Obama Says iPad, iPod, Xbox, PS3 are Distractions

[pyroghozt]

There is far less misinformation now than there was in the past, with net neutrality and blogging, videos, forums and online debating. News on National TV is way more Bias and Propaganda filled than it can be on the internet. Even though in some cases forum junkies tend to have a mob mentality and all jump onto the same bandwagon. By some cases I mean the console r*tards at Kotaku, oops I said it. Now I am too lazy to hit the backspace button.

Obama does have a point to an extent though, Just the other day both Toms and Kotaku had a completely mistranslated report I think they got from the BBC? About a child who killed his brother.There is a lot of good information on the web but it really helps to check the source first.

Anyway I still feel that PC enthusiasts tend to be much more informed than the average joe who sits on his couch with a beer watching national news after a long days work.

That being said those before mentioned devices are aimed at technophobes and I haven't even used them before to get information? So I don't really know what kind of misinformation Obama is actually referring to.

Sigh if only I could get my posts organized and in point form ADHD FTL.

 

[nforce4max]

http/www.youtube.com/watch?v=IxWRYMs0-hE

Billy Mays Interviews Obama

 

[sumpm1]

Obama's statement is not so simple to dismiss. There are many ways to look at electronic entertainment, as a revenue source, as entertainment... But who REALLY benefits from constantly being "entertained" by your smart phone and all the apps, cell phone and texting, mp3 player, handheld gaming system, World of Warcraft, xbox or ps3...?

The real question is, is the quality of our culture IMPROVED or WORSENED by their usage?

I am a high school math teacher. I and other teachers could EASILY argue that culture (beginning at a young age) has WORSENED in only the last decade, since kids are exposed to much more mature and intense video games, and kids feel the NEED to be spoiled with the newest devices. The culture is suffering badly.

There is no longer an interest in academics that will improve our society. Every student thinks that either a computer or cell phone can do everything that they need to figure out. And even the WORST kids have EVERYTHING... So the suffering culture is also from the absence of parental involvement, which these devices also contribute to, when parents get wrapped up in their "entertainment."

It's hard to explain, but I can surely tell you that many countries, whose children have much fewer privileges than ours, are producing a more valuable young student after graduation; a more respectful, and respectable citizen than our high school graduates.

If you disagree with me somehow, please be specific in explaining what you disagree with.

 

[zaam]

Yeah, they are distractions, and I'm totally fine with that fact. What's life without a little bit on nonsense and fun? I know they're toys and I don't mind.

It's when you take them too seriously and they become the center of your universe, now THAT'S when you know you have a problem.

 

[aaron686]

Coming from the guy who has to get his blackberry occasionally confiscated due to his obsessiveness, he may see that as being work related but it is indeed a "distraction". Hes gotta realize that people don't smoke paperwork-crack like him, behind a desk all day. People have lives to enjoy.

 

[killbits]

I love Obama but I only agree with 75% of what he said. full disclosure, I play a shiiiiitload of PC games but I really hate consoles and thats what the president was dissing on so I have to side with him lol! It's true, there is absolutely nothing productive you can do with an xbox or a playstation.

However, I use my iPhone to stay educated and knowledgeable on current events and I couldn't live without it. It absolutely makes my life better and I dont see it as a "distraction" because without it I would be less productive, not more. (i know he said iPod and iPad in his speech but you can infer he meant iphones as well.)

The problem with all the constant media spin on every little thing that happens in the world is that people are sheep. They believe whatever the bald guy on tv tells them to believe. You just have to be smart about who you listen to, and stay the hell away from Fox News.

 

[killbits]

I love Obama but I only agree with 75% of what he said. full disclosure, I play a shiiiiitload of PC games but I really hate consoles and thats what the president was dissing on so I have to side with him lol! It's true, there is absolutely nothing productive you can do with an xbox or a playstation.

However, I use my iPhone to stay educated and knowledgeable on current events and I couldn't live without it. It absolutely makes my life better and I dont see it as a "distraction" because without it I would be less productive, not more. (i know he said iPod and iPad in his speech but you can infer he meant iphones as well.)


