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A Hypothesis On Segway Hate
theodp writes "Admit it, IT is ingenious. Also, IT is surprisingly effective for certain uses, including real cops and mall cops. And if you tried IT, you probably smiled to yourself. So why all the Segway hate? Paul Graham looks into The Trouble with the Segway and offers a hypothesis about what prompts people to shout abuse at Segway riders: 'You look smug. You don't seem to be working hard enough.' Not that someone riding a motorcycle is working any harder, adds Graham, but because he's sitting astride it, he appears to be making an effort. When you're riding a Segway you're just standing there. Make a version that doesn't look so easy for the rider — perhaps resembling skateboards or bicycles — and Segway just might capture more of the market they hoped to reach."
I don't hate it. I just don't see the point. It seems to try to fill a convenience gap somewhere between walking on one end and bicycles or scooters on the other. At least for me there's simply no gap there to fill.
Trust the Computer. The Computer is your friend.
And now when it failed we have that idiotic attempt at astroturfing. Come one, "Segway hate"? It could only happen if someone actually used that thing.
Next on Slashdot: reports of overwhelming Zune hate. The reason that prompts people to shout abuse is "they look smug and cool and trendy. iPod crowd just can't stand it".
Its not easy to begin with but you don't really need to worry about banging your head, the natural movement as soon as you start to totter is to just step off onto your feet and I've never heard of falling to the ground. I think probably because your hands are not holding on (when you panic learning on a bicycle, your hands will grip tighter which is exactly the wrong thing to do as it focuses your weight above the centre of gravity :). Shin guards are definitely a good idea though..
I used to ride a unicycle a couple of miles to work and just pushed it under my desk when I got there. Going up hills is ridiculously easy (the steeper the better you can zip right past bicyclists) but going downhill can be hard on the legs unless you get good enough to freewheel (foot on tyre as brake). If you want to get good, get a smaller wheel and find a unicycle hockey group to join.. (20" is maneuverable but 26" would be better for commuting)
That only explains why we don't all get one, not why we despise those that do.
Personally I think it's because it just looks silly / "gay". Some, like TFA, might argue that this is the result of intrinsic aspects of its design. I suspect that it is a more than sufficient combination that
A) We are not used to seeing it
and
B) It does not, unlike, say a motorcycle, exude power to counterbalance that unfamiliarity.
I believe if the regular bike was introduced today, reactions would be much the same.
sudo ergo sum
Apart from being insanely expensive you can't ride it legally in most places, neither on the sidewalk nor on the street. And, oh - did I mention expensive? Nah, it's not that, it's how it makes you look...
Oh yeah, don't forget the incredible hype before the thing even came out. You know, how It was going to change the way cities were designed and It was the most revolutionary thing since the invention of the wheel. Yeah, it must be how it makes the rider look. /s
People hate the Segway because of the over the top, ridiculous pre-release marketing. The Segway is an interesting device, but it is a niche market. It is not a "world changing" device.
The truth is that all men having power ought to be mistrusted. James Madison
No, it's not an effect of the hate, its an effect of the fact that you're not generally allowed to drive motorized vehicles on the sidewalk, and driving something whose top speed is 12 mph in the street isn't safe.