ETHNOGRAPHY OVERVIEW
To understand if information received through an iPod can be considered overall beneficial to a user and group of people we must examine data from which we can gain objective information that is in depth.  This also must include argumentative data for both sides of the issue. While presenting the various pieces of information, I will comment on the positive and negative aspects of the opposing arguments. It is also important to not only get sense of the outcomes from using an iPod, but how and why the user engages with it. This should allow us a solid ground to find compelling reasoning to reach a reasonable conclusion.

ANTHROPOLOGY WORKS
Michael Bull’s “Sound Moves,” provides insight into exploring the mind of the iPod user and gives their conscious consequences of its user’s usage. Bull lists quotes from iPod users that have been interviewed that provide a few of these consequences.  Bull interviewed one user, Janet and she shares how the iPod gives her more social control, not in the sense that she affects others, but what information is reached to her:
“Well, I think I've come to the conclusion that overall I feel pretty out of control in my life. Stores play music to get me to buy more. Work tells me what to do and when. Traffic decides how quickly I get from here to there. Even being in public places forces me to endure other people and their habits (the guy slurping his soup, the brat crying for a piece of candy). I didn't realize how much I yearn for control and probably peace and quiet. Strange, since I'm blasting music in my ears. I think I'm really tired of living on someone else's schedule. The iPod has given me some control back.”
(Bull, 8)
The importance here is that Janet feels control over own life now. This appears to be a good example in understanding what one gains from using the iPod. “As Janet struggles to free herself from the oppressive rhythms of daily life she does so through the mediation of her iPod,” (Bull, 8). This would be an example of positive consequence (important to remember that this is according to the user).  Many of Bull’s interviewees comment on the ‘soundscape’ in which they create. It appears to be a common positive consequence to the user to be able to create their own soundtrack to what is happening around them. I would like know if they consider what they miss when they are listening. I believe that they are aware of these ‘missed moments,’ but the good outweigh the bad. Bull does account for a few that make this realization. Elizabeth tells that “[she] tend[s] not to notice people when [she is] plugged in. [she’s] usually too preoccupied with [her]self to look at others” (Bull, 53). Bull’s article does attempt to give both the positive and negative aspects of the argument, but as I said before they are conscious of these aspects, thus able to confess them. I feel that all of the users who do confess these negative effects of the iPod’s use do not see them as negative (they accept them as small losses). The accounts were collected from a survey completed by iPod users, but we must remember that they are consistent listeners so they will find more good. For a more balanced article, it would seem to be more advantageous to also have non-iPod users provide their opinions where perhaps they find more serious negative consequences.
Another article published by Michael Bull is “No Dead Air! The iPod Culture of Mobile Listening” where it seems to show the more practical consequences of iPods. These are less social, but still have social relations. For example one user confesses that having an iPod makes it easier to have constant access to all of his music in opposition to compact discs and cassettes. What this does show is the ability to express oneself through music easier which does has social repercussions. This would again be a positive aspect of listening because if needed, one can show their true self through music, thus acting as a medium to show one’s self.  It also seems that Bull has the most published on iPods and this information could be somewhat one sided.

BLOGS
Searching for blogs that pertain to my argument was particularly difficult and it was even rarer to find positive discussion and criticism. The iLounge forum was particularly interesting because it commented on the iconic image of the iPod. There appears to be a lot of respect for apple and the creation of the iPod. Norah Wick’s blog gives an opinionated blog posting that does show both sides of the argument. The blog gives a quote from Postman listing a few positive aspects. “iPods entertain the mind, body and soul in a many ways. The iPod enables what was once impossible, which was to carry a library of information and entertainment in the palm of your hand and bring it with you anywhere. The iPod is a tool but also a “way of life.” A great example of this is working out in a gym or running outside. You rarely see people interact anymore in a gym. Since people can cut off the world around them with it, they feel they can enjoy themselves by entertaining themselves in their own way, while not disturbing others. Lastly there is a mixed effect; the iPod enables one to fully “zone out” of society and social interaction. This is a mixed effect because it creates a barrier or noise from communicating with others. While this can be seen a disadvantage, sometimes it helps people think, create and feel different. The disadvantage may exceed in importance the advantage, or the advantage may well be worth the cost” (Postman).  This is important to consider because the risks are stated, but this idea that the positive outweighs the negative remains.

Through what I have found thus far it appears that there are many consequences as a result of a user listening to their iPod, as expected a heated amount of evidence showing both the positive and negative. Based on the types of Ethnographic work, because no long term studies could actually be made because this is a relatively new technology, it shows that there are more positive consequences. The iPod is designed for personal pleasure and most users seem to agree it meets those needs.