I fantasize about going back to the click wheel iPod, loading it up and going to classes at NCSU. Its screen was a delight, its interface and minimal and pragmatic. I loved it. There were edges where now there are none. Amit Gawande writes about having lost something when Apple killed the iPod. When you can have everything, everything has less value.
Sure, I could still fall back to my music-listening style of yesteryears with my smartphone. But the “smartness” of the device already hinders any semblance of focus that the one-purpose iPod allowed. I also understand that there are a lot of positives to streaming services. The discovery of new music and artist is one big plus. But what is a discovery worth if I don’t feel the emotion behind it?
We’re living a dream come true with the celestial jukebox, but we can’t help but feel nostalgic.
