Sidebar Sidebar
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.

Avoiding having an 'iPadditude'

S

samcraig

macrumors P6
Original poster
Jun 22, 2009
16,786
41,983
USA
So since the keynote there have been several threads and several opinions. Heated debates, speculations, condescension, generalizations, bashing and a phrase I *think* I might be coining - the iPadditude.

Whether you are buying one or not. Whether you think the iPad is magical or not. The thing people have in common here is this iPadditude that their opinion is all that matters and anyone that disagrees with them is an idiot, wrong, uninformed, is an Apple apologist, has drunken the Apple Kool-Aid, isn't thinking it through or my personal favorite - "doesn't get it".

I say this 'tude exists for both the excited ones who can't wait to own one and those that are either waiting or won't buy one.

And while I love a good debate - most of these threads and conversations in question are nothing but huffing and puffing and trying to either a) convince someone of something they'll never be convinced of or b) trying to show another person you're smarter than they are.

Who cares - and that stems from either insecurity or ego. If you see benefits of the iPad, GREAT! If you don't or not at present, GREAT!

You don't need to analogize, compare/contrast one device vs another. Again - who cares? Some people like physical keyboards and will like a netbook or laptop. Some people like the form factor and everything the iPad promises. No one is WRONG and no one is RIGHT. It's subjective to what that person's needs and preferences are.

I am not specifically laying blame - but at the core of many of these discussions are what the iPad can and can't do vs what other devices can and can't do. Again - at the end of the day - who cares? What matters is what device - whether it's a Kindle, Netbook, Laptop, Tablet computer or iPad - will work best for YOU. Not your neighbor - your friend - or anyone else.

And whatever that device you prefer now, or later is - you don't need to bash other devices to make your device better and/or make any justifications. We all have different needs, wants, usage.

ETA: I think if people remembered these things than a lot of conversations could avoid namecalling and/or frustrations by posters who are antagonizing/feeling antagonized by other opinions.

Anyway - my .02 for this rainy Wednesday morning.
 
iPadititude manifests itself primarily in these little technobubbles like MacRumors. Not very prevalent in the real world, which, of course, is the place where the iPad market resides. We've seen some of that in the iPad survey that was done, and the vocal uprising here on MR trying to discount that survey.

Real World vs. MacRumors. Classic.
 
I couldn't agree more with the OP. I've never had a problem with people who have a different view on the iPad than I have. But I confess to getting defensive, when people imply that I am stupid/drink the Apple Kool Aid, because I have a different view to them. Just because someone doesn't like the iPad doesn't meant that it will be a failure. Just because someone else loves it doesn't mean that it will be a success.
 
samcraig said:
So since the keynote there have been several threads and several opinions. Heated debates, speculations, condescension, generalizations, bashing and a phrase I *think* I might be coining - the iPadditude.

Whether you are buying one or not. Whether you think the iPad is magical or not. The thing people have in common here is this iPadditude that their opinion is all that matters and anyone that disagrees with them is an idiot, wrong, uninformed, is an Apple apologist, has drunken the Apple Kool-Aid, isn't thinking it through or my personal favorite - "doesn't get it".

I say this 'tude exists for both the excited ones who can't wait to own one and those that are either waiting or won't buy one.

And while I love a good debate - most of these threads and conversations in question are nothing but huffing and puffing and trying to either a) convince someone of something they'll never be convinced of or b) trying to show another person you're smarter than they are.

Who cares - and that stems from either insecurity or ego. If you see benefits of the iPad, GREAT! If you don't or not at present, GREAT!

You don't need to analogize, compare/contrast one device vs another. Again - who cares? Some people like physical keyboards and will like a netbook or laptop. Some people like the form factor and everything the iPad promises. No one is WRONG and no one is RIGHT. It's subjective to what that person's needs and preferences are.

I am not specifically laying blame - but at the core of many of these discussions are what the iPad can and can't do vs what other devices can and can't do. Again - at the end of the day - who cares? What matters is what device - whether it's a Kindle, Netbook, Laptop, Tablet computer or iPad - will work best for YOU. Not your neighbor - your friend - or anyone else.

And whatever that device you prefer now, or later is - you don't need to bash other devices to make your device better and/or make any justifications. We all have different needs, wants, usage.

ETA: I think if people remembered these things than a lot of conversations could avoid namecalling and/or frustrations by posters who are antagonizing/feeling antagonized by other opinions.

Anyway - my .02 for this rainy Wednesday morning.
Click to expand...

+1 VERY well said!
 
