I meant that "My skin is too dark for people of Asian or Caucasian descent to acknowledge my existence" as something that is the case walking the streets of New York City.
In other areas, I know that not to be the case. It's hard for me to constantly look to that fact for comfort because my situation does not allow me to go elsewhere at this time.
I do plan to visit and try living in other places for a while to sample different environments. I have friends of different racial and cultural backgrounds and the effort needed to step outside of my comfort levels is and will be great. I do welcome the challenge.
I am of extremely mixed descent. I have fairly dark skin but do not identify with any racial denomination.
Being that I am 28 years old living in NYC - not someone who lives outside the city and knows a few people that live here, I can only communicate to you what has been communicated to me through words and actions.
You see them as offensive? How do you think I feel being someone who is either invisible or scoffed at by random people when I am just trying to get from Point A to Point B?
You mention "Hipsters". Do you know what a hipster really is? Someone who just follows hip trends. No mind or opinion of their own. They see and copy. I am not built that way. I think for myself and rarely identify with any group anywhere.
When I say "black enough", I am not referring to my interpretation of the treatment I receive. I am referring to what "Black" people have told me as to why I am not welcomed around them. There is some weird inferiority complex where "Black" people get defensive whenever someone chooses to behave in a way they feel is different than what other dark-skinned should be behaving.
For instance, I was called "Corny White Boy" in High School because I didn't use slang and got high scores on exams.
These are things you have not been exposed to so I don't expect you to know. For that reason, I kindly request that you refrain from passing judgement on subjects where you know your knowledge is limited.
My skin is too dark for people of Asian or Caucasian descent to acknowledge my existence but I don't act "black" enough for the other racial denomination.
It's easy to lose sight of those facts when marketing plays such a vital role in the bottom line.
I have never had an iPhone nor will I ever but I am sure it's a good product. Many of the problems Android has are made possible by all of the variables associated with it. In Apple's case, they develop one hardware and one software. I think that allows developers the opportunity to focus content instead of compatibility.
All that's fine but I just can't buy the notion that people would fore-go the opportunity to get an iPhone with a larger screen if given the chance. Many are jumping up and saying that they are happy with the size. Could that be because they know that option isn't available to them? Would they stay at home on the big iPhone XL launch day?
Here in NYC - especially among the working [and not-so-working] poor, the iPhone is recognized as a status symbol.
In fact, I told my aunt about the poll the Match.com advertisement referred to. Her thoughts from a woman's POV was that since the iPhone is generally seen as expensive when factoring in the cost of mobile phone plans, they figure the man has good credit and that might mean deeper pockets. I didn't come up with that.
In your experience, people may have come full-circle and see the device for the ubiquitous brand-recognition it has earned but for some people, it's a semi-affordable way to attempt to keep up with the Joneses.
Okay. I feel much less like a n00b for having to do the same thing. Thanks for saving a piece of my self-esteem.
I totally get your position. I have always been annoyed at catcallers because it just seems like they want to be rejected. A woman with self-respect isn't going to hand out her phone number like it's sample candy in Times Square. The ones that do respond to that type of approach are the ones the guys tend to berate for being "easy". If that's the case, why engage in that behavior?
I want to have the confidence to just say hello but knowing I have a better chance to find a winning Power Ball ticket on the ground than not being ignored keeps my eyes in my own lap.
It's not a big deal to me as much as it used to be. I understand that everyone has their preferences and they are within their rights to keep those standards high and in many ways should be encouraged to do so.
I think we weren't thinking about "bleeding-edge" in the same light. You're thinking about it technology-wise. I am thinking fashion-wise but I think we agree that predecessors to the PPC were technologically superior depending on what's important to you. Some people wanted something stable and the MDA clearly wasn't. I did own the Sprint version of the TyTN and it did have all of the features you mentioned but it didn't always work when I needed it to.
As for the Apple issue, your final point was the point I was making all along. It has been a long time since Apple targeted the Gadget Geek / Tech-savvy Person. Their real financial success came from the consumer market. They didn't aim the iPhone at tech veterans. They aimed it at people who generally didn't care about technology. Their commercials weren't about how technically advanced it was. They tried to sell the phone as the new iPod that removed the need for people to think.
I did reply to the wrong person but that 15 minute window closed on my hands.
I invite you to think again on the "bleeding-edge" thing in respects to how RIM was perceived 5 years ago. They WERE considered on the edge. They had the best approach to email and corporate at the time. Remember that this is pre-iPhone.
As for the Pro series comment, you're right but only right now. Why do you think Apple even feels comfortable letting go of what used to be a staple for their bottom line? Their consumer division took them from obscure to the most valuable tech company in the world. Would the iPhone have sold if the iPod did not exist before it? I doubt it. What was the platform they sold people on with the iPod? The same "you're not keeping up with the Joneses if you don't have this product" approach that works with the common consumer.
