[Trombone-l] Apple Responds

[dslide13@aol.com]

Not a very libertarian move on their part.  A comment on American 
society though.  We want our rights and control over our lives....but 
we want people to protect us from ourselves.  It seems to me that a 
warning label would be appropriate for the ignorant masses who wouldn't 
know that they're damaging their hearing.  But, I'm sure of one thing.  
Apple is not operating out of a sense of moral obligation.

The difference between this and the tobacco companies is that Apple's 
product is not inherently bad.  It's the consumer's usage habits that 
can make Apple's product bad.  But, I'm sure that some judge will find 
fault with Apple and then the warning labels will be added and iPod's 
will cost more to offset the expense of litigation.  ....and to the 
Republic for which it stands...one nation....indivisible...with liberty 
and justice for all.

David Gibson
trombonist/educator
www.jazzbone.org




-----Original Message-----
From: Bill Dinwiddie <billdin at comcast.net>
To: List Trombone <TROMBONE-L at server5.samford.edu>
Sent: Thu, 30 Mar 2006 09:04:52 -0600
Subject: [Trombone-l] Apple Responds

   Apple computer, apparently in response to some pending lawsuits, has 
issued
updated software for their Nano and video-capable models, which allows 
the
user to set a volume limit over which the unit will not play. Parents 
can
also make the change on their children's I-Pod and then lock it in with 
a
code. The Chicago Tribune article said that these devices can produce 
levels
of 115 dB, which can damage the hearing of a user exposed for more than 
28
seconds a day.

The article goes on to say that about 25 million Americans (about 10% 
of the
population) suffer from hearing loss that adversely affects their lives.

I am glad to see Apple making a response, even if it is somewhat 
limited.
Perhaps other manufacturers will imitate this action. Unfortunately, 
for
those of us with older models, the only protection is our own caution.

Bill Dinwiddie
billdin at comcast.net


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