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Mac Users Are Not Elitists |
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 This is the first of what will hopefully be several articles on the subject of the psyche of Mac users versus that of Windows users (and maybe we'll touch on Linux users too).
The whole idea for this article started when I realized that sometimes I get so into my Mac that I forget there's a whole other world out there that has no idea what a Mac is. This is usually on weekends, and on Monday morning I'll usually happen across a flame or something negative or derogatory from a Windows user. I suddenly remember there's a whole "Us versus Them" mentality, and I really don't like it.
Mac users are a minority and a minority usually has to yell a lot louder to be heard. Sometimes I think our "yelling" is misinterpreted and miscontrued and ... well, let's just say that a lot of Windows users don't like Macs or Mac users because of misunderstandings.
Not only that, but I think there's a lot of misconceptions in the Mac Web and by Mac users, and a lot of recent changes and comments have me thinking about these sorts of things. For instance, over at MacNet2, John Manzione says "It's time to finally bury this whole 'cult' thing that people associate with owning a Mac. If you really want Apple to succeed try not being such an elitist".
Many other people have tagged Mac users as a cult or elitists or the "Mac faithful", and this is just plain wrong. So in the interest of bringing everyone together, singing kum-ba-ya around the fire, universal harmony, yadda yadda yadda, I will attempt to dispell misgivings about certain commonly held beliefs about Mac users. Ok, on second thought forget that peace, love and harmony crap, that ain't gonna happen any time soon. But we might just teach people a little something about the mentality of Mac users, and we Mac users may learn something about ourselves too.
So anyway... that was one hell of a long lead up...anyone still with me? Alright - Ed and Susan! Excellent!
So to continue, I've heard many a "PC user"* call Mac users "elitists", usually accompanied by any number of derogatory terms. Well I'm here to inform everyone that Mac users aren't elitists. Quite the opposite, it turns out.
Dictionary.com defines elitist as:
1. The belief that certain persons or members of certain classes or groups deserve favored treatment by virtue of their perceived superiority, as in intellect, social status, or financial resources.
2. a. The sense of entitlement enjoyed by such a group or class.
b. Control, rule, or domination by such a group or class.
Looking at definition 1, there are very, very few Mac users who either believe they deserve 'favored treatment', or think they have a sense of entitlement strictly because they own a Macintosh. In fact, quite the opposite is true: Mac users are the most down to earth people I've ever had the privilege to be associated with.
To "deserve favored treatment" would obviously have to mean that Mac users think they're above everyone else, better than everyone else, and look down on everyone as being "lesser", just like snooty high-class folks.
This is where the misconception from many Windows users comes in. I'll try my best to explain this, and please keep in mind I'm trying to do it as delicately as I can.
See, there are certain things we don't have to deal with on the Mac side (i.e. viruses, .dll errors, etc.). But on the other hand we have to deal with things like not being able to pick up software for our Mac at the local Walmart or K-mart.
Mac users (generally) do not look down on PC users as being lesser in any way, and yet there is a certain sort of sympathy that goes out to people we see as suffering (dealing with issues that are unheard of in the Mac world).
Now let's look at at definition 2a and 2b: the "sense of entitlement", and "Control, rule, or domination" by a group or class.
With 2a, we've already pointed out that Mac users don't enjoy a sense of entitlement just from owning a Mac. There are certain (many) things made easier with a Macintosh, but other things are harder (like the aforementioned purchasing of software). For most Mac users the benefits far outweigh the drawbacks, and surprise - that's why they're Mac users!
Now 2b's point, "Control, rule or domination", helps Mac users further shed the "elitist" tag. First of all, Mac users don't control the market. A 3% marketshare can't control that market, that's just nonsense.
Besides, Mac users actively try to convert as many PC users as possible - which totally blows away the "elitist" tag. How can a group that actively solicits more members (not selectively, mind you) be called elitist?
No, we're not elitists, we just like things to be a bit easier, and we'll pay Apple a bit more for that convenience. We don't think people who use Windows are any less of a person, but we do like to inform them there are other choices available. If someone truly wants to use Windows after being informed of all the other options out there, I for one, will happily leave them to it. I just don't want to hear how about how a Windows user had to format their drive for some reason or another, as I'll be happily chugging away making cool stuff with some iLife product or another.
In the end though, I realize this is just all coming down to semantics, and it really doesn't cut to the crux of the problem. Windows users still perceive Mac users to be elitists, and most Mac users do nothing to dissuade this perception. Most of the time the two sides of the fence don't know what it's like on the other side, so I'm just going to ask people to think about what it might be like and do your best to break through ignorance.
