iPhone 4 Explodes Midflight on Australian Airline

[ScalyFreak]

Originally Posted by afa

You assume that your reasons for buying Product X are somehow 'better' than others' for buying Apple Product X. That is, to be frank, ridiculous. Everyone has their own reasons for purchasing whatever they want to purchase. More importantly -- and this is the real issue here -- they don't owe you a damned thing. It's perplexing to me why you feel that you are somehow entitled to an explanation or justification for someone else's purchasing decisions.

Is this simply a product of environment? Do you live in a town/society/family where people are constantly questioning your choices? Why did you buy that particular dress, and not the one next to it? Black shoes? Why not really, really, really dark brown? Why those glasses? Why do you walk that way, and not different?

You're acting as if your approach of demanding justifications from others is somehow the logical and natural thing to do. You're wrong. It's not. The world would be a terribly annoying place to live if everyone did that, don't you think?

No one owes me a thing, explanations or otherwise. You're reading too much into this, as are everyone else who misunderstood my post. (My fault, admittedly. I don't take forum posts seriously and tend to forget that sometimes others do.) What I meant was that when someone is asked a question, for whatever reason, I usually expect them to be able to answer. When they can't, I'm surprised, and I then draw my own and often unflattering conclusions about the lack of an intelligent reply.

For a good parallell, think of how atheists view people with a deep religious faith. No matter how justified that faith is, nothing they say, no matter how they phrase it, can convince a devoted atheist that someone who has a deep faith in a deity is not delusional and unintelligent. And no matter how either side pushes, they both think the other is wrong, and that they have a right to try and convince them.

Given the way Apple market their products, the whole religion parable actually seems fitting. And yes, that was a joke. Back off with those blowtorches!

[ScalyFreak]

Originally Posted by Sil_liS

Isn't it usually the case that someone is saying "product X is better than all the others", and when asked about what makes it better they give replies of "it's best for me"?

Why?

If a person can't answer that, that's when I go all "elitist" on them. Whenever I ask why they bought A instead of B, it's out of genuine curiosity. I do want to know, and it's an easy way to make conversation, particularly since I'm a geek in every way and love talking about computers and gadgets. You tell me why you like your toy, I'll tell you why I like mine, and then we compare notes and now we have something to talk about for hours.

Most of my "how can you not have thought about that at all?"-condescension comes from disappointment at being robbed of an interesting conversation.

[afa]

Originally Posted by Sil_liS

Isn't it usually the case that someone is saying "product X is better than all the others", and when asked about what makes it better they give replies of "it's best for me"?

Frankly, I don't know. Because I don't bother asking people why they bought what they bought. At the most, I'll ask how they're liking it and if they're happy with their decision, and even then only if it is a product that is on my radar for potential future purchase. Other than that, I really don't care why.

But even if you're right, and that is the scenario... so what? Plenty of people indulge in hyperbole when exalting the virtues of their purchases. So and so book is 'amazing'. This was 'awesome'. That movie was 'brilliant'. Rarely do any of those adjectives genuinely apply to the scenario (unless the book really has 'amazed' you and left you in actual awe, which I find unlikely) but people use them all the time.

[5thWiggle]

Originally Posted by ScalyFreak

Back off with those blowtorches!

Blow torches and flamethowers are bad for the enviroment. Increase the atmospheric carbon. Got you in my sights with my VBL (Vorpal Bunny Launcher).

[5thWiggle]

Originally Posted by afa

Frankly, I don't know. Because I don't bother asking people why they bought what they bought. At the most, I'll ask how they're liking it and if they're happy with their decision, and even then only if it is a product that is on my radar for potential future purchase. Other than that, I really don't care why.

But even if you're right, and that is the scenario... so what? Plenty of people indulge in hyperbole when exalting the virtues of their purchases. So and so book is 'amazing'. This was 'awesome'. That movie was 'brilliant'. Rarely do any of those adjectives genuinely apply to the scenario (unless the book really has 'amazed' you and left you in actual awe, which I find unlikely) but people use them all the time.

