With all due respect, the discussion has been done to death, (in multiple threads on AFF).
Its quite simple, if mobile phones were a danger to planes (or any other device), they would be prohibited from being in carry on or even in check in luggage. Or something like faraday bags would be used for storage during the flight, similar to Duty free liquids.
I think it is a stretch to say that listening to an iPod is dangerous. It is a risk (lack of attention), but i'd rather have someone listening to an iPod with headphones, than have someone sleeping in the seat. Even if you could wake them up, they'd be pretty groggy, in comparison to someone taking their headphones off and being able to assist.
I agree, my opinion is irrelevant,
But I think its comparable to speed limits. Having a speed limit at 50km/hr on a freeway, just so that someone doesn't crash is similar to having a device placed in flight mode and switched off (safest option).
You will always get people who will go 10km/hr over the limit, but it is very different to going 50 km/hr over the limit, (for example using an array of CB Radios in your seat)