Controversy About Apple's "What's a Computer?" Ad

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Apple's upbeat "What's a Computer?" commercial isn't winning a lot of fans. The long version on YouTube shows a child using an iPad to video chat with a friend, send a picture, type a paper, take a picture, pay for food, draw, and read a comic book. When asked by a woman we assume is the mother, "What you doing on your computer?," the child responds, "What's a computer?"

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Cute? Many people think not. According to a Business Insider article, some find the ad "infuriating."

Discussion:

  • What did Apple hope to accomplish with this ad? To what extent did the company achieve its purpose?
  • We might say this is a lesson in humility for Apple. How do you see it?
  • Why do you think people are so angry about it?