+1 Probably the sanest opinion I see in the whole [whatever floats your boat] vs. [whatever floats my boat]

[Sil_liS]

Originally Posted by Andrew H.

Why do you assume that some people *don't* shy away?

Because there are here, calling other people Apple-haters.

Originally Posted by Andrew H.

The linked quote was a description of how Pres. said he had been characterized, but I didn't see that anyone actually called him that.

I think that he was referring to a different thread.

Originally Posted by Andrew H.

While "Apple-hater" is not ideal, either, I don't think it's quite as insulting as iSheep. Or "Apple Fanboy" or "iFanatic" or any of the other ways of expressing that people who buy Apple products are zombies with no minds of their own.

That would depend on which side of the insult you stand.

[ScalyFreak]

Originally Posted by 5thWiggle

Blow torches and flamethowers are bad for the enviroment. Increase the atmospheric carbon. Got you in my sights with my VBL (Vorpal Bunny Launcher).

Let me guess. That is not an ordinary rabbit?

[5thWiggle]

Originally Posted by ScalyFreak

Let me guess. That is not an ordinary rabbit?

'Tis Killer Rabbit of Caerbannog!

Follow! But! follow only if ye be men of valor, for the entrance
to this cave is guarded by a creature so foul, so cruel that no man
yet has fought with it and lived! Bones of four fifty men lie strewn
about its lair. So, brave knights, if you do doubt your courage or
your strength, come no further, for death awaits you all with nasty
big pointy teeth.

Tim the Enchanter, Monty Python and the Holy Grail

[Sil_liS]

Originally Posted by ScalyFreak

Why?

If a person can't answer that, that's when I go all "elitist" on them. Whenever I ask why they bought A instead of B, it's out of genuine curiosity. I do want to know, and it's an easy way to make conversation, particularly since I'm a geek in every way and love talking about computers and gadgets. You tell me why you like your toy, I'll tell you why I like mine, and then we compare notes and now we have something to talk about for hours.

Most of my "how can you not have thought about that at all?"-condescension comes from disappointment at being robbed of an interesting conversation.

My point was that the request for an explanation doesn't come out of nowhere, but from the unsatisfying reply that is given. And much like most posts when I asked for clarifications on a statement, the person feels harassed.

Originally Posted by afa

Frankly, I don't know. Because I don't bother asking people why they bought what they bought. At the most, I'll ask how they're liking it and if they're happy with their decision, and even then only if it is a product that is on my radar for potential future purchase. Other than that, I really don't care why.

But even if you're right, and that is the scenario... so what? Plenty of people indulge in hyperbole when exalting the virtues of their purchases. So and so book is 'amazing'. This was 'awesome'. That movie was 'brilliant'. Rarely do any of those adjectives genuinely apply to the scenario (unless the book really has 'amazed' you and left you in actual awe, which I find unlikely) but people use them all the time.

Much as people feel harassed by my questions, I feel harassed by their vague answers. Especially when they keep repeating the same vague answer again and again.

[ScalyFreak]

Originally Posted by Sil_liS

Much as people feel harassed by my questions, I feel harassed by their vague answers. Especially when they keep repeating the same vague answer again and again.

Exactly! And I am sure that the person giving me that vague answer feels even more harassed when I ask them to explain why their answers are so vague.

And you should have thrown a hand grenade at that rabbit. Be sure to count only to three. Not to two or four, and five is definitely out. (too lazy to google for the actual dialogue.)

[MrsJoseph]

This is what gets me: You guys are asking what 5-6 people things like "Why would you spend X amount of money on this product when you can get Y for $$"

That starts the conversation off for some people in a defensive position.

The other thing is that you take the information (or lack) from that handful of people and then assume that EVERYONE must be that way because of those people.

Now you come to a public forum and make vast & sweeping statements such as "people who buy iProducts are stupid & uninformed consumers."

So yes. I've gotten tired of it. I've never attacked or name called anyone who owns numerous products I think are silly. I have never seen the value in lots of products being touted here.

