Ode to Oblivion

Published October 30, 2007

By Peter Philip

College has left my identity inextricably tied to headphones. It has even become a name I respond to, which made me wonder about the power of the headphone. Surely, I am not the only one walking around campus, lost in whatever I’m listening to, but now that my headphones are broken (along with my iPod) I have a heightened awareness. This awareness not only enables me to see all the people avoiding reality with music, but more importantly how I had avoided the same thing when I had the comfort of ‘phones.

I’m sure you’ve noticed it too, crossing paths with a friend or a girl you want to have a reason to talk to as they pass unknowing. When your head is trapped in symphonic oblivion you can travel through campus, or life, on your own terms, and without distraction.

I feel this is especially significant because as college students we have very little alone time. Dorm life fosters crowded cubicles, while living off campus provides a haven for those feeling trapped by WDW. I was painfully aware of my craving for alone time while I stood, library headphones in hand, looking in vain for a computer to write this.

When we are constantly crowded by our piers and influenced by our teachers, we need that alone time in our head, even if it manifests itself in the most public of places. That is why I respect those of you who have the nerve to not acknowledge a friend en route. You have every right to be lost in your own world of guitar picking, flute tooting, rap slinging notes.

As I stressed in an earlier issue, music can be an outlet for people to heighten their awareness socially. However, in a social setting such as campus, one can also use this heightened awareness to cultivate a passive oblivion. This inward public identity is healthy, in my opinion. I know from personal experience that it helped me gather my thoughts before class, gave me a bounce in my step, and made me all around more enthusiastic about life.

Headphones also cultivate a relationship with music that you would otherwise not receive in a social setting. The compilation of sounds takes a clarity in headphones that isn’t possible with the interference of life’s noise. Although I haven’t experienced this as often as I would like to as of late, I still identify with the rebellious headphoner tuning out while they turn up the volume.

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