Yes, it IS pretentious and it makes me sick. I pay very close attention to the behind-the-scenes stuff that goes on away the shiny trade shows and television commercials. I want to know what the company is saying in meetings with investors - not what they say in press releases.
These guys really do believe that the common consumer is a mark that needs to be parted with his or her money. Sometimes, they think people are so stupid that they barely bother to veil their disrespect for the consumer.
Not that long ago, Diesel had a marketing campaign that encouraged their clients to be "idiots".
I don't personally believe that a person is an idiot if they aren't technically-savvy. Not everyone can know everything. There are things that tech guys aren't versed in. Should that make them idiots in the eyes of someone else with specialized knowledge? Of course not.
Those that sit in conference rooms in marketing firms? They have different opinions on that concept.
Did you just quote something you didn't read? That surely could not have been a cut-and-paste job since the quote you cite is in none of my text.
That says a lot.
You have an agenda. You're not above bending and twisting to meet your aim so trying to stick to reasoning will not work.
Now, go look up the word "policing" and go practice what the definition says. I didn't need to tell you that though.
I will leave you with this: Labeling someone as judgmental is a judgment in itself. Have a look-see in the mirror.
For me, I am not attracted to the typical "hot" chick in the slightest. My idea of pretty or beautiful is an inside-out combination.
My mother taught me from when I was young that a woman's appearance should be appreciated but I should focus on traits she had to cultivate - not the ones she was born with.
The experiences I am referring to are ones where I just want to walk down the streets of New York without being ridiculed as I go about my business. I never approach women in the street for any reason because I am afraid I will be arrested for saying something to someone. I have no interest in that so I stay to myself.
I am married to a great woman who saw past my run-of-the-mill appearance. Our relationship is great. Other women I do know recognize my worth as a man but do not wish to be in a non-monogamous relationship. I am totally cool with that. I am not ugly - just not going to be mistaken for a celebrity.
I apologize if I misrepresented my situation.
...and no, I am not attracted to skinny young pale girls. I am 28 and have always preferred older women but older women look at anyone younger than they are as children. I prefer a short woman subconsciously but whenever I am around a tall lady that isn't self-absorbed, I give the same kind of attention.
While I do have my preferences, they take a back seat to character. If I were any other way, I'd be alone today.
"Blackrout", anyone?
Damn man! That'd be one angry box opening!
Come to think of it, you bring up a good point. If people were so comfortable with the size of the iPhone, why is the iPad the best-selling tablet? With my Evo, I have never felt compelled to buy a tablet - I even questioned the usefulness of the tablet because of the 4-5" smartphones.
Nice. Fact is, my Evo 3D is thinner.
If a phone of any size can't fit in your pocket, your pants are too small. :)
I think we're getting to that point but we aren't exactly there yet. The Android devices don't have any real brand recognition in the eyes of the everyday consumer. They know anything with an "i" for a prefix is good. Notice how unrelated products in virtually every industry have tried to capitalize off of the iBonanza.
Have you seen the Match.com commercials where the woman tries to make small talk by mentioning that stupid survey that said that men that owned iPhones had more sex - only to have the guy reveal he had an Android device? Her reply? "Awkward".
You make mention of the sales of the iP4S. That's a great example of why it's a status symbol. The device really didn't have much more usability and looked exactly the same. People were still standing in lines all over the country for it - while holding iPhone 4s after having purchased it in some cases 4 or 5 months earlier.
The brand-equity still has much in the tank.
You are absolutely correct!
I still have my 32" Sony XBR6 from 2008 and I love it. When I upgraded to a 52" model 18 months later, the size scared the crap out of me for 2 weeks until I adjusted to it.
That still doesn't keep companies from trying to sell us bigger and bigger screens.
Who thought even 3 years ago that companies would be pushing panels to 84"?
See you seem to suffer from Giz-itis too.
Not everyone is technically savvy like the people that frequent this site. I have worked with people close to your age on the low and high side and I can tell you that many people 40+ have an outright fear of modern technology - not just plainly lacking knowledge/experience.
You're immune to marketing but you're in the tiny minority. Why else are trillions spent every year in marketing alone?
You're the exception - not the rule. If you were the rule, Apple would have been the biggest company 25 years ago.
I don't doubt that for a second. Your eyes will adjust to the size of the screen. Now, can you tell me if Apple announced a larger screen and started carrying on about how magical it is and start showing awesome visuals that you wouldn't be standing in line with millions of other people?
I'll take your word for it on the typing issue.
On the gaming side, the image in my head was one joystick on one side and two or three buttons on the other. Two small joysticks shouldn't obscure the viewing area too much.
I'll stand corrected on that.
