I am a great fan of using the bus and my bike for transportation, and one of the (many) reasons I enjoy using these forms is that I get to interact and observe my fellow people. When I'm on my bike particularly, I really feel the sense of community from the other foot/pedal commuters. Since I'm not in my car very often, I've noticed how many people on the bus and on the sidewalks are plugged in. It seems that I may be the only person in the world without an IPod.

Now here's the thing; I love music, I really do. I've got a decent (although hardly impressive) cd collection, and I'm lucky enough to be able to listen to the radio at work. Some of my favourite programs are the ones that expose me to new Canadian music. But it strikes me that many people here in Canada are tuning the rest of the world out almost all the time.

I've heard that very often people want to have their IPod with them so that they don't have to converse with other bus riders or pedestrians. I've certainly been in situations where a fellow bus rider makes me feel uncomfortable either because of mental illness or addiction issues, but I've also struck up conversations with very interesting strangers. I will admit that I almost always travel with a book on the bus, which does provide me with an excuse to not engage, but I'm still aware and able to hear what's going on around me.

The thing that I can't understand is the need for a soundtrack delivered directly to your ears when walking or riding your bike. Aside from the safetly issues with regards to cyclists, part of what I love about my daily bike ride is listening to the city around me. And even if there isn't anything particularly interesting to listen to, my commute is the time of day when I get to focus completely on my own thoughts.

I have composed stories, songs, essays and letters while on my bike or taking a walk. I find it to be the most mentally stimulating thing that I can do. I have no distractions, and biking is almost second nature to me now, so my body knows how to make that machine go without any interference from my brain. I feel sorry for the people who drown out their own thoughts with a contstant musical background. I suppose some people may find the same mental stimulation from music that I get from my bike ride, but I suspect more often than not, people who are constantly plugged in are avoiding something. Avoiding conversation with other humans, avoiding the hum of the city, or avoiding spending time with their own thoughts.