Filed under: iPad
Study: iPad owners are selfish elitists, non-owners are independent geeks
If you happen to be anti-iPad (and probably vocal about it), don't worry, we're not leaving you out. Those who criticize the iPad, says the study, most likely don't own one (which seems obvious, no?), and tend to be "independent geeks" -- "self-directed young people who look down on conformity and are interested in videogames, computers, electronics, science and the internet." In short, "bashing the iPad is, in a way, an identity statement for independent geeks." Owning an iPad might make you less inclined to give to charity, but not owning one means you're trying to define yourself by being anti-Apple.
Whew -- and they say generalization is a bad thing. In reality, of course, there are all kinds of shades of gray in here. Certainly there are very altrustic people who have purchased iPads, and certainly, not owning an iPad doesn't mean you're searching for an identity (nor, of course, does it mean you have one). But these are definitely general trends -- we've heard before that iPad owners tend to be at least more wealthy and educated than have-nots, and just one browse through your average comments section will tell you that "independent geeks" are often more than willing to criticize to make themselves look good.
[via Slashdot]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 4)
Buckingham said 8:07AM on 7-29-2010
Hmm, I own an iPad, and I didn't know this about myself. What other gadgets should I buy to evaluate my personality? I am so curious.
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David L Good said 8:45AM on 7-29-2010
I also did not know all this about myself. Shoot -- I had 4 iPads, but my cruel inner-self had forced me to give one away to a friend for his birthday and I'm giving the other one to the lady who watches our dogs while we're away. I'm such a horrible person.
Maybe I should be independent and not conform. I'll do that, as the study suggests, by getting into: videogames, computers, electronics, science, and the internet.... because NO ONE gets into those, so I'll be sooooo unique.
Even though I own an iPad I'm not well educated, since I had to look up the meaning of the word "altruism". I'm an idiot.
Edward said 10:24AM on 7-29-2010
Hmmm.. That means I'm rich! Yes! Always wanted to be rich!
(Sarcasm)
Heimbachae said 10:29AM on 7-29-2010
i'm rich!!?? (looks out windows to see them repoing my car)
Ben said 2:24PM on 7-29-2010
you selfish elitist!
oh crap me too...
Jack Stevens said 4:04PM on 7-29-2010
@David L Good
"I'm an idiot."
Well, you sure sound like one. Your whole argument does nothing but fit you into the author's generalizations. You sound whiny, insecure, and and elitist. Your example of why your a good person is that you give out free iPads? Steve Jobs, is that you?
furobiker said 11:00AM on 7-30-2010
PWN3D!! Apple fanboys!!! woooohooo!
nightmarejor said 5:18PM on 7-30-2010
You guys commenting are making my day. I don't have an Ipad. At the same time, I do not judge people who do. It's different strokes for different folks and people should not hate on others just because of a gadget. Besides, not all geeks are interested in the hardware. I am a musical geek heavily into poetry.
It's just a sign that we are in a very generalized, selfish time and a gadget should not be seen as an indicator of your personality.
Forget this study and lets play with our tech!
Jerome said 8:33PM on 8-13-2010
I have an iPad. I give to charity. We sponsor a child in Sri Lanka. The study was probably conducted by someone who hates, despises, is uncharitable and a fool.
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Tim Kambitsch said 8:12AM on 7-29-2010
So to be a real non-conformist I am going to act on my desires to buy an iPad and make an extra donation to the United Way.
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gplongwood said 8:25AM on 7-29-2010
I am against all technology and wrote this with my mind.
I have an iPad:-)
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Paulgnewton said 8:33AM on 7-29-2010
Interesting... I am unimpressed with apple and critical of the Wi-fi only iPad, don't want to own an iphone4 and dedicated to windows os. Yet I own an iPad 3G. I suppose I have a split personality.....
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maliwi said 8:28AM on 7-29-2010
Giving has felt wrong since I bought my iPad. Since I like to conform I'll have to shut down my Kiva account and turn off my monthly payroll deductions for local charities. I'll also have to take back the MacBook I gave my mom after replacing it with the iPad and put it in the closet. No need having it be of use to someone.
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Erik said 9:10AM on 7-29-2010
Thanks for mentioning Kiva! Until now, I had never heard of this organization before. I had to Google it to see what you were talking about.
What a neat idea!
BTW, I ALSO own an iPad.
Vertigo said 10:20AM on 7-29-2010
Side note:
Kiva.org is absolutely my favorite charity! I love the fact that I can continue to re-donate the same money again and again. It feels amazing to be moving around hundreds of dollars regularly, as I've been doing it for a while now.
Everyone should check it out.
redcard said 8:28AM on 7-29-2010
So those that criticise the iPad are young and bitter cos their moms won't buy them for them, so they launch an online crusade to validate their lack of possession?
Don't worry, kids. Once you grow up and get that Assistant Manager position in KFC you'll be able to buy one all by yourself!
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redcard said 8:31AM on 7-29-2010
Plus, this isn't about people that don't own an iPad, ts about people that spend their days bashing it.
Anti-Redcard said 4:58PM on 7-29-2010
That wasn't elitst at all. Here I expected more geeks to be bashing the padsnobs with burning apples in their avatars- Good to see some good ol' classist remarks!
I give it 30 more posts before someone says only myspace users don't have Ipads.
Is red only saying that kids who are likely to work at KFC live in neighborhoods where moms are cruel and don't have money to buy them frivolous products?
The author warned us about taking this study to generalize too far- let us take his/her advice.
TheCastro said 8:31AM on 7-29-2010
People who buy iPads are more wealthy? Really? I'm pretty sure most Apple computer purchasers are "more wealthy." Yes I lumped the iPad in with iMacs etc.
Also how accurate is a survey of less than 1% of owners of a product?
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David L Good said 8:37AM on 7-29-2010
I think you're correct. It could probably be said of anyone who purchases anything over a certain price tag. Expensive items are usually purchased by those who make enough money to purchase them. Therefore, you could draw the conclusion that those people are "wealthy". And, since most people who have a lot of money from their jobs are well educated you could also assume that they're... well... smart (or at least educated).
I don't really see how this study revealed anything new. Certainly nothing specific to the iPad. This is just obvious logic.