Steve Jobs
First read Generation M Manifesto , a beautifully written open letter to the "Old People Who Run the World" including such gems as "You turned politics into a dirty word. We want authentic, deep democracy - everywhere," You wanted exurbs, sprawl, and gated anti-communities. We want a society built on authentic community," and You wanted growth - faster. We want to slow down - so we can become better." But then it goes on to eleborate on who is Generation M. "Obama, kind of." Wrong, he is our saving grace in a political foray so stupid and ineffective, that even a fillubusting Democratic majority can't pass the public option. "Steve Jobs." Wrong. And here is where I really draw the line.
Apple, with their ridiculous markup on computer products and accessories ($46 for a wired Apple keyboard vs $10 for a PC one, really Apple? Really??) without increasing function and limited customization (my friends and I built our PCs), is obviously not my cup of tea. But, hey if you want to spend more for the same (or worse), then no problem. That is your choice. But you cannot tell me that a man who has a mere knack of convincing misled American consumers that they need to once again, mindlessly consume, is a hero by any means.
Apple does not rank well on Newsweek's 2009 green index. It comes in at #133, behind HP and Dell (#1 and #2, respectively), Microsoft (#31) and even Walmart (#59). Apple consistently is out-performed by competitors, even in the areas its "I'm a Mac" series touts (from a Macworld article: "Apple has a poor history here, often failing to provide OS X security fixes for flaws fixed on other platforms days, weeks, or even months earlier." Steve Jobs, despite being a multi-billionaire, has no records of comparable charity ("Giving USA Foundation, a philanthropy research group which publishes an annual charity survey, said Jobs does not appear on lists of gifts of $5 million or more over the last four years. Nor is his name on a list of gifts of $1 million or more compiled by Indiana University's Center on Philanthropy.") According to the same WIRED article, Steve Jobs has barely mustered an opinion on social and political issues. Well, unless you count hinting at to downright lying about the PC's shortcomings as a social issue. Hint, it's not.
So, Stevie, in your black, black turtle neck. I'm glad you made a full recovery, but please, let's cut the bull crap. You and your company, with unfettered greed, inattention to pressing issues, and unrepetant triumph of shallow over substantive, are decidedly not Generation M. For the love of God people, stop the madness and let him earn that saintly status.
Apple, with their ridiculous markup on computer products and accessories ($46 for a wired Apple keyboard vs $10 for a PC one, really Apple? Really??) without increasing function and limited customization (my friends and I built our PCs), is obviously not my cup of tea. But, hey if you want to spend more for the same (or worse), then no problem. That is your choice. But you cannot tell me that a man who has a mere knack of convincing misled American consumers that they need to once again, mindlessly consume, is a hero by any means.
Apple does not rank well on Newsweek's 2009 green index. It comes in at #133, behind HP and Dell (#1 and #2, respectively), Microsoft (#31) and even Walmart (#59). Apple consistently is out-performed by competitors, even in the areas its "I'm a Mac" series touts (from a Macworld article: "Apple has a poor history here, often failing to provide OS X security fixes for flaws fixed on other platforms days, weeks, or even months earlier." Steve Jobs, despite being a multi-billionaire, has no records of comparable charity ("Giving USA Foundation, a philanthropy research group which publishes an annual charity survey, said Jobs does not appear on lists of gifts of $5 million or more over the last four years. Nor is his name on a list of gifts of $1 million or more compiled by Indiana University's Center on Philanthropy.") According to the same WIRED article, Steve Jobs has barely mustered an opinion on social and political issues. Well, unless you count hinting at to downright lying about the PC's shortcomings as a social issue. Hint, it's not.
So, Stevie, in your black, black turtle neck. I'm glad you made a full recovery, but please, let's cut the bull crap. You and your company, with unfettered greed, inattention to pressing issues, and unrepetant triumph of shallow over substantive, are decidedly not Generation M. For the love of God people, stop the madness and let him earn that saintly status.