With the avent of the portable media player, running to music has become popular as well as controversial. A search of the blogosphere reveals many opinions on running to music. Some people find it fun, exhilarating, and motivating. Others prefer listening to the natural sounds around them, entering a meditative state, or enjoying peace and quiet (in the appropriate settings). There are also two safety concerns. One is that music may mask other sounds that may signal danger to the runner. The other is that high volume music played through ear buds may cause inner ear injury.