Why an Ipod?

I can only imagine what an incredible shopping challenge it must be to provide an appropriate gift to the Queen of England. After all, she is the richest woman in the world, and probably doesn’t have to pay for didley squat, anyway. I find it hard to believe that there is anything that she would want or need that she could not have delivered on a hand-embroidered purple velvet pillow upon command. 

 

Clearly, any gift of state presented to the Queen must be more of a symbol than something practical or personal. After all, by the very nature of her royal station, she can afford anything but to be personal. She is, by acceptance of the burden of the Crown, less Elizabeth Windsor and more Her Royal Majesty, Elizabeth II, Queen of Britain – a living symbol and figure of all of Britain.

 

As a symbol, an ipod is pretty cool. It represents, in its own way, being on the cutting edge of technology. It represents a departure from stacks of records, or tapes, or cd’s in favor of electronic storage. It represents a carefree generation of fast-thinkers and instant gratification. And, of course, it represents American technology and ingenuity. But… does this symbol work? The Queen, a living icon herself, does not represent progress or modernization. If anything, she represents stability, dignity, and tradition. Is this symbol of progress appropriate? What is the meaning behind such a gift?

 

Does it imply that Britain needs to change its ways, do away with antiquated practices and modernize?

 

Does it smack down British design and development by implying that American dreams and ideas are the way of the future?

 

Surely, this interesting gift will puzzle political analysts far into the future. But for today, we can all sit back, relax, and enjoy images of a white-haired granny jamming down to who-knows-what when she is alone, and nobody is looking.