I don't care when someone insults or rages against a product or a company...but keep the name calling to yourself. Thats the annoying part.

[afa]

Originally Posted by Sil_liS

My point was that the request for an explanation doesn't come out of nowhere, but from the unsatisfying reply that is given. And much like most posts when I asked for clarifications on a statement, the person feels harassed.

I would suggest one of two possibilities that come to my mind (there might be others, of course):

a) The people you are asking for clarifications from don't really have a solid reason, and so they are being vague as a defense mechanism. In this case, I suggest you don't bother.

b) If such events happen to you regularly, it is possible that there is something wrong with the questions you are asking. Perhaps the phrasing, perhaps the 'tone' of the post, perhaps even the relevance. In this case, I suggest you reconsider your questions.

Much as people feel harassed by my questions, I feel harassed by their vague answers. Especially when they keep repeating the same vague answer again and again.

I must say, that is a strange reaction. Feeling frustrated by vague answers, maybe, but harassed? Do these people, perhaps, chase you around MobileRead across various threads and repeatedly bombard you with the same vague answers? Maybe you're the victim of some elaborate prank?

[ScalyFreak]

Originally Posted by MrsJoseph

Now you come to a public forum and make vast & sweeping statements such as "people who buy iProducts are stupid & uninformed consumers."

So yes. I've gotten tired of it. I've never attacked or name called anyone who owns numerous products I think are silly. I have never seen the value in lots of products being touted here.

I don't care when someone insults or rages against a product or a company...but keep the name calling to yourself. Thats the annoying part.

No, I'm not. I'm saying "people who buy iProducts and who can't explain why they did seem stupid to me". Big difference. I am well aware that there are lots of intelligent and informed Apple owners who bought their products for very good reasons, and I'm not talking about them. I'm talking about the idiots, and believe me, I treat blind loyalty to any brand the same way.

And to paraphrase your post from earlier... if you think what's happening in this thread is name calling, then you must be very sheltered.

[MrsJoseph]

Originally Posted by ScalyFreak

And to paraphrase your post from earlier... if you think what's happening in this thread is name calling, then you must be very sheltered.

I was referring to a different thread in which we have discussed this previously. I'm not really the type to go looking for the thread/post you made (so I won't) - but "stupid and uninformed" was the gist of your statement at that time.



All I'm saying is that disliking Apple is fine. Shit, I dislike Apple half the time...but the "stupid" and "uninformed" comments are getting to be grating. Dislike the company/product not the buyer. There is no point to it and takes what could be a good conversation and makes it descend to a lot of emo name calling.

And when all else fails, try biting your "tongue." There are lots of times when I edit myself because I could or planned to make an inflammatory statement that did not add any value to a discussion.

[Andrew H.]

Originally Posted by ScalyFreak

Do you seriously not realize that this is button-pushing for the fun of button-pushing? That you're being hassled precisely because you fly off the handle and this is nothing but cheap and easy entertainment for the ones doing it? Apple users are so much easier to rile than non-Apple users, which makes them convenient troll-targets. Welcome to the internet.

But that's specifically prohibited by the MR terms of use. Welcome to MR!

On a more serious note, of course someone can look at a product, decide they like it enough to spend an extra $1,000 for hardware not worth it, and have a right not to be laughed at. But you're a lot more likely to be left alone if you can show that some thinking went into the decision, and not just feelings and habits. That's life, and that's not something that is about to change anytime soon.

To some extent I don't disagree with this. However, it's also possible that what appealed to them about their computer was something that they weren't sure how to describe - the build quality, or the quality of the screen, trackpad, or keyboard.

I don't use a mac, so I can't answer their question for you, though...aside to point out that you can't buy a PC ultrabook equivalent to a Macbook Air for even the same price as the MBA. Although you can, of course, buy a 6 lb laptop with similar processor and ram for less.

But on MR, I don't really see a lot of discussion about macs and PCs, since they tend not to be used to read books as much as tablets or phones.