While I agree with the premise of this post, how do you feel about people fanning the flames by starting 20+ iPad threads since January? :rolleyes:
 
eawmp1 said:
While I agree with the premise of this post, how do you feel about people fanning the flames by starting 20+ iPad threads since January? :rolleyes:
Click to expand...

I'm not sure what you mean. But I'll (perhaps incorrectly) assume you mean those that keep posting new threads about the +'s or -'s of the iPad or whatever.

To that I said - if you don't want to click - don't. No one is forcing another person to read any posts here. And if you don't care for someone's opinion - ignore them electronically - or again - just choose not to read those threads/opinions.

I don't see the big deal about complaining about various threads. Now if someone were to spam the message board (and I think we all know the difference) than that's a different matter and is against the guidelines here.
 
We're just finding this out now?

This isn't a iPad thing, it's a being human thing. iPad is good, no it's bad. My team is better than yours, my country is the best, ect.

It's the human condition, not iPad related.
 
Racer - I agree it seems to be a human condition.

But sometimes we need to be reminded of even the most basic things so that we can have an "aha" moment or at least that moment of recognition of our own behavior for better or worse so we can pause and take it all into consideration when we're interacting with others.
 
People get attitudes because they are safely anonymous on a forum - internet courage, if you will. Do you think the posters with these belligerent or confrontational attitudes would do this if they were face to face with their target? Not likely.
 
samcraig said:
Racer - I agree it seems to be a human condition.

But sometimes we need to be reminded of even the most basic things so that we can have an "aha" moment or at least that moment of recognition of our own behavior for better or worse so we can pause and take it all into consideration when we're interacting with others.
Click to expand...

What I'm saying is that I don't understand why this is a problem? Competition and combat is needed to keep people uncomfortable. That creates better ideas and better solutions.

I like the arguments, so not really seeing it as a problem I guess.
 
richpjr said:
People get attitudes because they are safely anonymous on a forum - internet courage, if you will. Do you think the posters with these belligerent or confrontational attitudes would do this if they were face to face with their target? Not likely.
Click to expand...

Not sure if I buy that either. I'm much nicer on here because there are rules agreed to when I joined, mods watching it, ect.
 
racer1441 said:
Not sure if I buy that either. I'm much nicer on here because there are rules agreed to when I joined, mods watching it, ect.
Click to expand...

I have to side with richpjr on this: anonymity brings with it a certain level of bravado that's not manifested by the average person IRL.
 
racer1441 said:
What I'm saying is that I don't understand why this is a problem? Competition and combat is needed to keep people uncomfortable. That creates better ideas and better solutions.

I like the arguments, so not really seeing it as a problem I guess.
Click to expand...

I never said it was a problem per se. And debate, I think, is more interesting than arguments. Perhaps that's semantics. Point is - you can argue/debate by stating your opinion and understanding that THAT is exactly what it is without the need to insist that someone who doesn't agree with you is wrong, less entitled to their opinion or doesn't understand your opinion. And many times, on these threads - that's EXACTLY what is going on.

There are clearly differences in opinions. And to NOT have discussions or contrasting opinions would be boring. But that doesn't mean the message has to be wrapped up hyperbole or at the "expense" of someone else's mindset.

dave1812dave said:
I have to side with richpjr on this: anonymity brings with it a certain level of bravado that's not manifested by the average person IRL.
Click to expand...

Personally - I am the same online as I am in person. I would never do or say anything online that I wouldn't say or do face-to-face. I also would never say anything behind someone's back that I wouldn't say or didn't say to their face. But I'm probably in the minority
 
I enjoyed reading your post and agree with the opinions expressed there. What you see here frequently demonstrated is the fact that many people need to justify to themselves their opinions and actions, and they do it by ridiculing anyone who is of a differing opinion. There is no such thing as a perfect device (whether it be a laptop, e-book reader, etc.); there is however such a thing as a perfect device for you. But most of us don't seem to understand that. These arguments generally show how close-minded some of us are. But then again, this is nothing new. :)
 
samcraig said:
Point is - you can argue/debate by stating your opinion and understanding that THAT is exactly what it is without the need to insist that someone who doesn't agree with you is wrong, less entitled to their opinion or doesn't understand your opinion. And many times, on these threads - that's EXACTLY what is going on.
Click to expand...

That's a gray fallacy. Someone says white, the next person says black. Most people will assume that the truth is some variation of gray. That each opinion is partial right and partially wrong. It's lazy thinking. People are wrong, people are right. Things are black and white more often than not.
 
racer1441 said:
That's a gray fallacy. Someone says white, the next person says black. Most people will assume that the truth is some variation of gray. That each opinion is partial right and partially wrong. It's lazy thinking. People are wrong, people are right. Things are black and white more often than not.
Click to expand...