It takes more courage to step up and speak the truth in the face of ignorance than it is to just sit there, but just sitting there won't change anything. Or something ...
Anyway (and finally), for those who have noted that my writing has taken on a more serious tone, don't worry! I'll still do those goofball, idiotic articles at times, or at least spice up some articles with more humor. Sometimes though, I just gotta call 'em as I see 'em and point out (what I perceive to be) the Truth.
* Isn't it funny how "PC user" has come to mean a person who uses Windows? PC stand for Personal Computer, of course, and Apple was the company that made computers truly personal to begin with! Perhaps we should try to change this usage of the term and call everyone a PC user?
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March 15 2004, 12:25 PM EDT, by
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Comments:
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| iKen |
3/15/04, 7:23 PM EDT |
You can say that again. (don't though, it's too long) But really, Macintosh owners are always willing to help wintel users convert. That's the exact opposite of an elitist. good article.
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| Altos |
3/15/04, 10:36 PM EDT |
"Most of the time the two sides of the fence don't know what it's like on the other side"
I believe that this is not the case for the Mac folks. Proportionnaly more Mac users have personnally used Windows than Windows users have used Macs. And by this I mean real personnal experience in using the platform to achieve some results.
If the proportion was reversed or even similar on the Windows side, I think we would see far less Mac bashing from Wintel users (and probably more marketshare for Apple).
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| rlhamon |
3/16/04, 3:20 AM EDT |
Actually Mac users are more knowledgeable about new technologies. Mac users are willing to accept new trends in computers and I think some of the Windows users actually think the Mac is harder because Apple is the first to use majority of new technology's.
But I would think that Mac users are more like recruiters we want people who never used a Mac to try it once. We feel if people would used a Mac for just one week majority of people wouldn't be willing to go back to Windows.
I would go and say to a everyday person would look at the Mac community would think that we are just a group of geeks who like computers. But they wouldn't understand how attached someone would get to a machine that work and works very, very, well everyday.
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| Matt |
3/17/04, 11:00 PM EDT |
It's things like rlHamon just said that do a disservice to Mac users everywhere.
First off what has Apple used First? Firewire?
Maybe they have used some stuff first..But you're just blowing steam and putting words in alot of peoples mouth.
Mac users do this ...Pc users do this ...What the hell are you talking about..
You have no choice in what you adopt. you adopt a new machine every 2-5 or so years just like everyone else..
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| Jonahan |
3/18/04, 12:13 PM EDT |
Man it always just stinks in here after Matt's been by. (* sprays some lysol *) Ahh ... much better....
Now, a brief list of just some things that Apple either invented or adopted and made popular:
Optical mice, digital cameras (quicktake), the 3" floppy (and doing away with the floppy ;-)) , the PDA (Newton), the GUI, Firewire, the WiFi standards (Apple was the first to really push 802.11b AND 802.11g), Apple is now leading the field with iPod, the first really successful online music store, and I'm sure there's a whole lot more I'm forgetting (this is just off the top of my head).
Without Apple, where would we be now?
(Sung to the tune of The Doobie Brothers, "without love, where would we be now".)
More here...
her e
and this is intersting too.
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| Matt |
3/18/04, 1:15 PM EDT |
That's not the point ...I didn't disagree with you there..but if you ask me, I can do without all that stuff,
The point is ,
"""rlhamon 3/16/04, 3:20 AM EDT
Actually Mac users are more knowledgeable about new technologies. Mac users are willing to accept new trends in computers and I think some of the Windows users actually think the Mac is harder because Apple is the first to use majority of new technology's"""
guys like this give Mac useres everywhere a bad name...
" actually mac users Do this"
and
"pc users do this"
Thats just pure hogwash..
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| Jonahan |
3/18/04, 1:50 PM EDT |
I frankly have no idea what either of you meant, I'm just totally nonplussed.
And what is that chicken doing running around dressed up as Aunt Esther from Sanford & Son? Where the hell am I?
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| Matt |
3/18/04, 4:39 PM EDT |
I know you have no Idea...
Whats new?
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| rlhamon |
3/19/04, 2:31 PM EDT |
I don't understand where I gave Mac users a bad name. You agreed with what I said but I gave Mac users a bad name.
I never said PC users don't adapted new technologies but I will say it takes longer PC users to accept them. Is Mac people smarter? possible science and social test has proved it but I think it's because Apple makes software to use these technology easy and not painful like most pc software makers.
