Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
skip to main |
skip to sidebar
abbreviated form of 'wassup' which derives from "What's up?" Used as a general greeting or a brief 'how are you' by people who are too hip for full sentences.
whoddat?
- stuart campbell
- Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- "Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind. " -Dr. Seuss
whatchu lookin' fo?
blogs
sites
- amoebacorp
- apple.com
- banksy
- bijou editorial
- brendan meadows photography
- bullfrog power
- douglas coupland
- drew lightfoot
- ffffound
- google maps
- joey lawrence photography
- john st.
- magic pony
- mark zibert dot com
- medium phobic
- mehoi.com
- obey
- pitchfork media
- raina + wilson photography
- volkswagen
- war child canada
stuff
6 comments:
I usually refrain from posting comments that might be construed as actually serious and that might lead to some sort of blogger/messageboard debate, so if that happens, I apologize.
You guys are so proud that
you bought Macs that it's ridiculous. It's as if you're patriotic towards Macintosh. And you hate on Microsoft like it's your sworn enemy. You guys are always posting these little things about how awesome Mac is and how crappy Microsoft is, you'd think that you owned the company or invented the computers. Do you guys even have stock in Apple?
I know it's just a joke, so don't take this too seriously, but come on guys. You're just consumers who happened to buy a particular brand of computer that you preferred. And I'm not trying to single anybody out (well, I guess I am, but still) because I've noticed that many owners of Apple products have the same tendency. What's the reason for this? Apple users build a personal identity around their computers. It's just a computer! Why not just be like normal people and build your identity around a football team or a frat or something?
Please don't take this comment as a statement about Apple or Microsoft in one way or another. I am not trying to re-open the Apple vs. Microsoft debate. I own a PC, but I also enjoy using Macs. All I use my computer for is writing essays and reading e-mails, so what do I care?
Ok, so sorry again about that rant, but this needed to be said.
Macintosh doesn't love you. But I do.
- Bernty
personally, when you are on a computer as much as i am and have used and experienced ridiculous problems on a PC that made the simple things i wanted to do a chore and made me want to hang myself because those things that were supposed to take 5 minutes are surrounded by all this unnecessary bullshit and numerous complications, has turned into a painful, emotional day of frustration, i really realize and appreciate the simplicity and effortlessness every day i touch your mac.
and mike does have stock in apple.
If you use computers for more than just checking your email, writing papers, and surfing the web then you'd understand that Macs just make more sense if you want to save time and be more successfully creative with videos, music, and photos. It all depends on the person and what your needs are and how open you are to new things that may break your system of habit. I was a PC user for the longest time until I realized that Macs can do the job just as well but better. And I too have stock in Apple. Many people tend to build their identity with what they like. As long as someone is passionate about something in their life, whether it be Football, Frats, Apple Computer, Rollerblading, Animals, Cooking, whatever...then that something creates what that person can identify with. So what if Mac user seem to be completely loyal to Apple and despise Microsoft, it's fun to have an opinion and stand up for what you believe in.
Oh no! I did it! I started a blog comment discussion! What have I done?!?
I knew this would happen. And look at me, ever the hypocrite, posting another comment. Well, at least it's on Stu's blog (and not YouTube, Be-mag, or the like) and we all know each other.
Like I said, I don't want to re-open the "Apple is better than Microsoft" (or vice versa) debate. I think we can all safely agree, when it comes to what kind of computer one owns and uses, it is a matter of personal preference. I mean, how ridiculous would it be if people started arguing whether Pepsi or Coke is the better soft drink? As far as I'm concerned (and please don't make me explain at-length why) it's a fruitless debate. For the time that I've spent (i.e. wasted) investigating the issue I can only safely conclude that Macs are better at some functions; PCs perform better at others. It is crucial to realise that most "evidence" arguing one side or the other is rarely impartial. When you are able to find an independent non-partisan look into the matter, it will support my conclusion, which I reiterate, that PCs perform better in some areas, and Macs perform better in others. I understand that the multimedia functions of a Mac, especially in Video, are generally superior to that of a PC. So, people who engage in a lot of video editing, especially those who do it professionally, will likely prefer a Mac. People who like to play a lot of World of Warcraft (i.e. nerds) will probably get a PC.
