case Subject #5: The iPod-As-Gift Man
Said subject is older than most iPod users out there. He must have received the iPod as a gift from his grand kids for his daily commute. He is never using it on the train platform. He always takes his seat, carefully removes it from his briefcase, always looks to see which earbud goes in which ear and then spends at least 5 minutes to start the music. His grandkids probably told him this would help him get through the commute. And no matter if he is listening to the Beastie Boys, an audiobook, or the Gettysburg Address he does his iPod proud.
Little does he know he has joined the iPod Revolution. But he is enjoying his music with the greatest personal music player out there. For this he is also godly.
Men. I salute you.
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Comments
I’m #1. I have a 1st Gen iPod… 5 gig, in one of the first aftermarket cases ever. It’s blue, spongy, and it has a belt clip. iPod rests in my jeans pocket on the train to/from work (Max in Portland, OR) - I’m never without it. I spent $100 on an aux-in device for my car stereo so iPod can plug in directly for best sound quality. I spent $160 on Bang & Olufsen earbuds because they sound amazing. I’ve got Boston Acoustics speakers on the computer for the same reason.
It’s not “my iPod” or “the iPod” ... it’s iPod. You name a cat, which never comes when you call it. So my iPod is iPod. When I start talking to it, then you can worry.
It’s all about the music, stupid.
- Bill
- Portland, OR
Phantom iPod owner:
This person always has the Apple ear buds in and seems to be rocking out, but you never see the iPod. They don’t have the remote control and the wire just disappears into their bag or coat pocket. They never fast forward, rewind or switch playlists. Hmmm. Maybe the ear buds are just a front. They’ve just got them plugged into some crappy CD-player. They desire the ‘je ne sai qua’ of iPod ownership without actually owning the best of breed MP3 player.
I cross two categories. First and foremost I am The-All-About-Apple-Man. I started off with the 5gig iPod when it was first released, now I have the 30gig which I spoil with accessories. I listen to it while typing away on my 17” PB on the train. When finished, I reach into my Timbuk2 bad specifically created for the 17” marvel and pull out the latest issue of MacWorld and/or Mac Addict. However, my sick obsession has turned me into Gadget Man as well. In one pocket I house my iPod, in another my Palm Tungsten C, in another my Sony Ericsson T68i, and somewhere in my bag is my digicam just in case. During the winter I can be seen wearing my Scott eVest Stealth Jacket that houses each of these devices wired together one way or another. I have some issues..and possibly an iPod identity crisis.
I guess I’m a gadget man (on a college student budget). I love my Pentax Optio S digital camera and my Logitech MX900 8-button mouse (and some day I’d like to get a BT phone, if Verizon ever offers one). But I’m also a breed of iPod user not mentioned in the article. An iPod Convert.
I have long walks to class at school and my hand-me-down Sony minidisc player was too much of a hassle and I didn’t like having to load new songs every night. I needed to have more songs at my fingertips. After some quick research, I realized that the iPod was the thing for me (and a few million others, I guess). I should mention that at the time I had a one-year-old P4 Dell, not a shabby computer by any means.
I went to the Apple Store intending to get a 5GB, 2G iPod. I left with the 10GB (in retrospect a FAR wise investment).
Fast forward a year… I sold the Dell on eBay (for CRAP money, because I was too anxious for the new computer), and now have a DP G5, and 15GB 3G iPod. I got the Belkin Voice Recorder, Griffin iTrip, Timbuk2 carrying case, and Monster iCable. My iPod (referred to by my co-workers as the “MP-thingy”) plays me through my work day, and sits, unwaivering and unskipping, by my side when I drum along to its music. It walks to me class, stores my calendars and contacts, and keeps me company when I remember to go the gym. I’d rather leave the house without my cell phone than my iPod.
I guess I’m a poor man’s Gadget Man and a Thank You Apple Man.
fantastic article Greg! I span about 3 of those personas - I am somewhat a #1, I too did an enormous amount of research on which headphones to buy and ended up getting the B&O earbuds like Bill did. They are a excellent balance of form and function. I also would never enjoy my digital music with just a dinky line out: it must be an optical or digital connection or I’d rather be left with silence.
I am also #2 an all-apple-all-the-time guy. I tote my laptop around everywhere, and brandish my iPod even to the bathroom at work.
As the #3 “it thing” man - I knew the larger capacity iPods were more cost effective, but I just had to have the iPod mini. It made it an easy decision because SF was blessed with the flagship Apple Store that really got an unfair amount of iPod minis. I have had my mini since the day they were shipped to retailers - all I had to do is walk in and lay down the money.