Dr. Rhythm

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In the News
11.11.08

  Musical Health, earbuds kill...or maybe just perturb: A "study" presented to the American Medical Association by "top researchers" suggests that earbuds, or previously known as earphones, can slightly perturb and/or distrupt a pacemaker or defibrillator. The culprit is the magnets used in the speaker portion of the earbuds, not the earbuds themselves. The problem with both the "study" and the way the media has reported it is that they exclusively use the word "earbuds" and not neodymium magnets. Neodymium is a metal that is used in combination with iron and boron to create powerful magnets that are now often used in speakers/headphone/earphone technologies, computer hard drive motors, toys such as Magnetix and Magna Man, and some other hobby kits.
  They are one of the strongest magnets available to consumers and often cited as dangerous when handled inappropriately. The "study" was commissioned most likely, though there is little to no information about how the study was conducted as of yet, in response of the popularity of iPods and other music playback devices. However, the media and others picked up on the earbuds' association to iPods. So now there are numerous headlines such as, "iPod Earbuds Could Affect Pacemakers And Defibrillators" and not "Neodymium Magnets Could Affect Pacemakers And Defibrillators." Why? Well that is simple. No one knows what neodymium magnets are. But that is not an excuse. It is a well-known fact among scientists and medical doctors that magnetic fields can disrupt medical devices like pacemakers and defibrillators, as well as any other device that can receive magnetic fields. Credit cards and computer hard drives are also at risk, perhaps more so than any pacemaker.
  The "study" does not indicate how likely an occurrence earbud-to-chest contact is to people with pacemakers. Does this happen often? Do people with pacemakers actually use earbuds, if so what is the percentage? Nor does the "study" indicate whether it tested other equipment with neodymium magnets. People with pacemakers and defibrillators should also avoid hugging speakers, and computer hard drive motors too right? I do not question the danger of strong magnets, but the lack of information about the study, and the viral display of words like "iPod" in media headlines is simply irresponsible.
  DIY Music, do we see a trend coming? : The owners of the Beatles' music have just made a deal to create a Rock Band-esque video game of their music. -- Intel has just recently released Intel Studio an online community of indie music fans to listen to and rate unsigned bands, where the winner receives a record deal with promotion and concert tours. -- Microsoft and researchers at USC are creating software applications that can intelligently provide musical accompaniment for both professional and novice musicians to the point where style and harmony can be simulated to a high degree. -- Georgia Tech is develop a robot percussionist that can more intuitively interact with human musicians.
  Can I reiterate what I have been preaching for months? -- Interaction is key. Earth to the Music Industry..get on board. The video game industry is far more successful monetarily than the music industry could ever hope to be. With the Beatles' music arriving to the Guitar Hero phenomena what is next in the DIY music world? Should we stop with just rock instrument video game controllers? How about the Keytair Hero, or Sitar Hero? Perhaps Violin Virtuoso, or Cello Chanticler? OR What if we used this phenomena for learning? There is significant evidence that learning a musical instrument can improve the understanding of several subjects like math and science. Why not create a video game where people of all ages can learn the piano, guitar or to sing?
  As for the net-ether of rating unsigned bands. We have seen this before. Pre-internet society used "Star Search" which is now essentially "American Idol." The internet has several websites that give unsigned bands an opportunity to be heard such as unsigned.com, jamwave.com, and alternativeaddiction.com. The question is whether these types of internet venues are viable for the artists. Do they really work?
  The whole DIY at home music is getting more accessible to the novice. As Alice Cooper once said, "Everybody has a band these days, even my Uncle is in a band." It is true, lots of people play music, record music, write music, all which is made available for public consumption. Honestly, most of this music is not very good. BUT this does not mean I discourage it from existing. Music is music, it has a right to exist. Software is being developed to help the untrained musician by providing tools that can guide the novice through more difficult musical decisions. These include how to harmonize, shape a melody or provide various stylistically influenced accompaniments. A nice tool for beginners or novice musicians not trained in these areas, but most likely will not create brilliant musicians by the millions in the future. However, I still encourage everyone to engage in music making activities, just do not expect to become the next Radiohead. It may happen, but it is not likely. I do not expect to win a Pulitzer just because I publish through this site. It could happen, but not likely, yet I still do it. And we are all better off for it.

In good musical health,
Dr. Rhythm