21

Yeah that is all the article was about, somehow the point was lost on many people.

Mike

Posted by mike on October 2, 2003 at 9:25 AM (PDT)

22

No, the point has been lost on you. You’re fetishizing your ipods. Apple knows this, they encourage it. Steve Jobs has been using the mystical juice since his high school days—don’t forget he trekked off to India to study swami indoctrination methods and drug regimes.

Apple has always relied on developing a cult-like following for its products. It suits Jobs’ temperment and reduces their marketing costs.

iPods are not better than any other player. Neither are they worse. But people polarize into believing one of these two dichotomies because that’s the way Apple likes it: a Holy War, with the Macolytes and ipodophiles as the shock troops.

Posted by fetish on October 2, 2003 at 9:34 AM (PDT)

23

man you need help

Mike

Posted by mike on October 2, 2003 at 10:57 AM (PDT)

24

Ah Mike, you’re a stone-kicker then and to hell with subtexts? I like a plain-talking, simple-dealing man as much as the next bear, but I think some people might not find it so alluring…

http://www.samueljohnson.com/refutati.html

After we came out of the church, we stood talking for some time together of Bishop Berkeley’s ingenious sophistry to prove the nonexistence of matter, and that every thing in the universe is merely ideal. I observed, that though we are satisfied his doctrine is not true, it is impossible to refute it. I never shall forget the alacrity with which Johnson answered, striking his foot with mighty force against a large stone, till he rebounded from it—“I refute it thus.”

http://www.samueljohnson.com/refutati.html

Of course the manifest content of the article was about packaging. But the latent content of the article is clearly commodity fetishism. It’s kind of embarressing for a journalist to write this badly in public, it’s like a public money shot.

Posted by fetish on October 2, 2003 at 11:25 AM (PDT)

25

I think this thread illustrates just how widespread the abuse of prescription drugs is in this country. 

And it certainly it’s not for a shortage of brain power. Many of these posts are quite intelligent in nature, just misdirected. Use your power for good!

Posted by SpideyPod on October 2, 2003 at 11:44 AM (PDT)

26

I understand that you are quite set in your decision that this article is solely about commodity fetishism.  With that understanding comes the realization that there is no point to further dispute whether this is, or is not the fact.  I can see your point to a degree, but you also have to realize that maybe this article was written to appeal to a demographic of people who respect packaging design as an art.  I come from a graphic design background so I can see how someone could appreciate something as mundane as the packaging of an iPod.  So as with most journalism there is a particular audience this article was meant to reach.  Even though you may not be part of that audience it doesn’t mean that you should try to convert the heathens that believe otherwise.  With that I take my leave, and leave you to your crusade.

Mike

P.S. After reading this thread again it really cracks me up. 

Posted by mike on October 2, 2003 at 2:52 PM (PDT)

27

> I like how Apple packaged my iPod, and admire their attention to deatail and sense of Graphic Design. ( I am a Graphic Designer btw)

> I come from a graphic design background so I can see how someone could appreciate something as mundane as the packaging of an iPod.

Graphic designers are the witch doctors of commodity fetishism. It’s all about rituals. Different societities display different rituals, but the purpose is constant.

http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/06052b.htm

“The fetish-man always carries in his sack a strange assortment of articles out of which he makes the fetishes. The flight of the poisonous arrow, the rush of the maddened buffalo, or the venomous bite of the adder, can be averted by these charms; with their assistance the waters of the Congo may be safely crossed.”

Posted by fetish on October 2, 2003 at 3:21 PM (PDT)

28

Mike, give it up man. There is no getting through to this guy. Next thing he is going to tell you to repent and move into a commune in Waco Texas so that he and his people can “cleanse” you.

I get what you are saying entirely and agree, the Apple packaging is something to be appreciated.

Posted by SpideyPod on October 2, 2003 at 3:35 PM (PDT)

29

LOL fetish man you crack me up. 

That last reply reminds me of Rocky and Bullwinkle “Hey Rocky! watch me pull a rabbit outta my hat!..... ROAR!”.

Mike

“Graphic designers are the witch doctors of commodity fetishism.” is my new signature here at iPodlounge thanks

Posted by mike on October 2, 2003 at 4:20 PM (PDT)

30

This thread started out well,and then took a dark turn. I don’t even want to think about how Karl Marx got thrown into the mix… 
This is my first experience with ANY Apple product,and I did my homework before taking the plunge and buying the Ipod.I didn’t buy it because it was a “status symbol”.This is an investment. I decided to buy it because out of all the MP3 players I’ve owned(or considered), Apple impressed me because the overall layout and design of the Ipod made it the most intuitive and hassle free to use (issues with MusicMatch aside). The packaging of the Ipod didn’t even enter into the equation.
  However, when I finally got mine, I was blown away by the packaging design.It was an unintentional plus. I have never experienced a product that gave me such a rush opening it,but the Ipod box was amazing.Everything was laid out logically,and I didn’t have to deal with unnecessary packing crap or engaging in combat just to open the damn box. It’s cool that they cared enough to put thought into the overall design. Plus, the box is really,really,really pretty…
  I’m still a PC user,but because of little details like the box,and bigger ones like dealing with Apple overall,I am definitely thinking about buying more from Apple soon…