In addition to this, I would argue that differences in computers are merely relative. That is to say, the highest-end PC is superior to a low end Mac (and vice-versa). A current PC is superior than 5 year old Mac (and vice-versa). Also, one should realise (and this is really important) that all high-end computers far exceed any capacity that we could possibly need. For the sake of argument, let's say that a Macbook Pro is "better" (i.e. faster, more energy efficient) than a high end PC. That difference is negligible when one considers that both will sufficiently perform any common task that we need (and let's really think about the meaning of the word "need") to be performed. I can see how if (like Stu) the functionality of your computer is directly related to a financial endeavour then one might argue otherwise. I think such a situation boils down to preference. For example, a graphic designer, or video editor, or sound engineer (although our album was recorded and is being mixed and mastered on a PC! - A little shameless self-promotion) might prefer a Mac, whereas a computer programmer developing a new open source HTTP server would probably use a PC.
In any case, this is well beyond the point. Now, I understand that one's identity is just that, their identity, their individuality, and far be it from me to question what makes anybody, well, themselves. The point I was trying to make (and was clearly unsuccessful in doing so) is that when one blindly adheres to a group, it can be a very, very, dangerous thing. If you unthinkingly adhere to a political party's general platform, whether it be Republican, Democrat, (or for us Canucks) Liberal, or Conservative, you demonstrate a great deal of closemindedness. If you unquestionably assume that Macs are better than PCs, then you are bordering the same territory. Let's remember the whole relativity thing about computers. In 10 years from now PCs may far exceed Macs, who knows? Dell and IBM might not even be companies. There is a danger in saying absolutely that Macs are better than PCs (or vice-versa) just as there is a danger in absolutely saying that Democrats are better than Republicans, or Pepsi is absolutely better than Coke, or Dogs are better than Cats, etc. And there is an enormous danger in blindly identifying with a group. That is not to say that many Mac users or PC users don't have very good, well thought out reasons for using the computers they do. I am merely saying that there is a fine line between expressing your support for something and becoming fanatical over it, just as there is a fine line between being patriotic and being jingoistic.
The other point I wanted to emphasize, is that people should not identify too much with products. First and foremost, Macintosh, Dell, IBM, Compaq, Samsung, Toshiba, etc., are companies. And as such, the computers that they make are consumer products. Personally identifying with graphic design, or video editing, or multimedia presentations, or writing, or whatever, is one thing, and I would say a healthy thing. Identifying with the product you use to fulfill those passions can be unhealthy.
The last two points are the points I was really trying to stress. I did not intend to argue one way or another about the validity of using a Mac or PC.
And Steph, you're right, standing up for what you think, and sillily arguing about whether Macs or PCs are better, is fun. Cheering for your favourite team, or waving your country's flag can be fun too. But in doing so, as in everything, one shouldn't get too excessive.
Anyway, as usual, I'm only about 65% serious about what I've just said. I think it's cute that you guys like Apple so much...they have a neat logo.
I'm currently in the process of writing a paper about the dangers of the excess of nationalism. When I'm done I will post a condensed version on my blog, I think that will help clear up exactly where I'm coming from.
Finally, I'm sure this doesn't need clarification, but just in case, I was being really facetious about the football and frat thing. I generally think frats are really stupid and sad.
P.S. Sorry about the two deleted comments! At first I posted twice because I was impatient and didn't let the comment appear on your blog (or maybe it was my computer!!!) and then I read my comment and realised it was full of grammatical mistakes that made things really confusing.
P.P.S. Fat Robot Album # 1, "First World Problems", drops soon! Go to www.myspace.com/fatrobot to hear a demo, I think you'll like it, Stu. (And hopefully other people too!)
Post a Comment