This is the first time posting on MacRumors although I follow the news blog and forum religiously every day for the past few months. And usually I just quietly read and observe without passing judgment but some comments (not all) provoked my self-righteousness enough to register for an account and write a comment.
Honestly, although the original poster may not consciously be thinking it, the comments about how she looks or "Apple hired her just because she's a female" ARE sexist. I don't see anyone commenting on how Tim Cook looks when he gives his presentations or that he's in Apple "because he's a male". If you read up on Ahrendt's history, you'll know she took Burberry's company value from $2 billion to $7 billion in 8 years. I can't speak for everyone on this forum but I definitely cannot make even half of that working for 80 years. Not to mention revamping Burberry's whole brand image to becoming relevant again, as some forum members have mentioned. So, it's not because she's a woman, it's because she delivers damn good results, that Apple hired her... and any of their employees I'm sure.
Honestly, I'm in the camp of "Since it seems like you have a lot of great ideas on how to launch a product that has failed for every other company, please march up to 1 Infinite Loop and tell them how it's supposed to be done." Of course, it doesn't mean we can't criticise their actions, but I hope we all keep in mind the quality of people working at Apple. I think completely denouncing Apple's actions without consideration for how much the people there have worked to develop, market, and launch this product is just really immature and disrespectful.
Which brings me to another point... I'm sure many of us in this forum are successful, working adults, actively contributing to society. However, very often, I feel many of the forum members' comments do not reflect that reality. It's a shame because I think we're all here because we have a deep interest for a really great and innovative company (I will not dispute this statement). I understand some of the complaints and disdainful comments stem from a hope for Apple to be even better. I think many parents do this to their children, too. Fortunately, Apple is not our child and does not live to seek our approval. Despite what we say, they will do what they do, and honestly, that's the reason why I love Apple.
Honestly, I'm really grateful for everything Apple has done, is doing and will do. I enjoy reading some of the comments on here because they are very insightful. At the same time, I hope since it's a Mac Forum, the members would show more love for the company. But I guess this negative criticism is what happens when a chat forum about a company is mostly male (totally my assumption and I realise the irony in my gender-based comment, but I stand by it.) (^^)v