iStupidity

I like technology. I'm not at all a technophobe. However, I am usually what would be called a late adopter. I rarely see the need to go out and buy the latest, newest, hippest gadget right away and frankly, I have a pretty low opinion of those who do. I know this is already going to get me in trouble with potential readers. But, since this blog is pretty new, I probably won't have any readers to offend yet.

My problem with most people who have to get the newest thing right away is that I think they rarely do it for the technology. Unless you work for CNET or PCWorld or some other magazine or online service that reviews technology, you probably have no need to buy the newest gizmo when it comes out. Except, of course, for the real reason people buy these things: status.

When I read the local paper tonight there was a picture of an overweight, slovenly dressed woman sitting on a chair. The caption described her as a 24 year old college student who was already waiting in line to buy an iPhone, Apple's newest product designed to separate the middle class from their money. I have no right to judge this woman but I did. Her picture made me angry. Now, perhaps she comes from a wealthy family or has a great job but if I were a betting man, I'd say not. As a 24 year old college student, she likely has student loans and a job making $20,000 per year or less. I'm not being mean. It's just statistical probability. So given this likelihood, what business does this woman have buying a $500 phone? And how stupid are we in America that we're not only duped into buying $500 phones but also waiting in line for two days for the privilege?

Now, maybe this woman does come from money. I don't know. But I'm certain that she doesn't have some high powered job along with attending college. How do I know this? Because if she had such a job she probably wouldn't be able to miss work for two days to buy a phone. And I don't think she comes from money either. The reason is that rich people don't buy $500 phones. If you read the book "Rich Dad, Poor Dad" you realize that wealthy people tend to acquire assets. That's how they become wealthy. They don't waste their money on depreciating items and consumables. Except, of course, for celebrities and therein lies the problem.

Celebrities waste their money on all kinds of stuff. Or rather, it looks like they do. In reality corporations provide them with a lot of freebies because seeing Paris Hilton with an iPhone will dupe a lot of idiotic Americans into buying them. Invariably it is the middle class who buys into this crap. That's because they have just enough money to try to look like they have money. Status has become so important to a middle class that hates their existence and so desperately wants to associate themselves with the rich and famous. The fact is that some people are rich and some people aren't. If you're not, you don't need to act like you are because we all know the truth.

The iPhone looks like a cool device. Twenty years ago it was the kind of thing you saw in "futuristic" movies. To combine phone, music, and internet service into a beautiful, sleek touchpad device is really a wonder. Still, how many people need and will use those features consistently? Are you really going to watch a lot of movies on a 3 inch screen? Has everyone become so uncomfortable just being alone with their thoughts that we have to take some form of distraction along with us everywhere we go? I guess the answer is yes. Still, for that 24 year old college student, I think she just wants people to be impressed with her. How profoundly sad that she thinks a phone will accomplish that goal.