Sidebar Sidebar
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.

Conversations with Laypeople

J

joeblow7777

macrumors 604
Original poster
Sep 7, 2010
7,360
9,461
I enjoy engaging in conversations on techie forums such as this one, but I find that the people who frequent sites like this one often forget or just never realize how little this stuff matters to the average person.

For example, here's a conversation I had with two of my coworkers today:

Me: "So, Apple is debuting their new iPhones today..."

*puzzled looks from coworkers*

Coworker 1: "Another one? Already??"

Me: "Well it's every year..."

Coworker 1: "Has it really been a year since the 6?"

Me: "Yeah."

Coworker 2: "How much more can they improve a phone that they need to release a new one every year?"

*Note: I think this question was meant to apply to smartphone makers in general, not Apple in particular*

Me: "They also may be debuting the iPad Pro."

Coworker 2: "What's that?"

Me: "Um... A better iPad, I guess."


That was the conversation in a nutshell. So does anyone else want to share any conversations with laypeople?
 
I find there are two types of lay people.

Those you can speak to, even if it's in general, watered down terms. And the type you indicate, who are clueless because they only care when it matters to them.

The latter type you can't talk to. They are only interested when it matters to them and when it does your advice is thoroughly sifted only for the parts they think are relevant or make it easier/faster for them. These are the people who want the 'cool factor' of the latest thing but none of the responsibility for learning how to use it. They never listen to anyone.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Newtons Apple
eyoungren said:
I find there are two types of lay people.

Those you can speak to, even if it's in general, watered down terms. And the type you indicate, who are clueless because they only care when it matters to them.

The latter type you can't talk to. They are only interested when it matters to them and when it does your advice is thoroughly sifted only for the parts they think are relevant or make it easier/faster for them. These are the people who want the 'cool factor' of the latest thing but none of the responsibility for learning how to use it. They never listen to anyone.
Click to expand...

I'd say that that view is a bit cynical. It's just that for techie people, we enjoy immersing ourselves in the tech world. We like using devices, talking about them, hearing about them, seeing them, etc. For most people, they're just tools, and if their complexity appears to overshadow their usefulness, they're not worth it. Honestly, this is a large part of the reason why iPhones are so popular. We all know that there are Android phones with better specs and more features, but to many people that's just more complexity without enough added usefulness.
 
joeblow7777 said:
I enjoy engaging in conversations on techie forums such as this one, but I find that the people who frequent sites like this one often forget or just never realize how little this stuff matters to the average person.

For example, here's a conversation I had with two of my coworkers today:

Me: "So, Apple is debuting their new iPhones today..."

*puzzled looks from coworkers*

Coworker 1: "Another one? Already??"

Me: "Well it's every year..."

Coworker 1: "Has it really been a year since the 6?"

Me: "Yeah."

Coworker 2: "How much more can they improve a phone that they need to release a new one every year?"

*Note: I think this question was meant to apply to smartphone makers in general, not Apple in particular*

Me: "They also may be debuting the iPad Pro."

Coworker 2: "What's that?"

Me: "Um... A better iPad, I guess."


That was the conversation in a nutshell. So does anyone else want to share any conversations with laypeople?
Click to expand...

We find that many others could really care less, about a lot of the tech stuff.
 
joeblow7777 said:
I'd say that that view is a bit cynical. It's just that for techie people, we enjoy immersing ourselves in the tech world. We like using devices, talking about them, hearing about them, seeing them, etc. For most people, they're just tools, and if their complexity appears to overshadow their usefulness, they're not worth it. Honestly, this is a large part of the reason why iPhones are so popular. We all know that there are Android phones with better specs and more features, but to many people that's just more complexity without enough added usefulness.
Click to expand...
But you are proving my point.

Anything that makes it easier to deal with complexity is what these people are listening to. Unless it's relevant to that their eyes glaze over and they never hear you. Even when they do hear you they struggle to understand and that's that you are being Adam Lisagore (look him up) to them.

Yes, you and I are techies and interested in this stuff. But today's modern world requires a certain level of knowledge if you want to function in it. Luddites still exist but it's getting harder to stay one.

And not caring about the 'technie' stuff can bite you in the ass.
 
Six8 said:
You mean couldn't care less.
Click to expand...

I had a simple flip phone and was on Sprint at $43 US a Month,had it 17 years until Sprint sent me a notice after the end of the Month, I needed two items one a new phone two a new contract.
So I bought my first iPhone the 4 and my new contract was not $89 US a Month.
Until then I don't think I really gave much thought to the phone,I learned to like the many things I could do with the new phone, take pictures store pictures send text messages. But I did not like the higher cost and the 2 year contract.
I think until something really impacts one, it has no real meaning.
Example 2000 light years away from earth.
Today I know many who don't wish to use a computer let alone a smart phone or tablet,but banks and credit card companies demand their use.
So like it or not it's welcome to the real world of tech. stuff.
 
digitalcuriosity said:
I had a simple flip phone and was on Sprint at $43 US a Month,had it 17 years until Sprint sent me a notice after the end of the Month, I needed two items one a new phone two a new contract.
So I bought my first iPhone the 4 and my new contract was not $89 US a Month.
Until then I don't think I really gave much thought to the phone,I learned to like the many things I could do with the new phone, take pictures store pictures send text messages. But I did not like the higher cost and the 2 year contract.
I think until something really impacts one, it has no real meaning.
Example 2000 light years away from earth.
Today I know many who don't wish to use a computer let alone a smart phone or tablet,but banks and credit card companies demand their use.
So like it or not it's welcome to the real world of tech. stuff.
Click to expand...
Wut?
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Register on MacRumors! This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.
Top Bottom
Back