Apple’s being sued because somebody, somewhere, might possibly suffer hearing loss after listening to their iPod. Of course, no one’s hearing has been injured yet, and you’d have to listen to the music at a painful level in order for that to happen, but as the attorney in the case says:

“He’s bought a product which is not safe to use as currently sold on the market,” Berman said. “He’s paying for a product that’s defective, and the law is pretty clear that if someone sold you a defective product they have a duty to repair it.”

Defective in what way? My iPod has a volume control. If it’s too loud, I can turn it down. If it’s too quiet, I can turn it up. Sure, I suppose if I don’t use my own good judgment, listening to my iPod at top volume for months on end could mess up my hearing. But that’s my fault, isn’t it?

If this lawsuit sees success, what other products that could potentially cause harm to others might be affected? Cars? Planes? Knives? Firearms?

Look, I don’t want to live in a childproof world. I have no problems exercising personal responsibility. In fact, I like it. The more responsibility I can take for myself, the less I have to worry about someone trying to be responsible for me. I believe it was the wise philosopher Uncle Ben who said (paraphrasing) “With great power comes great responsibility”. I like the statement “With great responsibility comes great freedom” instead. Lawyers… please let me be.