By Tony EvansThe Daily Northwestern
Most Northwestern students can’t imagine life without an iPod. The appeal of Apple’s fashionable MP3 player transcends the lines of gender, race and politics. Yet there is still a small minority of students who don’t own iPods. While most students enjoy the convenience of MP3 and video files on the go, a rare few walk the paths of NU in grim silence. This is their story.
Weinberg junior Jeff Greco doesn’t own an iPod. Instead, he owns a Creative Zen Xtra. Although the Zen Xtra can hold 60 gigabytes of movies and music, the device is significantly larger than the iPod, and its boxy design makes Greco feel overweight.
“One time, I got so frustrated that I almost went to the Apple Store and bought one,” Greco said. “But then I remembered – this is who I am. Not owning an iPod is what defines me as a human being. And I wouldn’t trade that for anything.”
NU students find different ways to live without the convenience and style of the iPod. Some students, like Greco, make use of inferior, off-brand MP3 players. Others hold steadfast to their outdated CD players and walkmen. An extreme few choose to live in silence.
In some cases, NU students feel socially marginalized because of their portable music choices. Finding common ground can be difficult for some. The iPod’s signature ear buds and easy-to-use interface make iPodless students feel out of place.
The releases of the increasingly portable Nano and Shuffle models have only made matters worse.
“It isn’t easy to make friends when you’re missing this basic experience that everyone else has,” said Medill freshman Jenny Thorpe. “People at parties are always talking about their favorite iPod colors and which generation had the best design, and I never have anything to say. My friends always say that I’m ‘stuck up’ and ‘self-segregating.’ But I just don’t have anything to talk about. What the hell is a podcast, anyway?”
Although students face overwhelming social pressure to “Go Apple,” not owning an iPod has become a source of pride for some. NU students without iPods continue to uphold their deep-rooted cultural traditions and beliefs, finding solace and camaraderie in the fringes of NU’s iPod-centric culture.
“A lot of people give me shit about for not owning an iPod, but I don’t care,” said Weinberg senior Jack McCall. “This is my culture, and if you don’t like it, that’s too bad. And if you ever criticize me, I will call you an idiot and organize a rally against you.”
McCall is a member of the Northwestern Eight Track Society, a tight-knit student group with a notoriously anti-Apple agenda. NETS is one of many groups at NU dedicated to alternative music listening devices.
With the release of the Apple iPhone looming in the horizon, the future looks grim for NU’s quietest minority. But there is little doubt that the iPodless heroes of diversity will stand strong with their values and identities.
Weinberg senior Tony Evans can be reached at [email protected].
