It might be funny but it’s almost not funny either.
How many times have you started a conversation with someone new (or someone you don’t know very well) with something about their phone?
For example, I like my iPhone, a lot. It’s not the greatest device but it sure beats a BlackBerry (braces for comment-spam). So, our “relationship” begins with a discussion about how we’re “different” in our choice of device.
Interesting, right?
We do the same thing with Windows and Macs and many other things. I think as humans we like to compare and contrast ourselves, perhaps too much.
(Now that I come to think of it I need a dedicated writer to pick up BlackBerry and Android news…)
So what say you? That ever happen to you?
Tom says
It used to happen to me but now I kinda have the mindset that people use whatever tools works best for them. In this situation, what they choose to use has no impact on my satisfaction with anything.
It doesn’t bother me so much when people wanna give me a hard time for not using the same tools they do – seriously, it’s just geek trash talk – but it bothers me when others try to call me out on something and can provide no compelling reason as to why their technology is better.
brett barner says
As a Windows guy, I feel the glares of the fanboys. I try not to identify myself with my possessions, but I do enjoy some good old-fashion geek smack talk now and again. Nothing serious though.
Phone contract is up in March 1. Thinking of getting the Nexus One on Verizon (Whenever that happens). Don’t know if I should just hold out till June (iPhone refresh) though or not. If I make the switch I’m sure I’ll be going on and on about multi-tasking, openness, and processor speeds. You know, the stuff I say I don’t care about now. 🙂
Chris says
Haha.
peace | dewde
Jeremy says
the whole “mine is better than yours” talk drives me crazy most of the time. It’s like politics… there IS a middle ground… there ARE positives to the various options. The whole Mac v PC argument is the worst… I use both and like both for different reasons, but most of my PC only friends have never touched a mac and just cry about things that may have been true 10 years ago but refuse to acknowledge they have no clue what the mac experience is like.
Chris says
I don’t understand haters that never gave the other guy a chance. When I recommend a computer to family or friends… sometimes it is mac and sometimes pc. I try and fit the tool to the job.
peace | dewde
Jim Gray says
i confess…i have a BB…
on this particular post…can totally relate to so many that are anti-tech,social media,etc…but then one day they get on FB and get obsessed…
Chris says
True!
peace | dewde
JayCaruso says
I’m not a fanboi of any particular thing. Like Tom said, I use the tools that will work best. I like to try new things out. But sometimes people get absurd. For instance, I just became a Mac owner for the first time, but I used to have people telling me constantly that I “needed” to get one. “Why?” I’d ask. And to be honest, for the most part, I could not get a good answer aside from variations of “PC’s suck.”
The problem is, many people cannot say why they like a particular product. They just tell you why they don’t like whatever it is you’re using. That fits in also with what Tom said. It’s like that way with anything for me really. I don’t want to be told why I shouldn’t have what I do own. Tell me why I should get what you have.
I get asked why I don’t have an iPhone. Nothing to do with the device which I think is awesome. I just won’t subject myself to the torture of being on AT&T’s cruddy network.
Chris says
Im with you. I am not choosing BlackBerry over iPhone so much as I am choosing Verizon over AT&T.
peace | dewde
Jon Smith says
I agree with both you guys on choosing Verizon over AT&T versus the actual device. It’s all about practicality and the tools that work best.
And I’ve had two iPhones run out of battery juice in the middle of someone showing me how sweet an app is…
Nick Shoemaker says
Typically I am the one that people are coming to, asking what device or technology they would best be served by. This puts me in the unique position of offering alternatives when I’m asked about a particular.
The important thing I really strive to remember is to present facts first and opinions second, if at all. Every piece of technology has been designed with a specific user in mind.
Chris says
So true.
peace | dewde
mike brennan says
Thinking about starting my next conversation with how much i love my rotary phone & Commodore 64. Good times 🙂
Scott Magdalein says
I think it’s easier to start conversations regarding technology, especially when you see what kind of phone they pull out of their bag. If it’s an iPhone, it’s easy to strike up a conversation about their favorite app. If it’s a “dumb phone”, it’s easy to ask about how much they use SMS over making a phone call.
Technology, at least in America, is a highly standard common ground, which is the kind of stuff that seeds (or sparks) more meaningful relationships.
Plus, it’s fun!