-
In a normal world, writing favorably about Apple would just be common sense, as the company is doing pretty well. In this world it makes you a “fanboy.”
…The reason people like Siegler and Gruber and this furry beast so often write favorably about Apple is because the company is, by every measure, astoundingly and almost unprecedentedly successful. That should be obvious. In fact, it should be weird to be obsessively writing about the company’s flaws.
—
The Macalope Weekly: Gotta know when to hold ‘em, know when to fold ‘em | Macworld
Certainly one of best Macalope Weeklies in recent memory (they’re all delightful).
I’ve always felt that the term ‘fanboy’ doesn’t belong in any conversation, if it wasn’t so demeaning it would be rather superfluous. Yet it’s become ubiquitous just about everywhere you’ll find people commenting.
I understand, it’s fun to invalidate people you disagree with by dismissing them as fanboys. However, the truth is that it demeans not only the target but also readers and insulter alike.
Unfortunately, not everything fits into a narrowly defined view of black and white (and that’s no more true just because it’s the internet). To unfairly dismiss a writer’s integrity by projecting a 1-bit worldview upon them usually reflects far more strongly on your own.
I know and respect a lot of professional writers, many of them write for Apple centric publications. Not one of them doesn’t take the responsibility to be fair — if not impartial — very seriously. If you pay attention, each will criticize Apple and praise Microsoft or Google when it’s appropriate.
Yes, they are biased, we all are, but that responsibility is what separates ‘fanboys’ from professionals. We’re all adults here.
(The Zune is still the best media player I’ve ever owned and Google Reader? It’s the only act in the game…)
-
christopherdwhite posted this
