I’ve been taking the Metro to work for the past three months. When you take public transportation for a decent period of time, you start to notice things you otherwise would casually dismiss. While on foot in downtown Seattle, I’ve taken notice of the ear-bud wearing, steadfast throng of pedestrians who move to their groove of choice in their very own solitary music filled bubble. 

This iPod-toting horde, mostly unaware of the social world outside their bubble, don’t seem to be distracted by the homeless who insistently seek jingling pocket change or that Starbucks mini scone being saved for later.

The ear-buds are an effective means to avoid this sometimes aggressive posturing from the homeless. I wonder what the global impact iPods have on the homeless? On the surface, I can envision both positive and negative scenarios.

What’s your take?