Sin Tracker: the evil iPod

Monitoring the alleged sins of modern life

The naïve might assume that MP3 players, including iPods, would be welcomed by environmentalists. Virtual music does not involve manufacturing CDs or shipping them all over the world. But it should be clear by now that environmentalists are never satisfied. For example, an article by Leo Hickman, the chief ethical guru of the Guardian, points out that online music can be “burned” onto CDs at home. In addition, MP3 players are frequently replaced so that uses unnecessary resources. And of course such devices include toxic substances such as cadmium, beryllium and lead. If only the miserabalists would start playing a different tune.