[wrench]

Not BS at all. These electronic gadgets are toys. Less than 1% of folks really need an Ipad, Ipod, cellphone, laptop, or any of the other wizbang gadget that have a 3 year life cycle.

In case you weren’t around then, we went to the moon, designed nuclear bombs, built the Hoover Dam, and thousands of other feats we can’t seem to figure out how to do today. And all these accomplishments were done without all these “look at me, I am important” toys.

[HiTech RedNeck]

So throw away your three year life cycle computer and log on to FR with a typewriter already. Preferably a manual one.

[Breto]

He who dies with the most toys..... Wins

[D-fendr]

These electronic gadgets are toys.

My toys help make my life interesting, productive and enjoyable.

I just wish mine were as cheap as an iPad.

:)

[ctdonath2]

Going to the moon was little more than adults playing with very expensive toys.

“Strange how much human progress and accomplishment comes from contemplation of the irrelevant.” - Scott Kim

[Gun142]

Less than 1% of folks really need an Ipad, Ipod, cellphone, laptop, or any of the other wizbang gadget that have a 3 year life cycle.

.....without all these “look at me, I am important” toys.

Every person I know who had to get an iPad 'first' now all claim they're great dust collectors. Loyal customer base (some call "fanboys") bought them up but not that many people actually use them for day to day [anything].

Which is the point of the article - think about what you're buying; what it costs now and what it's worth to your future.
(I work in an office, which requires some travel during the week, with at least a dozen rather vocal\overbearing (typical) Apple consumers. They claim iPad is a toy. Not useless but not that productive. Money better spent on something else? Yes! Guns!)

[harpu]

"Not BS at all."

AMEN

[buccaneer81]

Agree for the most part, but cell phones save lives.

[Lazlo in PA]

In case you weren’t around then, we went to the moon, designed nuclear bombs, built the Hoover Dam, and thousands of other feats we can’t seem to figure out how to do today. And all these accomplishments were done without all these “look at me, I am important” toys.

After reading your "back in the good old days" screed on technology, I got the impression you are contacting us on FR via one of these beauties. (The computer, not the chick.)

[Ramius]

Piffle

Sorry, dear luddite. The world is changing around you.

[ReignOfError]

In case you weren’t around then, we went to the moon, designed nuclear bombs, built the Hoover Dam, and thousands of other feats we can’t seem to figure out how to do today. And all these accomplishments were done without all these “look at me, I am important” toys.

True. The Manhattan Project didn't have computers -- just $1.2 billion worth of brainpower (just at Los Alamos -- the total project was about $21B in 1996 dollars). Apollo didn't need computers -- just tens of thousands of people and about a $170 billion 2005 dollars. Hoover Dam was a bargain at a mere $180 million of today's dollars.

Suddenly an iPod doesn't seem so extravagant.