You might not think of Apple Computer (now aka "Apple, Inc.") as "the government" but I do! It governs me just as much as any "official" government does. Why would I say that? Essentially because of how inescapable their control over my life is at this point.
Look, there are only two computer operating systems: Windows from Microsoft and Mac, from Apple. For phones and tablets, again there are only two: Google's Android and Apple's iOS. Theoretically, I have a choice. But in practice, there is not much choice.
A good analogy is the two party system, Republicans and Democrats. I don't happen to like either of them because of their strong ties to big money interests. But what choice do I have? OK, I vote for Democrats usually, because they slightly better align with my interests. But overall, they don't really represent most of what I would like. Sure, I may be an outlier in many ways, but only two choices? Give me a break! This not democracy according to my opinion.
The same goes for Apple Computer. Over the years since Steve Jobs passed away, the company has changed from a "high quality" product company into a "chasing the market" company. So, do I have a choice? It's a free market, right? Well, it's not that simple. To change over, I'd have to make a significant investment in equipment. I'd need to spend thousands of dollars I don't have at the moment. But in addition, there would be the time to learn the ins and outs of entirely different software systems. I can get around inside an Apple system in my sleep, practically. When it comes to Windows, I'm all thumbs, confusion, and ignorance. With the deep level I use technology, this "learning curve" would have a significant impact on my life.
So, I'm stuck. If Apple doesn't have a feature or fix a bug, I'm stuck with it. If Apple comes out with a new product and renders a previous one obsolete, I'm screwed, ... if I can't afford the new one. Sure, I can write to them to ask for changes, fixes, etc., but that's just like writing to my congressional representative. Apple doesn't reply, and my congressional representative sends a form letter that mentions topic I raised in the most general of terms. Not much different, really. I'm just one of millions upon millions of people trying to have an impact on a centralized power. Good luck to me!
I vote for Democrats (mostly) in elections in November. I "vote" for Apple Computer each time I purchase a product from them or download the latest version of one of their systems (Mac OS or iOS). You can rant all you want about Donald Trump threatening to create a totalitarian system. In my opinion, I already live in one, almost, when it comes to my technology platform..
Look, there are only two computer operating systems: Windows from Microsoft and Mac, from Apple. For phones and tablets, again there are only two: Google's Android and Apple's iOS. Theoretically, I have a choice. But in practice, there is not much choice.
A good analogy is the two party system, Republicans and Democrats. I don't happen to like either of them because of their strong ties to big money interests. But what choice do I have? OK, I vote for Democrats usually, because they slightly better align with my interests. But overall, they don't really represent most of what I would like. Sure, I may be an outlier in many ways, but only two choices? Give me a break! This not democracy according to my opinion.
The same goes for Apple Computer. Over the years since Steve Jobs passed away, the company has changed from a "high quality" product company into a "chasing the market" company. So, do I have a choice? It's a free market, right? Well, it's not that simple. To change over, I'd have to make a significant investment in equipment. I'd need to spend thousands of dollars I don't have at the moment. But in addition, there would be the time to learn the ins and outs of entirely different software systems. I can get around inside an Apple system in my sleep, practically. When it comes to Windows, I'm all thumbs, confusion, and ignorance. With the deep level I use technology, this "learning curve" would have a significant impact on my life.
So, I'm stuck. If Apple doesn't have a feature or fix a bug, I'm stuck with it. If Apple comes out with a new product and renders a previous one obsolete, I'm screwed, ... if I can't afford the new one. Sure, I can write to them to ask for changes, fixes, etc., but that's just like writing to my congressional representative. Apple doesn't reply, and my congressional representative sends a form letter that mentions topic I raised in the most general of terms. Not much different, really. I'm just one of millions upon millions of people trying to have an impact on a centralized power. Good luck to me!
I vote for Democrats (mostly) in elections in November. I "vote" for Apple Computer each time I purchase a product from them or download the latest version of one of their systems (Mac OS or iOS). You can rant all you want about Donald Trump threatening to create a totalitarian system. In my opinion, I already live in one, almost, when it comes to my technology platform..
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