“You ain’t goin’ nowhere”
Posted By Mike Orren in Square Pegs on November 7, 2007
I'm a big believer in the conspiracy theory of iPod synchronicity, or the concept that the "shuffle" is not truly random. Too many crazy coincidences in my experience, especially given a large library.
Case in point: I currently have > 8,000 songs on my iPod pulling from a universe of > 20,000 songs. 5 of those tracks are various versions of the Bob Dylan tune "You Ain't Going Nowhere." (Strangely, none of those are the Bob Dylan version.)
Today is Wednesday. So far, every day this week, one of those versions has come up on my way to work. Monday it was the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band. Yesterday it was Cracker with Adam Duritz. Today it was the Byrds. The version from the I'm Not There soundtrack and the Byrds studio version still have time to creep me out.
What is my iPod trying to tell me?
Feel free to share your iPod conspiracy theories in the comments.
Bonus vid:
kirk, says:
Where is your "Smart Shuffle" preference set? The newer versions of iTunes allow users to adjust the randomness of the shuffle. If it's set to "More Likely," you're supposed to get more songs by the same artist (maybe by the same composer?) in the rotation.
Anonymous
2 years, 1 month agoLink to this comment | Suggest removal
Mike Orren, says:
iPod doesn't have the same options that iTunes does. And I never notice the same serendipity when I listen via iTunes.
Staff
2 years, 1 month agoLink to this comment | Suggest removal
kirk, says:
What software do you use to manage the music on your iPod, if not iTunes?
Anonymous
2 years, 1 month agoLink to this comment | Suggest removal
Mike Orren, says:
I do use iTunes -- but the complex shuffle options don't effect the "Shuffle all songs" selection on the iPod (as opposed to choosing a playlist).
Staff
2 years, 1 month agoLink to this comment | Suggest removal
kirk, says:
Ah. Well, then it must be MAGIC!
Anonymous
2 years, 1 month agoLink to this comment | Suggest removal
FoodCzar, says:
My friend, Doctor Dylan is obviously speaking to you thru his music. He's writing you a three part prescription guaranteed to cure any blahs you may currently be entertaining:
1.Fix your mind on wintertime, 2.Strap yourself to a tree with roots, 3.Tomorrow's the day your bride's gonna come.
Obviously, the doctor has diagnosed you with early seasonal affective disorder. Please follow his prescription to the letter.
Anonymous
2 years, 1 month agoLink to this comment | Suggest removal
Mike Orren, says:
But my bride's been here since 1999!
Other notes taken under advisement.
Staff
2 years, 1 month agoLink to this comment | Suggest removal
Pavel Lishin, says:
1999 was a great year for the mail order industry.
Verified
2 years, 1 month agoLink to this comment | Suggest removal