Every year when I see these images, I am reminded of how selfish humans are. These people will stand in lines for days to get an iPhone but somehow never have any time to vote, volunteer or read a book to their kids. I honestly believe we have taken individualism and consumerism to a ridiculously unhealthy levels. Then we wonder why there are so many problems in our society...
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Thousands of Customers Waiting in Line at Apple Retail Stores for iPhone XS, XS Max and Apple Watch Series 4 as Global Launch Continues
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I used to do this to get the new apple stuff. But honestly I had fun doing it. It was nice taking to other people in line etc. I would not consider myself pathetic, if I had some time then it’s my decision how to spend my time. We only have one life and we should do what we enjoy.
Now I am getting to old for this ****. And I have 3 kids so hard to find time for that lol
Now I am getting to old for this ****. And I have 3 kids so hard to find time for that lol
And your petty ranting is improving the world how?
I’m sure all those people camping out for days for Beatles and Stones tickets ended society too.
Standing in line at the Michigan Ave store in Chicago. Line isn’t too long. Seems like they have plenty of product in store. I’m a happy camper. 
My life is so empty and depressing doing this is the only fulfillment I get.
Seriously though, if people enjoy doing this, it's not hurting anyone. People coming together with a common interest and enjoying each others company while they wait isn't necessarily a bad thing.
I've waiting in line for plenty of stuff I enjoy and chatted with others while doing so and had a fun time while doing it.
No need to be so judgmental towards others.
Seriously though, if people enjoy doing this, it's not hurting anyone. People coming together with a common interest and enjoying each others company while they wait isn't necessarily a bad thing.
I've waiting in line for plenty of stuff I enjoy and chatted with others while doing so and had a fun time while doing it.
No need to be so judgmental towards others.
The only times I waited inline was to enter a nightclub by peer pressure from my friends and at one point I heavily considered to just walk away. Other times it was just for food, reminds me now of the Sienfield “Soup Na**” episode.
I got to my local Apple store two hours before their website said they open, and found they had already opened with a small line. I waited maybe 5 minutes before someone set up my reservation and told me to come back for pick up in two hours.
I havent reserved a product beforehand since the 5S launch, and this year the process felt pleasantly different than before. Its nice to know that the device you want (provided it’s in stock) will be there waiting, and not having to stand in line.
I havent reserved a product beforehand since the 5S launch, and this year the process felt pleasantly different than before. Its nice to know that the device you want (provided it’s in stock) will be there waiting, and not having to stand in line.
Only one word can explain this pattern of behaviour, “addiction”.
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Risking ones health for a mobile phone = priorities aligned
Risking one's health? Oy, the risk-averse generations will yet kill the species with underexposed immune systems and anxieties over what might do them in before they expire of boredom at home, "safe" from danger of encountering a stray alien molecule like those fools waiting to snag an iPhone on launch day.
If one is merely addicted to constant upgrades of Apple gear, one can simplify things by just time-shifting the acquisition of the next "high" to some fixed point like 4 months after launch and then making an online transaction. No need to get out there and risk having fun (or being bored) in public.
Really only two words can explain lining up to get an iPhone: "personal choice".
Even if one's not out for the social fun of it all, and so is perhaps as some say a peon working for black market managers, the choice to do it or not do it is still a personal one.
What's sad and pathetic is those who are judging others on how they use their free time. I'll tell you what, add up however many football games a person goes to per year and if they go to all the home games that would easily be more than the typical iPhone line. Add up all the other stuff in your life that you do not do out of necessity. It's hypocritical thinking like this that irks me.
Seriously, it's so ironic that the ones calling others sad and pathetic are the ones who are truly sad and pathetic. Personally I see zero value in watching a football game TV or live, much less waiting in line to see one, but I wouldn't call that a "sad and pathetic" experience to someone who does enjoy it. Live and let live.
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And how do you know "these people" don't vote, volunteer or read a book to their kids? I get what you are saying and I don't disagree about the consumerism part, but what you are saying applies to a LOT more, including as one example watching and following sports.
Stupid comparison. You can't fly without boarding the plane. You can get a phone without waiting in line.
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The difference here is that one can't watch a football game without waiting in line. One can easily get an iPhone without waiting in line. Those waiting in line to buy an iPhone are doing so for the sake of waiting in line. That's what many think is pathetic (although I would not use this term).
Have you talked to each person in line to determine they “never have any time to vote, volunteer or read a book to their kids”?
Maybe come November people will stand in line to VOTE in the USA. Just like they stand in line for a phone. If anything its human interaction like in the old days when I stood in line for a Commodore 64. Or the 1st motorola bag phone, that cost $2.50 min to call. Yes, the days when people actually met in person. When having friends was human. Your internet contacts are not friends. Thats why so many say whatever they feel like. Because nobody knows you. So, if people want to stand in line for a phone, they can STAND IN LINE TO VOTE. The USA can not afford a repeat of 2016. Otherwise you will pay 30% tariffs on your iPhones come 2020.
Risking one's health? Oy, the risk-averse generations will yet kill the species with underexposed immune systems and anxieties over what might do them in before they expire of boredom at home, "safe" from danger of encountering a stray alien molecule like those fools waiting to snag an iPhone on launch day.
If one is merely addicted to constant upgrades of Apple gear, one can simplify things by just time-shifting the acquisition of the next "high" to some fixed point like 4 months after launch and then making an online transaction. No need to get out there and risk having fun (or being bored) in public.
Really only two words can explain lining up to get an iPhone: "personal choice".
Even if one's not out for the social fun of it all, and so is perhaps as some say a peon working for black market managers, the choice to do it or not do it is still a personal one.
Can “personal choice” and Apple coexist on the same line.
Well if heat stress or a stroke is not a health risk that puts undue burden on emergency mobile service just so an individual can stand outside inline to purchase an electronic product. Hmm or order the device that is plenty available in-stock and get it delivered or select a pick-up window.
I can concede the fun factor for a new device such as the X last year, however I cannot say the same for the Xs or Max and this is coming from a person who ordered a Xs upgrading from a SE unwillingly. Even for a S year, it does not seem exciting compared to prior releases.
I would put my health at risk for food that would remedy the heat stress/stroke, hunger/thirst when I reach the front of the line, however one cannot eat an iPhone (I am sure some will try) to the same satisfaction.
Instant gratification the present day addiction.
It's obviously a generalized statement describing society at large. I am pretty sure the people standing in line are a statistically significant representation of our population. About 40% of eligible voters vote, slightly over 20% of Americans volunteer and while I don't have statistics for how often parents read to their kids, it was more of a generalized statement. Our priorities are all screwed up -- that was my point.
That's still not making sense, there are lots of things in life you can get without waiting in line. What about people in line at the Apple store waiting to pay, but on any other day of the year? So are all those people in line at the supermarket or department store "sad and pathetic" because they aren't using Amazon? Aren't the football game watchers "sad and pathetic" because they could have avoided the lines by just watching the game at home?
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But if those in line are a statistically significant representation of our population, what does them standing in line have to do with what you are saying? The people who don't do these things wouldn't do them anyway, regardless of what they were doing with their free time. I get that you are trying to make a larger statement about society in general using the Apple lines as a symptom of a disease, but I think there are other issues which are much more important such as why voters are apathetic, but this isn't the right forum for that.
Definitely glad I just pre-ordered through the store app. Downside is I'm still stuck waiting for UPS to deliver it
Right, it isn't just sad rather pathetic. And don't compare probable once in a life time events to a product or any product release, night and day. The product will be there hours, days later, the event won't.