So is this an mp3 player or a computer?

This holiday season, I was the recipient of a brand new iPod touch. Though regarded as an mp3 player, the new iPod (as well as most in the touch series) is more like having a miniature tablet in your pocket. Having never had one before, the hours spent downloading apps, syncing my Facebook, e-mail, iTunes, etc. were all much enjoyed. The sheer magnitude of such a small device was mind boggling to me.

I really found out the true worth of my iPod on a flight from LA to Shanghai. With the entertainment being pretty sub-par  I found myself attending to e-mails I’d neglected for seemingly months, as well as reading over Facebook messages and feeds I hadn't responded to. I could pre-write what I wanted, and send the saved material when I found some WiFi later on. This also allowed me to look at Facebook chat conversations, which in my case, gave me access to an address I needed upon arrival.

Though being able to read my pre-loaded e-mails, check already opened Facebook messages and play Star Wars Angry Birds to my heart’s content was and is awesome, I must admit being this connected to anything leaves me feeling a bit scared. Though I’m not concerned about a real world I, Robot situation occurring, having spent the prior six months cell phone-less and checking the Internet once a week, I’m afraid of losing some of the introspective tendencies I learned while off the grid.

Also, I’m afraid of becoming a slave to my technology. Everyone knows the one (or many) friend(s) who stare constantly at their cell phone, always looking at Facebook, checking in or using some sort of social media to talk about how great their current activity is. Technology is great, but like all things in life, moderation is key. Maybe buying a music player for just playing music isn't a terrible idea after all.  

Image courtesy of Apple