Since the turn of the century, American culture shifted from big and bulky media to smaller, more personalized entertainment. Students and teachers on this campus, and across the nation, can be seen carrying iPods and other variations of MP3 players throughout the day.

The advent of these tiny media players, which fit in the palm of your hand, has made music more portable and accessible for all.

An MP3 file is a compressed form of a digital media file, usually an audio song. These MP3 files are one-eleventh the size of a standard song file stored on a CD.

Apple’s flagship, the iPod, is a form of a MP3 player. The current craze for all things iPod has caused their popularity (and Apple’s stock) to skyrocket. People of all ages are caught up in this trend, as thousands compete for the newest versions of iPod.

“I use my iPod quite a bit; in fact I listen to it every night before I go to bed,” Brad Smittcamp, ’06, said. “I got a green iPod mini for Christmas, and it was the best gift I got. I have already spent over twenty dollars on songs.”

Alternatives exist for those individuals who do not wish to be caught up in the craze; companies like Creative Labs, Dell, Rio and Sony offer music entertainment systems, much like the ubiquitous iPod.

As other MP3 players continue to flood the market, Apple is losing their monopoly in the personal entertainment market. Apple’s major competition remains companies that keep producing MP3 players at competitive prices.

“I don’t see why some people feel that they have to pay an extra hundred dollars or more on an iPod when Creative Labs offers a better system at a cheaper cost,” Daniel Kessler, ’06, said. “I spend a lot of time with my Creative Labs Zen Touch. I think that anyone who buys an iPod is just a follower.”

Some students on campus feel that MP3 players in general should be banned from the public eye. They advocate a no tolerance stance towards personal entertainment systems.

“I hate Apples and iPods; in my opinion, they are a waste of time and money,” Paul Kinnear, ’06, said. ” I would much rather save my money and spend my time socializing with friends.”

A growing number of adults appear to be caught up in chasing the iPod fad, much like their teenage counterparts.

“This is no fad ? the iPod has changed my life, it is my precious,” Andrea Kozek, 29, said in a USA Today’s article, “In iPod America, legions in tune” [Feb. 1, 2005].

Currently, this campus bans all CD players, MP3 players and other multi-media entertainment systems on school property and at school-sponsored functions.

“We ban music on campus for two reasons,” Scott Falk, campus Bible teacher, said. “We don’t know what kids are listening to when the head set goes on. Also, people shut out others instead of communicating with their friends on campus.”

For some, the appreciation of music does not rely on the purchase of an iPod or other MP3 player.

Akiko Work, ’06, possess no MP3 or CD player. She believes that one learning to be content brings happiness.

“After a certain point, technology becomes superfluous,” Work said. “Essentially, it just ends up adding to the distractions of everyday life.”

For more information on school regulations regarding MP3 players, contact the high school office at 299-1695, ext. 5.

Try visiting www.apple.com, www.creativelabs.com or www.dell.com for more specifics on MP3 players.