Andrew Sullivan Society Is Dead We Have Retreated Into The Itold

The article “Society is dead, we have retreated into the iWorld” by Andrew Sullivan is a persuasive and explanatory piece in which he expresses his observations and concerns about the use of technology, especially iPods, as a mechanism of isolation from the rest of the world. Sullivan argues that people are constantly allowing their lives to become narrowed by the excessive use of their iPods while shutting out everyone and everything else. He uses evidence and several examples, including ones from his personal experience, in an attempt to support his claims. Sullivan is quite clever in his organization of the piece, and his style impressively encompasses descriptive language, figurative language and strong diction, but he still makes a few

flawed statements.
Sullivan deftly begins his article with a few statements about his experience and thoughts while visiting New York City. He uses these as a way to successfully capture the attention of his readers, instead, of instantly stating his views on technology and iPods. Perhaps, if he had opened the article by directly addressing his issue with iPods, it may have made some readers hesitant about reading the entire article because they enjoy the daily use of their iPods. Pertaining to the changed atmosphere in New York, he states, “that insane mishmash of yells, chatter, clatter, hustle and chutzpah that makes New York the urban equivalent of methamphetamine” (1) is quieter. This eerie silence in New York was unfamiliar to him, and he attributes it to “little white wires hanging down” from the ears of individuals around him “or tucked into [their] pockets, purses or jackets” (1).
Sullivan attempts to prove his point by admitting that he is also guilty of isolating himself from society by the constant overuse of his iPod. He then goes as far as referring to individuals possessing and using an iPod as being a part of a cult when he states, “I joined the cult a few years ago: the sect of little white box worshippers” (1). Although this is an opinionated piece, Sullivan should have been more careful in his diction. It is possible for his readers to be highly offended by his reference to them belonging to a cult, thus leaving them too indignant to want to continue reading the rest of his piece. Perhaps, he could’ve chosen a more suitable word than cult such as “group” or “organization,” and his point would be conveyed nonetheless.
Sullivan strategically structures his piece with a mixture of short paragraphs and short sentences. There is no paragraph composed of more than six lines and there are even sentences which stand alone. This organizational technique mimics the individuals of society who walk around in their own little bubble in isolation from the rest of the world. The sentences that stand-alone serve to depict an individual strolling around with their headphones on or earbuds in to block out everything else.
Sullivan uses figurative language such as an analogy and a simile. He uses an analogy to demonstrate his point of the prevalence of apple products, even at ministerial establishments such as churches, to his audience. He figuratively analogizes the churches to an Apple store by stating that he attends church every now and then and describes the churches as huge luminous Apple stores containing pews in the back. Also, he compares the priests who listen to confessions and offer support, to clerics in their monostatic uniforms all bustling around or sitting behind the “Genius bars”. Additionally, he uses a simile to describe the pace at which human beings stroll around in the world “like hermit crabs with our isolation surgically attached” (2).
Sullivan writes the first five paragraphs of the piece in narrative form and recounts his personal experience on a trip to New York as he comments on the behavior of people that were around him.

From paragraphs six to ten, he switches from talking about others and comments on his own behavior and how he himself became obsessed with his iPod as he begins by saying, “Yes, I might as well own up. I’m one of them” (1). Next, in paragraphs eleven to thirteen, he provides a general and brief comment about the prevalence of apple products throughout America and how the use of these products is causing Americans to narrow their lives. He proceeds by switching to a more personal approach by occasionally using the words “you” and “your” to directly refer to the iPod users from paragraphs fourteen to twenty-one. Following this direct approach, Sullivan moves to an all-inclusive approach which includes himself and the individuals around him as he comments on their reason for isolating themselves through the use of their iPod. And finally, in the last two lines he goes back to the narrative form where he recounts the one time he forgot his iPod and had no other choice but to regain consciousness and begin to recognize and become a part of the real world again. That one mis happening caused him to pop his isolation bubble and pay attention to various activities and sounds around him. He ends by urging others to leave their iPod behind and to “try it” as the world has its own “soundtrack”. This approach used by Sullivan was effective as it included everyone. He didn’t just criticize others around him but was honest enough to admit his own faults and guilt. It shows his audience that his purpose is not to provide a biased criticism of their actions, instead, he is trying to reason with

them.
Sullivan carefully constructs his explanatory and persuasive piece ensuring that he vividly conveys each of his points. He manipulates syntax for a stylistic effect to create cohesion throughout the piece. In addition, he successfully drives home the realization/ new understanding of the effects of iPod in the daily activities of individuals. Also, in his closing he brings closure to his piece by blending modes of writing to affect his audience and successfully accomplish his purpose.