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5 Reasons Why "X reasons why Y Z" lists are Stupid.
1) Biased.
These lists are almost always made by people who love the item so much they feel compelled to write a list on how it's superior; or inferior to others. Almost always they're filled with biased comments with no backing or comments made to get people to think the product is flawless (Also with no backing). (Refer to 10 Reasons why MACS Suck)
2) Incorrect.
Relevant to point 1, The (most of the time) biased comments are incorrect from the Mac's cant right click to Dells are Overpriced. Incorrect statements made by people who don't do their research or haven't experienced the product/item their making a hate list.
(Refer to 10 Reasons why MACS suck)
The pro list's are just as bad. People look over the downsides to each product to provide a list to people that is only good. Nothing is perfect, don't act like it.
3) Self-Satisfaction
So you have a Mac. And you like it. Congratulations! So you have a Mac. And you dislike it. Congratulations! People don't generally care; sure people might think it's a good thing you like it, but generally they don't mind if you dislike it.
In my mind; Making these lists means your feeding that little niggling thought in the back of you're head that's saying "Oh well maybe it's not as good as i think it is.." or "It's better than what you're trying to believe"; Trying to quell the voices with some written testimony placed somewhere where it can be read by others (That you probably don't know) to make you feel better.
4) X CAN DO Y BETTER THAN Z
Urm.. so what? Some people might not do Y. Might not be able to afford a Z. (Or an X for that matter). If people want to do Y; Then they can choose what platform Y is on, if it's an X, It does it, If its a Z, it still does, it but slightly better than X (Which can be subjective to variations of Y.).
5) Choice.
No matter what people say in these stupid lists; People will do WHATEVER THEY WANT. They won't take your advice if they don't want to, and if their smart they will double check everything you say to make sure it's all true. (Which most of the time it wont be; refer again to 10 Reasons why MACS Suck)
If people choose to take you're advice seriously without any research or confirmation then theirs something wrong with them. Always, Always, ALWAYS check what people say on the internet. Try it yourself if possible.
I understand the irony that I'm posting a list on the reasons why I hate this type of list; but I thought it might get my message across.
Please note for this, this list does NOT include "Top X lists on using Y"; Their sometimes very helpful and filled with personal advice from people on using the product, in order to help others have a better time. (One of my favorite types of people).
I realize I reference This post a lot; but It was a very good example of everything I hated in this list.
Thanks for Reading! Feel free to leave angry comments about how I'm an idiot for not taking other peoples hate rants seriously! But I felt that this had be put out there eventually, so I figured I'd do it.
David.
(As an after-note; I stumbled across "10 reasons why MACS suck" by accident. I thought he was talking about MAC Addresses; and got interested in why they sucked. MAC =/= Mac.)
These lists are almost always made by people who love the item so much they feel compelled to write a list on how it's superior; or inferior to others. Almost always they're filled with biased comments with no backing or comments made to get people to think the product is flawless (Also with no backing). (Refer to 10 Reasons why MACS Suck)
2) Incorrect.
Relevant to point 1, The (most of the time) biased comments are incorrect from the Mac's cant right click to Dells are Overpriced. Incorrect statements made by people who don't do their research or haven't experienced the product/item their making a hate list.
(Refer to 10 Reasons why MACS suck)
The pro list's are just as bad. People look over the downsides to each product to provide a list to people that is only good. Nothing is perfect, don't act like it.
3) Self-Satisfaction
So you have a Mac. And you like it. Congratulations! So you have a Mac. And you dislike it. Congratulations! People don't generally care; sure people might think it's a good thing you like it, but generally they don't mind if you dislike it.
In my mind; Making these lists means your feeding that little niggling thought in the back of you're head that's saying "Oh well maybe it's not as good as i think it is.." or "It's better than what you're trying to believe"; Trying to quell the voices with some written testimony placed somewhere where it can be read by others (That you probably don't know) to make you feel better.