Personal preferences are not black and white except to that person. What's right for me may or may not be right for you.

Like Vanilla and Chocolate. I might think chocolate is the best flavor. You might think vanilla is. I could go on and on talking statistics on how many people prefer chocolate, how many more varieties of chocolate are, revenues from chocolate stores, etc. But I will never be able to say you're wrong or that I'm right when it comes to PREFERENCE.

And most of the conversations re: the iPad are exactly that - personal choices/preferences/etc that have no right or wrong.

This is my opinion. You might differ. Neither one of us is right, neither is wrong :)
 
samcraig said:
So since the keynote there have been several threads and several opinions. Heated debates, speculations, condescension, generalizations, bashing and a phrase I *think* I might be coining - the iPadditude.

Whether you are buying one or not. Whether you think the iPad is magical or not. The thing people have in common here is this iPadditude that their opinion is all that matters and anyone that disagrees with them is an idiot, wrong, uninformed, is an Apple apologist, has drunken the Apple Kool-Aid, isn't thinking it through or my personal favorite - "doesn't get it".

I say this 'tude exists for both the excited ones who can't wait to own one and those that are either waiting or won't buy one.

And while I love a good debate - most of these threads and conversations in question are nothing but huffing and puffing and trying to either a) convince someone of something they'll never be convinced of or b) trying to show another person you're smarter than they are.

Who cares - and that stems from either insecurity or ego. If you see benefits of the iPad, GREAT! If you don't or not at present, GREAT!

You don't need to analogize, compare/contrast one device vs another. Again - who cares? Some people like physical keyboards and will like a netbook or laptop. Some people like the form factor and everything the iPad promises. No one is WRONG and no one is RIGHT. It's subjective to what that person's needs and preferences are.

I am not specifically laying blame - but at the core of many of these discussions are what the iPad can and can't do vs what other devices can and can't do. Again - at the end of the day - who cares? What matters is what device - whether it's a Kindle, Netbook, Laptop, Tablet computer or iPad - will work best for YOU. Not your neighbor - your friend - or anyone else.

And whatever that device you prefer now, or later is - you don't need to bash other devices to make your device better and/or make any justifications. We all have different needs, wants, usage.

ETA: I think if people remembered these things than a lot of conversations could avoid namecalling and/or frustrations by posters who are antagonizing/feeling antagonized by other opinions.

Anyway - my .02 for this rainy Wednesday morning.
Click to expand...

booooooooo we're right and you're wrong go back to your netbook! ROFL. i'm jk. :D

The discussion is is indeed becoming a bit ridiculous. I think dave1812dave started all these! jk :D
 
samcraig said:
Personal preferences are not black and white except to that person. What's right for me may or may not be right for you.

Like Vanilla and Chocolate. I might think chocolate is the best flavor. You might think vanilla is. I could go on and on talking statistics on how many people prefer chocolate, how many more varieties of chocolate are, revenues from chocolate stores, etc. But I will never be able to say you're wrong or that I'm right when it comes to PREFERENCE.

And most of the conversations re: the iPad are exactly that - personal choices/preferences/etc that have no right or wrong.

This is my opinion. You might differ. Neither one of us is right, neither is wrong :)
Click to expand...


I'm right actually. People can have wrong opinions.
 
racer1441 said:
I'm right actually. People can have wrong opinions.
Click to expand...

About preferences? No. You're wrong.

Tell me that I'm wrong when I say I prefer to have french fries dipped in mustard. That to me, french fries with mustard are the best. I love french fries with mustard.

You can't. You can only tell me you find that disgusting. Or that Ketchup is a more popular condiment, etc. You can't tell me my preference is wrong. Because it's MY preference. I own it.
 
samcraig said:
About preferences? No. You're wrong.

Tell me that I'm wrong when I say I prefer to have french fries dipped in mustard. That to me, french fries with mustard are the best. I love french fries with mustard.

You can't. You can only tell me you find that disgusting. Or that Ketchup is a more popular condiment, etc. You can't tell me my preference is wrong. Because it's MY preference. I own it.
Click to expand...

no no no....french fries on mustard IS definitely WRONG :D

there are certain things, like french fries on mustard, that are definitely wrong anyway you look at it. it's like murder, racism or netbooks. they're just wrong. :D
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Register on MacRumors! This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.
Top Bottom
Back