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Obama Calls Today's Ubiquitous Gadgets and Information "a Distraction"
zaphod was one of several readers unhappy with the sentiment expressed in President Obama's graduation address to the students of Virginia's Hampton University, writing: "According to Obama, 'information becomes a distraction' when it comes to iPads, the Xbox, etc. (All items he admits not knowing how to use.) He's basically saying we are getting too much information too quickly, and from 'unreliable sources.' Of course, he's referring to talk radio, blogs and other mediums that tend to disagree with his political views."
CNET has a slightly different, less critical reaction, focusing on the differences among the actual devices named; they note that the Xbox is not an iPad.
who can't let go of his smartphone.
It's always "aliens have invaded", or "nuke goes off in major city", or "Duke Nukem is still not available"...
Hey, for once I agree with St. Obama. I realize that geeks are never going to admit it, but there is a price for our geekery. How many of us are distracted, and have short attention spans. Let's take a moment to think about...
Hey look... an ipad....
W
But that's because obama was the one saying it, so it was ok. Frankly, all this information makes me scared and confused. I wish they would start a department of truth in the government to tell me what I should be thinking.
I have mod points. The reign of terror begins now.
You're ignoring the good things President Obama has done:
* Gitmo closed
* Iraq War ended
* Afghan War ended
* Patriot Act is gone
* Full employment
* Deficit reduced
* End of partisan politics
* No lobbyists in his administration
* Fast action on Oil Spill
Did he announce this using twitter?
The ducks in the bathroom are not mine. [http://www.27bslash6.com]
YES, you right-wing liberal commie Christian clod!
I gotta run and get my popcorn for the 'discussions' on this topic. Let the political ego nukes fly!
There are no loopholes. It's either legal or it's not.
Double plus good.
I'm assuming you've read 1984?
This is /. so no, I haven't read anything except the summary of that book, and quite frankly, I'm going to have say I was quite disappointed that it was nothing like the Apple ad it was based on. Go figure.
Why do I never have mod point when I really need them?
YMMD!
It just means he knows what he's talking about.
"Obama is just encouraging the graduates to do something with their lives instead of twittering them away."
Fixed that for you.
JAGga.me ----> Producing video games addressing emotional health and wellness issues affecting teens.
Yeah that big whoosh of air came all the way from the Amazon... the book just disappeared.
“He’s not deformed, he’s just drunk!”
Right. An XBox is harmless entertainment, whereas a Blackberry is digital crack.
(Caveat: Some are serious, some are tongue-in-cheek. You decide.)
Gitmo Closed:
Solution: Building a superprison for some place to put all those Gitmites.
Desire: Give fair trials to the people captured and release those illegally detained so they can move forward and become proper terrorists.
Iraq War ended:
Solution: Pull out many of our troops but leave our main base there.
Desire: Pull out completely from a stable Iraqi government with contracts in place for oil benefits to the US.
Afghan War ended:
Solution: Keep fighting people in Afghan.
Desire: Pull out completely from a stable Afghani government that allows women equal rights with men.
Patriot Act gone:
Solution: Leave it alone.
Desire: Completely toss it in the garbage and write something that isn't an offense to the American perception of freedom.
Full Employment:
Solution: Obamabucks to infrastructure construction, education, etc.
Desire: Regulation on greed so people will trust investing and loaning again.
Deficit Reduced:
Solution: Increase Deficit
Desire: Reduce deficit...but really, we're all one big happy world and my debt it your debt.
End of Partisan Politics:
Solution: Elect a president certain to have the Republican party pee their pants for the next 4 years.
Desire: Limit terms of House and Senate; regulate lobbyists; watchdogs on kickbacks.
No lobbyists in his administration:
Solution: Lobbyists are like "Special Interests" -- they serve a purpose.
Desire: Government should not be decided by the largest pocket book.
Fast action on oil spill:
Solution: Act fairly quickly after the fact.
Desire: Actually enforce safety regulations so this stuff can't happen. If it isn't safe, it doesn't operate.
Please post your current location so we can all get there.
It must be awesome having a persecution complex so strong that the Imperial March from Star Wars plays in your head whenever you see Obama on TV.
Someone has to balance out the Hallelujah Chorus hearers =)
Your brain is not a computer.