Sunday, January 14, 2007
I-What
I am listening to a radio news story about MacWorld Expo this past week. Apparently it tried to bill itself as some kind of techie-spiritual experience; and people bought it. The commentator described how the theme from Space Odyssey (and other inspiring songs) accompanied the presentation of three 'revolutionary' products, and how no one laughed. The convention collectively played along with Steve Jobs schtick: widescreen IPOD/IPOD phone will change the world. The commentator attributed the credulity and lack of cynicism displayed by Macfriends, paying customers and jounalists to apology for their dismissal of the Ipod in 2001. he also mentioned how the recent allegations of stock back-dating against Jobs have been swept under the table.
Not really sure what to do with this; especially coming from the journalists. It is their job to be skeptical; to make sure that we see the whole picture (not just how cool the new toys will be). Not really sure how I feel about how easily a convention full of adults can be sucked in with the promise of a couple of cool new toys; or how Apple can bill said cool toys as 'revolutionary' or inspiring. Can music, lights and a pretty speech really convince people that a phone/tv will change the world? How gullible are we? What human trait makes us such easy targets for someone promising that they can change the world? That promise (combined with an appropriately psuedo-spiritual marketing schtick) has been used by everyone from political leaders, to economists to hollywood. Can't we find inspiration in something that is worth being inspired by? Not to be dramatic, but the whole thing just smacks of being an example of a type spiritual bankruptcy that irks me.
I guess I just really wish that there had been a little undercurrent of sarcasm or irony to the presentation; or to the collective interpretation of it. Eventually, it is likely that I will buy at least one of the above-mentioned products. It's just that I wish that they were billed as what they are (toys) and not under the guise of a religious experience.
Not really sure what to do with this; especially coming from the journalists. It is their job to be skeptical; to make sure that we see the whole picture (not just how cool the new toys will be). Not really sure how I feel about how easily a convention full of adults can be sucked in with the promise of a couple of cool new toys; or how Apple can bill said cool toys as 'revolutionary' or inspiring. Can music, lights and a pretty speech really convince people that a phone/tv will change the world? How gullible are we? What human trait makes us such easy targets for someone promising that they can change the world? That promise (combined with an appropriately psuedo-spiritual marketing schtick) has been used by everyone from political leaders, to economists to hollywood. Can't we find inspiration in something that is worth being inspired by? Not to be dramatic, but the whole thing just smacks of being an example of a type spiritual bankruptcy that irks me.
I guess I just really wish that there had been a little undercurrent of sarcasm or irony to the presentation; or to the collective interpretation of it. Eventually, it is likely that I will buy at least one of the above-mentioned products. It's just that I wish that they were billed as what they are (toys) and not under the guise of a religious experience.
E 11:35 AM