The problem with all the constant media spin on every little thing that happens in the world is that people are sheep. They believe whatever the bald guy on tv tells them to believe. You just have to be smart about who you listen to, and stay the hell away from Fox News.

 

[alextheblue]

[citation][nom]Sabiancym[/nom]He's saying that with all the made up stuff posted on the internet, information is no longer about fact, but about entertainment and the story about the story.Therefore this crap is a distraction from the actual truth.[/citation]Oh, kind of like every word that leaves his mouth?

 

[zachary k]

space program? who needs that.
iphones, Xboxes and PS3s? useless.
cartoons, movies and sports cars, your next!
no distractions, just work. work for the great USSR!!!

 

[matt87_50]

he is exactly right.

there is nothing wrong with entertainment. but the reality is that these devices that seem to be taking over the whole world are only for that purpose. especially the ipad, famously "a netbook, but just for media consumption", you aren't going to cure cancer with any of them

 

[billj214]

Who can really resist on posting to this article...so much to say!

Obama making more comments about things he knows nothing about.
Obama trying to play on our fears so he can take more control.
Obama planning to spend more money on things we don't need.

What happened to a free society where the outcome is based on real success and failure not government funded failures!

Todays Democrats IMO are corrupt don't like anyones opinion but their own!

 

[decrypted]

I think he didn't name the Wii because he got one for his kids.

For games and whatnot being a distraction goes to show how out-of-touch the government is with modern society. There are far too many currently in power that do not understand the modern multi-tasking, entertainment, and social networking generation. I would think he would be glad for the "distractions", so that we didn't notice all of the so called "truth" (aka BS!) that the government spits out.

 

[The_Trutherizer]

Since when has the president of the US lost his right to freedom of expression? Obama is a hard working type of guy who can't afford distractions. I find his comment completely inline with his character. Hell my dad would say the same thing. I see nothing wrong with it. I mean would you rather Obama played games on his iTouch all day?

 

[boogalooelectric]

Some of you guys who posted things like:

"Obama making more comments about things he knows nothing about.
Obama trying to play on our fears so he can take more control.
Obama planning to spend more money on things we don't need."

Or:
"Here it comes...fines for using devices that help you out or provide fun and enjoyment...just watch and see...hey maybe they can lump it with my credit card's 7% increase so I can pay them together. This guy is getting under my skin."

Or:

"fucking idiot of a president...these distractions is what keep up the american economy. Mr. PRESIDENT YOUR CELL PHONE IS A FREAKING DISTRACTION."

The people who posted these comments are just too stupid to live, maybe if you dumb asses turned off your damn smartphone's once in a while you would have the brain power to realize how stupid you sound.

 

[Yoder54]

[citation][nom]jellico[/nom]You asked for it, so here it is...[/citation]

So what far right site did you pull the disinformation from? The first one I visited had some great stuff on how Obama is not a native American. You list is not from credible sources.

It appears that the far right has invaded Tom's...such a pity.

 

[pawntec]

[citation][nom]cbrei10213[/nom]Steve Jobs is gonna make Obama appologize to apple, just wait. That will be the begining of Jobs takeover, when the president submits to it.[/citation]
one word skynet!

 

[pawntec]

[citation][nom]billj214[/nom]Who can really resist on posting to this article...so much to say! Obama making more comments about things he knows nothing about.Obama trying to play on our fears so he can take more control.Obama planning to spend more money on things we don't need.What happened to a free society where the outcome is based on real success and failure not government funded failures! Todays Democrats IMO are corrupt don't like anyones opinion but their own![/citation]

very very true with all gov.

