It turns out iPod users (in Britain at least) are more likely to be mugged than the population at large. Theives are IDing members of “The Pod” community by their distinctive headphones and targetting them due to the device’s (relatively) high value and users’ percieved affluence. Police have suggested that potential victims may want to swap their earbuds for some less recognzable headphones, but many users are unwilling to part with their little, white status symbols. Even an Apple spokesperson scoffs at the idea, saying some iPod-ers would “rather be robbed” than use less trendy headphones. The “coolness” issue was hashed out on MetaFilter recently. Predictably, the discussion soon turned into a pissing match about who had the most CDs/MP3s/etc. and why “compressed” audio formats were of insufficient quality for some dude’s vast collection of Dead bootlegs or whatever. Anyway, the moral of the story, I guess, is that Beamers get keyed more than Hyundais, mansions get robbed more often than studio apartments and the Gucci set are more likely to be pick-pocketed than folks wearing the latest from Martha Stewart. All things considered, it’s F-ing tough for rich people today! You know, maybe we should give them some kind of breaks on their taxes to make up for all their stuff that gets pilfered. Seriously!