RDF. Reality Distortion Field. A term of derision, humour or perplexity, depending on the attitude (and motives) of the onlooker.
RDF implies that there's a defined reality and Apple's marketing/philosophy-speak/mission statement somehow intrudes on this reality, often with an alternate, usually less significant and less representative reality (i.e., the distortion.) Whatever the case, it's one that is less characteristic of what's going on, yet invasive enough to call for use of terminology (usually pejorative) to describe it, categorize it and put it on a shelf for (gleeful) future use.
But what happens when reality is increasingly defined by Apple? When reality qua reality is generated by Apple or is otherwise defined by Apple's vision? The situation from June 2007 to the present has all the makings of a reality that is Apple-dominated - in ideas, products, or both. A reality in which Apple sets the agenda for the industry, and the the industry attempts to follow it with varying degrees of success.
There isn't much point in deriding Apple's own spin on a reality that they've already set for the industry and are actively defining product after product, service after service. RDF is thus an anachronism.
RDF no longer applies in today's tech environment, which is increasingly driven by the average consumer, who is increasingly served by Apple.
What we're seeing is a Reality Generation Field in Cupertino. In other words, it's just plain old reality now. So let's get our terminology straight and more reflective of current market realities.
Enjoy the RGF.
RDF implies that there's a defined reality and Apple's marketing/philosophy-speak/mission statement somehow intrudes on this reality, often with an alternate, usually less significant and less representative reality (i.e., the distortion.) Whatever the case, it's one that is less characteristic of what's going on, yet invasive enough to call for use of terminology (usually pejorative) to describe it, categorize it and put it on a shelf for (gleeful) future use.
But what happens when reality is increasingly defined by Apple? When reality qua reality is generated by Apple or is otherwise defined by Apple's vision? The situation from June 2007 to the present has all the makings of a reality that is Apple-dominated - in ideas, products, or both. A reality in which Apple sets the agenda for the industry, and the the industry attempts to follow it with varying degrees of success.
There isn't much point in deriding Apple's own spin on a reality that they've already set for the industry and are actively defining product after product, service after service. RDF is thus an anachronism.
RDF no longer applies in today's tech environment, which is increasingly driven by the average consumer, who is increasingly served by Apple.
What we're seeing is a Reality Generation Field in Cupertino. In other words, it's just plain old reality now. So let's get our terminology straight and more reflective of current market realities.
Enjoy the RGF.
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