Example on a technology that is hitting mainstream is low cost dvd production. if you ever used Apple iMovie and Apple iDvd you'll agree that nothing is like it on the Windows platform. Nothing comes close to the ease of use the integration of both software titles it's the best low cost dvd production on the market.
How can I say that well this is what made me switch for windows to mac.
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| Matt |
3/20/04, 1:47 PM EDT |
OK...If you feel comfortable putting words in every mac users mouth thats fine...But my self as a PC/sometimes Mac user you have misrepresented me as a pc user for sure..
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| stickman67 |
3/22/04, 9:48 PM EDT |
Aww, cut it out, guys! You always have these great arguments when I'm not around, and now it's all over.
Or is it! Fwahahahahahahaha!
I have only one question for you, Matt:
Why do you bother? Do you imagine for one second that any one of us here is suddenly going to "see the light" (Matt-style)?
"Oh, wow! How blind I've been! If only I'd met Matt before I bought my first Mac Plus and blithely spent 15 years being totally productive and happy in my computing! Why can't I be like all those Windows users out there? The adrenaline of not knowing when my PC's going to crash next. The rush of seeing the blue screen of death. The thrill of downloading patch after patch after patch. Woe is me!"
Hmm!
Haven't you got socks to wash or something?
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| Matt |
3/23/04, 3:35 AM EDT |
I don't care if you guys see the "Light" or not..I just think it's pretty silly. Some guys here resort to tactics, Recruitment Propaganda if you will.Bogus stats, Benchmarks , testimonials etc. except when someone else comes along with a "different" view (imagine That)than they have , they get either censored,deleted,Ignored,or the post they created gets editied ..How can anything on this site be taken seriously.How do I know that every post isn't edited?
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| stickman67 |
3/23/04, 4:58 AM EDT |
How do you know that every post is edited? You don't!
Fwahahahahahahaha! Fwahahahaha ... uuuuuurk! Dang it! Choked on my own epiglottis!
Man, talk about paranoid conspiracy theories.
Matt, mate. Mate. Maaaaaaaaate. We're a little community of Mac-lovers here. We love Macs. We love to love Macs. And all the bad karma in the world isn't going to change that.
Peace, brother. A dove be upon your shoulder.
Life is waaaaay to short. :-)
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| Matt |
3/23/04, 1:52 PM EDT |
It's not a theory . My posts here get edited and deleted all the time..
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| stickman67 |
3/23/04, 6:51 PM EDT |
Oh.
Hey, hang on a minute!
How do I know some of the fun-lovin' guys around here aren't just making you up?
How do I know you're real?
After all, anyone who could be such a wild-eyed zealot over such a piece of [expletive deleted] as Windows does beggar belief ...
Is that you, Jonahan? iKen?
Aww! C'mon guys! Cut it out!
You're scaring me ...
Guys?
Guys?
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| Jonahan |
3/23/04, 8:39 PM EDT |
God-damn you're good Stickman! We created an entirely fictional character to add some controversy and get more hits. We'd have gotten away with it too if it weren't for you meddling kids (er ... australians?)
Frankly, it's surprising that people bought into it so far, what with the nonsensical, continually changing viewpoints we portayed. (It was a bunch of us posting at different times - should explain things)
Glad that you're back, btw. Was it my pseudo-serious articles that drove you away? I promise it won't happen again (much)
Oh and for the record....Matt holds the dubious distinction of having the ONLY comments we've even had to edit and/or delete. But since they were our own anyway, we didn't really delete them. So um... yeah. :-
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| stickman67 |
3/24/04, 5:13 AM EDT |
Are you for real?
Whoa! That's just too spooky!
I was just taking the p*ss! I thought Matt would go ballistic on me (or that I might get a bit of a laugh out of you guys).
It was seriously just a joke. You guys! Heh heh heh!
No wonder that SOB was such a bugger to argue with -- he had more twists than a hyperactive eel in a hot-buttered frying pan!
And I'm glad to be back, too. Not that I've really been away -- just mighty, mighty busy. But I missed the fun too much to let the real world keep me away for long. Trust me, nothing you guys write could turn me off this place -- unless you're planning to change it to 2guysadellandawebsite.
Naaaaah! It'll never happen! LOL
See you 'ron.
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This article is archived, so you may not comment on it.
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Deep Thoughts |
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I wouldn't be surprised if someday some fishermen caught a big shark and cut it open, and there inside was a whole person. Then they cut the person open, and in him is a little baby shark. And in the baby shark there isn't a person, because it would be too small. But there's a little doll or something, like a Johnny Combat little toy guy---something like that.
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