Posted by Christianicononev.2 on October 2, 2003 at 7:56 PM (PDT)

31

“Dark Turn”? Whaddaya mean? Any one that quotes from the Catholic Encyclopedia *and* Comrade Marx to make their point gets my vote. I just want a Grouch Marx quote to complete this unholy Trinity!

Posted by NMIGuy on October 3, 2003 at 8:31 AM (PDT)

32

LOL. Personally,I would prefer a quote from a John Waters movie (i.e.“Who wants to die for Art?I do!!!”),but Groucho Marx works. Seriously,though,I was referring to how everything started out as a discussion of the packaging design,then turned into Apple bashing,segued into “The Communist Manisfesto”,and then threatened to morph into an episode of “Frasier”.A really bad one,at that. Or was it “Dudgeons and Dragons”? Whatever…

Posted by Christianicononev.2 on October 3, 2003 at 9:42 AM (PDT)

33

LOL. Personally,I would prefer a quote from a John Waters movie (i.e.“Who wants to die for Art?I do!!!”),but Groucho Marx works. Seriously,though,I was referring to how everything started out as a discussion of the packaging design,then turned into Apple bashing,segued into “The Communist Manisfesto”,and then threatened to morph into an episode of “Frasier”.A really bad one,at that. Or was it “Dudgeons and Dragons”? Bad High School Debate? Whatever…

Posted by Christianicononev.2 on October 3, 2003 at 9:49 AM (PDT)

34

“Fetish” is just angry because he majored in socialanthropology and thus can’t get a proper job that pays him well enough to buy an iPod.

And he obviously never owned an Apple computer either, or he wouldn’t be talking cr*p here on this forum.

Bottom line: the iPod is just a great piece of hardware, and the box that it came in looks cool. That’s all there is too it.

Btw: are there any fan-websites for iRiver mp3 players or equivalent? Now, THAT would be funny! [url=http://www.crappymp3playerlounge.com]http://www.crappymp3playerlounge.com..[/url]

Posted by SlutMonkey on October 19, 2003 at 2:10 PM (PDT)

35

If the iPod is such a “great piece of hardware” then why is it so lame compared to all the new players? Is Apple losing its touch? Is it impossible for them to make an advanced player? Have they spent all their money and effort on marketing and packaging? I think the point is that if you fetishize something blindly then you overlook its flaws no matter what. Think of how the fetish religions differ from Judeo-Islamic-Christianity, where people of free will are free to question their God. Think of Job. Think of Jesus in the Wilderness. Think of Mohammed’s Dialogue.

http://gear.ign.com/articles/452/452815p1.html?fromint=1

“The iRiver iHP-100, which is the company’s first stab at the hard drive market, sits between the iPod and Zen NX in many ways. The sound quality is not quite on par with Creative’s, but is better than Apple’s. It is slightly larger than the iPod, but a good bit smaller than the Zen NX. However, in terms of straight features and abilities it beats the hell out of both.

No player is more versatile than the iHP-100. From the digital optical in and out to the insane menu system, there is nothing you could ask of a portable that isn’t in the iHP-100. This is something iRiver is famous for, and the company didn’t hold back with the iHP-100.

Another big draw is that the iHP-100 shows up as a generic hard drive. You don’t need any software or drivers; you simply drag and drop.

Unfortunately, the very things that make this such an impressive device also make it the most expensive in the shootout. Make no mistake: This is the Starship Enterprise of hard drive portables. However, you pay out the a** for it.

The iHP-100 is my daily player. And if you aren’t on a budget, then I recommend it without reservation. However, the price will turn many people off.”

Posted by reviews on October 19, 2003 at 3:02 PM (PDT)

36

“reviews”: maybe you should start a “iHP-100-lounge.com”

I just read the reviews, and they do make a strong point. But I think it goes for most iPod fans when I say that iPod is still the best player around, simply because the design of it kicks ###. Seriously (and I cannot stress this enough), who wants to own such ugly piece of hardware like the Nomad Zen or iRiver Hp-100? I would pay $400 to NOT own such ugly devices…

AND the reviewer (above) obviously isn’t an audiophile, because anybody with a common sense knows that mp3s in terms of sound quality is always a compromise.

Call it fetish or whatever, you’ll be the Toyota-owner trying to pursuade a bunch of BMW drivers that your car is better.

Posted by SlutMonkey on October 19, 2003 at 3:16 PM (PDT)