I read a blog post at The New York Times that discusses the iPod and the high crime rates; the “iCrime wave” as they call it. Many people are really tired about the i-prefix thing but we should all feel flattered that respectable bloggers speak in historical Apple jargon. Anyhow, let’s break the subject down and reflect for a few seconds.

So, crime is increasing. And not all crimes, but specifically theft of i-prefixed electronic devices. Walk around in the wrong place with those beautiful white headphones and your iPod is more likely than not to end up in another mans pocket. I’ve personally had my beloved iPod Mini taken from me and I know how devastating it can be. But that’s besides the point.

What is the point then? That the iPod is responsible for the increased crime rates? Let me rephrase that last question. Is the point that the iPod is responsible for people’s actions? Some people may see it that way. Those are the same people that believe Mercedes or Porsche cars are responsible for all the speeding accidents. That just doesn’t make enough sense for me to believe in it. Inanimate objects can’t be responsible for people’s actions. So who is?

Maybe it’s the companies faults. If Porsche never made cars that went faster than 80 mph, we wouldn’t have so many speeding accidents. If Apple didn’t make the iPod so popular, we wouldn’t have so many iCrimes. So it may seem on the surface but when we dig deeper, we find out that the keyword in those sentences aren’t Apple, Porsche, cars or iPods. They can’t hurt anyone. We can.

You and me, we, the people of this earth, are the only ones responsible for our actions. Sure, Apple’s clever marketing makes us want iPods and iPhones. Crime rates rise with the popularity. But if we, the people and the society as a whole, were properly educated, we would know that theft is destructive behavior that’s bad for us and everyone around us.

It’s clear that many people aren’t educated enough to understand that. Then, are these people responsible for the high crime rates? To a degree, yes, but we’re overlooking a key aspect of all this. Unfortunately, in todays society, individuals don’t shape themselves and their values. Society educates people, and that’s why this comment was so amazingly correct and to the point:

“I blame society.”
— Zino

There’s our answer, in the simplest terms possible. If the iPod was a human being, the thought of hurting anyone would never have crossed her mind. It is a gadget a peace and beauty, with the purpose of making life easier and more enjoyable for all of us. And the fact that it is just that, a gadget, is proof enough that it cannot be held responsible for the so called iCrime wave.