There are many benchmarks for success. Marketshare, revenues, awards, endorsements. Few, I would argue, compare with the sublime feeling of having punitive legislation passed against you.
iPod, you've arrived. And New York State Senator Carl Kruger (D-Brooklyn) has crowned you, proposing $100 fines for anyone who tries to cross the street in New York City while listening to an iPod or using another electronic gadget. Yes, Blackberries and cell phones fall under the ban, but Kruger mentioned the iPod by name.
"This electronic gadgetry is reaching the point where it's becoming not only endemic but it's creating an atmosphere where we have a major public safety crisis at hand," said Kruger in a telephone interview with Reuters.
Kruger cites a case where a 23-year-old man was run down because he ignored warnings not to cross while listening to his iPod as evidence of "iPod Oblivion," an evil plaguing our streets.
Yeah. Um. Well. Here's the thing. The original Walkman came out almost 30 years ago. Those darn kids have been listening to those gizmos when they aren't supposed to the entire time. This isn't going away. This is almost impossible to effectively enforce, and it will have no effect other than to make the government some money.
And this law also reflects the danger we take for granted from cars. No matter how sensory deprived and foolish the strawman getting run down, there's still always a driver who doesn't brake in time on the other end of things. Crosswalks across busy streets are inherently dangerous. Let's not pretend it's the iPod.
Thanks, Jonathan!
Via MethodShop.
