Obama bashes our "toys" (ipad/ipod/ps3/360)!

[Behshad]

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ytech_gadg/2010 ... g_tc1973_1

President Obama's commencement speech Sunday at Hampton University caused a little stir in tech circles after he took a swipe at some of our favorite toys — "iPods and iPads and PlayStations and Xboxes" — for turning "information" into a "distraction, a diversion, a form of entertainment." Oh, and he admitted that he doesn't know how to make any of them "work," either. Shocking!

Here's the passage of Obama's 2,000-word speech, delivered at the historically black college in Hampton, Va., that got the blogosphere all a-twitter (sorry, couldn't resist):


"And meanwhile, you're coming of age in a 24/7 media environment that bombards us with all kinds of content and exposes us to all kinds of arguments, some of which don't always rank that high on the truth meter. And with iPods and iPads and Xboxes and PlayStations — none of which I know how to work — information becomes a distraction, a diversion, a form of entertainment, rather than a tool of empowerment, rather than the means of emancipation. So all of this is not only putting pressure on you; it's putting new pressure on our country and on our democracy."

So is the president saying that iPods, iPads and PlayStations are bad (as the Inquirer puts it, "on his axis of evil list")? Or is he simply saying we should switch off our Xboxes once in a while and, I dunno, read a book or something?

[StevePerryHair]

Doesn't he know we NEED distractions from this crazy world we live in?

[The Sushi Hunter]

This is odd, since didn't Obama present the Queen of England with an ipod or some shit like that not too long ago? Plus Obama also states that his running for office was positively impacted by cell phone, BlueBerry, etc. use in reaching out to the voters.

[Ehwmatt]

Just because his constituents can't use their toys responsibly and sit on them all day in lieu of holding down jobs doesn't mean the rest of us don't enjoy them responsibly.

[The Sushi Hunter]

Sure as shit he did!

http://www.nydailynews.com/news/politic ... ed_-1.html

[Behshad]

This is odd, since didn't Obama present the Queen of England with an ipod or some shit like that not too long ago? Plus Obama also states that his running for office was positively impacted by cell phone, BlueBerry, etc. use in reaching out to the voters.

Maybe he wants to distract the Queen of England so we can take over their country ?
and maybe he likes Blueberry cause he likes actuall keyboard?

[The Sushi Hunter]

This is odd, since didn't Obama present the Queen of England with an ipod or some shit like that not too long ago? Plus Obama also states that his running for office was positively impacted by cell phone, BlueBerry, etc. use in reaching out to the voters.

Maybe he wants to distract the Queen of England so we can take over their country ?
and maybe he likes Blueberry cause he likes actuall keyboard?

I think it would be wise for us to start retaking over our own country first before trying to take over someone elses.

[Everett]

Next he's gonna say we shouldn't watch daytime soaps anymore

even though i only watch one

[Behshad]

Alan
Thats a ipod mini. Obama is talking about iPod touch and iPad,,, the more sophisticated ones where you can do more than just listen to music.....

[Behshad]

Alan
Thats a ipod mini. Obama is talking about iPod touch and iPad,,, the more sophisticated ones where you can do more than just listen to music.....

Dude said iPod and I take him at his word. You got more out of his quote than I did.

For the guy who touted using twitter and facebook and placed net ads for his campaign as well as raising a huge amount of cash thru the net, it takes some balls for him to say this. Especially to College Graduates who likely just spent four years using the now hated technology.

he doesnt hate technology,,, he hates people getting distracted by technology and using it to copy&paste quotes

[The Sushi Hunter]

I'm starting to wonder if Biden helped him put that ipod speech together for the Sunday at Hampton University appearance.

[squirt1]

Fact Finder- I saw that on the same site that you did. Lets say,I believe in OCD and Obsessive Compulsive Lying and everything else associated with that disorder. So do physchiatrists.

[Monker]

:shock:
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ytech_gadg/2010 ... g_tc1973_1

President Obama's commencement speech Sunday at Hampton University caused a little stir in tech circles after he took a swipe at some of our favorite toys — "iPods and iPads and PlayStations and Xboxes" — for turning "information" into a "distraction, a diversion, a form of entertainment." Oh, and he admitted that he doesn't know how to make any of them "work," either. Shocking!

Here's the passage of Obama's 2,000-word speech, delivered at the historically black college in Hampton, Va., that got the blogosphere all a-twitter (sorry, couldn't resist):


"And meanwhile, you're coming of age in a 24/7 media environment that bombards us with all kinds of content and exposes us to all kinds of arguments, some of which don't always rank that high on the truth meter. And with iPods and iPads and Xboxes and PlayStations — none of which I know how to work — information becomes a distraction, a diversion, a form of entertainment, rather than a tool of empowerment, rather than the means of emancipation. So all of this is not only putting pressure on you; it's putting new pressure on our country and on our democracy."

So is the president saying that iPods, iPads and PlayStations are bad (as the Inquirer puts it, "on his axis of evil list")? Or is he simply saying we should switch off our Xboxes once in a while and, I dunno, read a book or something?

He is simply saying that a constant conversation of worthless soundbytes, misquotes, out of context quotes, gathered and organized by groups with an agenda, and argued by those with personal agendas, is worthless...and is a distraction from reality and real facts. Those are the tools people have used to become 'plugged in' to that stream of mindless thought. This forum is a perfect example, to be honest. He is not saying the 'tools' are bad, but those tools are not being used in a productive way.

I used to say that Windows allowed stupid people to use a computer and AOL allowed stupid people to use the internet...a very bad combination. Nowadays, a 5yr old could use either...and judging by the conversation out there, most people wouldn't know the difference.

[Rip Rokken]

Strange coming from the first president who refused to part with his Crackberry, so they had to design one with special encryption and security.

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/01/09/busin ... berry.html

[Sarah]

That's not an iPod, that looks like a phone, maybe a Blackberry. Even the top of an iPod Mini didn't look like that.

[squirt1]

Anyone believe in -Do as I say,not as I do ?