4) X CAN DO Y BETTER THAN Z
Urm.. so what? Some people might not do Y. Might not be able to afford a Z. (Or an X for that matter). If people want to do Y; Then they can choose what platform Y is on, if it's an X, It does it, If its a Z, it still does, it but slightly better than X (Which can be subjective to variations of Y.).
5) Choice.
No matter what people say in these stupid lists; People will do WHATEVER THEY WANT. They won't take your advice if they don't want to, and if their smart they will double check everything you say to make sure it's all true. (Which most of the time it wont be; refer again to 10 Reasons why MACS Suck)
If people choose to take you're advice seriously without any research or confirmation then theirs something wrong with them. Always, Always, ALWAYS check what people say on the internet. Try it yourself if possible.
I understand the irony that I'm posting a list on the reasons why I hate this type of list; but I thought it might get my message across.
Please note for this, this list does NOT include "Top X lists on using Y"; Their sometimes very helpful and filled with personal advice from people on using the product, in order to help others have a better time. (One of my favorite types of people).
I realize I reference This post a lot; but It was a very good example of everything I hated in this list.
Thanks for Reading! Feel free to leave angry comments about how I'm an idiot for not taking other peoples hate rants seriously! But I felt that this had be put out there eventually, so I figured I'd do it.
David.
(As an after-note; I stumbled across "10 reasons why MACS suck" by accident. I thought he was talking about MAC Addresses; and got interested in why they sucked. MAC =/= Mac.)
Tags: fractured, logic, rants, reasons
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Adria Richards on -
I agree that many lists are biased. The ones that include, "Suck", "Worst", "Hate" are ones I steer clear of.
On my show, I focus on the positives, do entire shows about one item so I'm not comparing it or point out all the similarities. I did a comparison of fanatical people in software, religion and poltics...that was fun!
I pitch the perspective first so people understand the angle; "This is for business owners who like to roll up their sleeves". I did one comparing Wordpress to Joomla from the point of view where someone doesn't have much website development experience and just wanted to be able to update their own site through a Content Management System.
Opinions are like a**holes, everyone's got one, right?
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Permalink Reply by David Myers on -
oops? Did i spell that wrong.. My bad!
Fixed it :)
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Permalink Reply by Jon Sheline on -
You're pretty correct in the futility of the battle between Mac Heads and Windows Fanboys.
However, it's equally futile to rail against the war...because it has long since become an indelible and historical internet/computer meme and I doubt it's going to disappear as long as there are Macs and Windows PCs.
But it does feel good to vent, doesn't it?
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Permalink Reply by David Myers on
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It does :) I doubt the war between the PC and Mac users will ever end. I just hope people choose what's good for them and move on.
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Permalink Reply by JavaGuy147 on -
haha i love this post, because you are describing why "X reasons why Y Z" lists are stupid in a "X reasons why Y Z" form! haha. very sorta contradictory (yet peculiarly NOT hypocritical) and ironic!
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Permalink Reply by Nathanael on -
OMG You're sooooo stupid I can't believe you made this list lol jk :) I agree with everything
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Permalink Reply by Zagorath on -
I agree totally! I hate it when I come across lists like the very one mentioned in the article (I came across it yesterday, vainly hoping it would have some valid points).
Haha that was very confusing to read at parts, especially point number 4. I had to read over it a number of times to understand it, very funny :P
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Permalink Reply by David Myers on
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I confused myself with number 4..
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Permalink Reply by Shtanto on -
It's the Internet though. Surely you've come to expect ill informed opinion and personally applicified diatribe posited across a vastly broad range of topics, usually resulting in a low quality post? Pay no heed, put down your PDA, iPhone, Blackberry, delete your twitter account and go meet some friends at the movies :)
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Permalink Reply by John Silver on -
It is human nature to share experiences and opinions stop being so critical. X(
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Permalink Reply by David Myers on
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sharing experiences and opinions is fine. but why (Stealing a word from you) critically comparing it to, better or worse than something else.
For example, Pascal is better than Linux. it's easier to install a program using pascal language, and easier to write code. But you cant compare them because they're two different things.
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