 

[Yoder54]

[citation][nom]billj214[/nom]Who can really resist on posting to this article...so much to say! Obama making more comments about things he knows nothing about.Obama trying to play on our fears so he can take more control.Obama planning to spend more money on things we don't need.What happened to a free society where the outcome is based on real success and failure not government funded failures! Todays Democrats IMO are corrupt don't like anyones opinion but their own![/citation]

Sure thing buddy boy. The Republicans...the Party of NO...has done so much for us. GW was just a stellar example of leadership, and did wonders for our economy...you do remember him. Besides, aren't these Republican's who are getting nailed with the sex scandals, etc. Here is a list of just some of their improprieties: I am Bad We won't look at their political failures.

Can you name a Republican who like an opinion other than his/her own...Beck, Coulter, Bimbo, FOX, etc., come to mind. Fact is, it is easy to perceive most politicians as being corrupt...but don't generalize to a party of citizens, because you will always be wrong when you make broad generalizations.

You accuse Obama of playing on the fears of people. Excuse me. What was the health bill debate all about: death panels, jail time, won't be able to choose own doctor, etc. These were all fabricated by the far right.

Obama makes comments about something he knows nothing about? Are you saying we have to be experts on a product, idea, perception before we can state an opinion? Is this freedom of speech? If the President can't freely state his opinion, then who can? What is the big deal?

Spending more money on things we don't need? You mean trying to fix the broken economy that he inherited? You mean our fight against terror?...He is the first President to take it to the freaks in the Middle East, and we may actually see some real results for a change. Education? Health care? Repairing the America's crumbling infrastructure? What is it that we do not need?

 

[billj214]

Yoder54,

Spending: bailouts where companies filed bankruptcy anyway, global warming bills which is cyclical and proven false by many experts. Also the 40k the government gave me for my solar system instead of putting it towards better things, I didn't need it but why not since it was in the stimulus package and I am paying for it anyway!

Obama's opinions: He has more comments on things that are pre-mature without facts, example: The police officer who was accused of harassing his college professor? He was wrong and never admitted it. Or the AZ law for immigration where there is a real problem with ILLEGAL people entering the country by the thousands which AZ pays for them to go to school and healthcare. No one can understand the reality of the problem of immigration where on every corner in each town there are dozens of illegals looking for work and legal immigrants or locals cant find work.

Health care: Another way for Government to have more control, you wont be able to choose if you get a life saving procedure or if you get to live or die based on your age, not fabricated.

Also IMO Government officials put the welfare of the companies who put them in office before the people they represent. Every bailout, stimulus and healthcare bill had so many perks for companies and states which tripled the costs. Example: If Intel was being sued by the government for bad business practices by giving incentives to companies for only using their products isn't that fair business and what Coke, Pepsi and others do anyway? Now the government is doing the same thing by offering certain states millions just to obtain a single vote on healthcare?

Again this is how I see it and as for GWB I would rather not comment since that was not the original topic, another story and sex scandals? It is a personal matter not a political fiasco, and not something you should mention since you may remember Clinton?

 

[Yoder54]

[citation][nom]billj214[/nom]Obama's opinions: He has more comments on things that are pre-mature without facts...[/citation]
That may be true, but GW wins the grand prize. The problem is that when you are in a high-profile position, people want you to comment on everything as soon as it happens. They will be errors, but what US President is without such faults?


[citation][nom]billj214[/nom]Health care: Another way for Government to have more control, you wont be able to choose if you get a life saving procedure or if you get to live or die based on your age, not fabricated.[/citation]

Hogwash. Show me the text of the specific legislation stating such. The problem with this line of thinking (more like fear tactics) is that for the government to do such is a blatant violation of discrimination laws.


[citation][nom]billj214[/nom]... as for GWB I would rather not comment since that was not the original topic, another story and sex scandals? It is a personal matter not a political fiasco, and not something you should mention since you may remember Clinton?[/citation]

Hmm...it seems the article was discussing the President's point of view on technology, and then we get to read comments on how he is this and that. Seems like most of the thread has deviated from the original content of the article, and this includes discussions on health care, immigration reform, bailouts, etc. So why the sudden change of heart? If I remember they did go after Clinton and what he did privately, and even impeached him. Why is it not fair to do the same to the very Republican's who wanted Clinton's head. What is good for one, should be good for all...