The Ipod and the Fury; A Reality Check of the Most Recent Reports on Moblie Music and Hearing Loss

“Everything is good in moderation” is a phrase I think can be applied to this weeks’ reading which dealt with Ipods and hearing loss. The articles presented the case of the Louisiana man that sued the Apple company accusing them of selling Ipods that were “ inherently defective in design and not sufficiently adorned with adequate warnings signs regarding the likelihood of hearing loss.” This case calls to mind the Mc Donald’s lawsuit, where they were sued for making people fat. People need to realize that when you buy something no one is going babysit you and tell you how to use it. You take your own actions, you are the one who decides what volume you will listen to. I think Deanna Meinke puts it best when she explains “The risk is there but the risk lies with the user and where they set they volume.” I think it is ridiculous that this man tried to blame Apple and hold them accountable for his lack of self discipline. It simple if you want to reduce your risk lower your damn volume! I personally think I listen to the volume way to high but it is a risk I am willingly to take. Everyone I know is always constantly telling me to lower the volume, my friends will even tell me “How can you listen to that blasting your ears!” Last year, My grandmother even took it upon herself to present me with the facts of how such behavior causes permanent damage and leads to eventual hearing loss. I have had four ipods within the last couple years and this pocket size device is simply something I cant live without. Whenever I put on my headphones, its a chance to block everything out therefore the louder the better. Brian J. Fligor, director of diagnostic audiology states “Noise-induced hearing loss is something that develops slowly and insidiously” now this I find comforting. All I can say for now is that I agree that individual tolerances vary as well as preferred listening levels. Listening your Ipod is an experience everyone has to take responsibility for their actions. As for me, I’m off to buy some noise canceling headphones.

Exposure to Degrading Versus Nondegrading Music Lyrics and Sexual Behavior Among Youth

By: Steven C. Martino, Rebecca L. Collins Marc N. Elliot, Amy Strachman, David E. Kanaouse and Sandra H. Berry

Although the article presented quite an extensive amount of research regarding the effects of listening to degrading lyrics, It still fails to convince me. The article claims that listening to music with sexually loaded language makes one prone to engaging in risky sexual behavior at an earlier age. I disagree with this because I believe it all comes down to the individual and the environment they were brought up in. There are many different factors that can account for why teens engage in sexual activities, and this article suggest degrading lyrics in popular music is one of the main contributors. Although I have my own biases as an avid listener of such music, I don't think that it has to this point it placed me at a greater risk than those who don't. Teen pregnancy and STDs have long been issues and study that aims to link this to music is a waste of time. Why not use the resources to try tackle the issue at hand instead of trying to find a culprit. Teens may look to the media for information about what is popular and how they should act but is up to individual. Everyone has their own morals and values they adhere to and this ultimately decides how they conduct themselves. Many of my friends who listen to music that in this article would be classified as “sexually degrading” are still virgins. They see no extra pressure exerted by the music they listen to. Its your personal choice, music is a means of expression and should not be used a scapegoat for reckless teen behavior.

Brother Ray by David Ritz

David Ritz relates his memories and the creative writing process behind his book that details the life and story of the talented musician Ray Charles. Ritz in the article, gives the reader a senses of what it was like to work under Ray and insight to the character of the man behind the piano. It illustrates the struggles the artist faced during his battle with cancer as well as documents the changes he underwent spiritually.From this we learn the determination and the strength Ray Charles possessed not only in the music world but also his personal life.I thought this piece was written beautifully. Everything about captured my attention from the way it was written to the selection of detail. The line that stands out to me is “ She knew I’d have to fight the fucking world and bend it my way.So I bent it my way.” I feel this captures the essence of Ray Charles a man as Ritz describes “ had no trace of self-consciousness, no pretensions.” Ray did his own thing and never let anyone change him, he was truly someone to look up to. Furthermore,Ritz does an exceptional job at showing the reader the passion Ray felt for his music. When you read this paper, one can clearly that there was no Ray without music.The phrase “eliciting the thoughts of his secret heart” I feel is the perfect description of the paper as a whole. Brother Ray has to be my favorite piece of the readings as it is the most real and raw telling of a man last days. The paper captures all the struggles one faces in their finals days and most importantly leaves a lasting impression of the legacy of Ray Charles.