Has Apple jumped the shark?
Has Apple jumped the shark? The phrase ‘jumping the shark’ comes from an episode of the sitcom Happy Days, in which the Fonz jumps a shark. The phrase means, run out of ideas.
There’s a new Apple computer out, just like there’s another one always around the corner. Apple are an exceptionally successful billion dollar company, for whom my opinion will be less than worthless. This new computer is getting some criticism as it is very expensive, is not aesthetically pleasing (the cheese grater), and doesn’t come with the $1000 stand for the monitor.
I’m a graphic designer, one of our ‘traits’ is the love of all, or most things, Apple. Not all graphic designers, but a lot of us. Historically in the earlier, less successful Apple years, it was graphic designers that kept the computer selling part of Apple going.
Graphic designers are in the most part aesthetics driven, so it’s natural our tribe was drawn to the aesthetically pleasing and user friendly Mac.
I’m just me, just one graphic designer, I am writing this on my fourth Mac in over twenty years. Number three is still in use, and is sitting next to me, as is a very expensive Apple iPhone. But it will be my last iPhone. Possibly my last Apple product.
It struck me I’d paid a ridiculous amount of money for a telephone with a nice, but not professional camera on it. It didn’t sit well with me. Despite not being my first iPhone. I’m a grown up, I made the choice to purchase it, but after the event, I’ve regretted the purchase.
In a world facing a climate catastrophe, where bankers are pretty much universally loathed, hearing that Apple were introducing banking was also an eye opener.
In this world of finite resources, I can’t really justify any of this anymore. I’m not stamping my foot, I don’t for a second think Apple would care. But sometimes what we as individuals feel, is in fact something quite a lot of others feel.
Apple’s brand means as much to me now as Starbucks or Amazon. If you lose the designers Apple, I’d say you are in serious trouble. And releasing an exceptionally big monitor with a $1000 stand, is so not what the world, or just graphic designers need.
I live in Denmark, there was an election here last week. There was a huge change in how pretty much every political party presented itself. Desperate to show their environment credentials. Thankfully Greta Thunberg has awoken something enormous.
Everything has it’s time.
