I was tipped off about an article written over at ecoustics.com entitled "Why Women Don't Care About HDTV?"
I'm not sure if it's supposed to be ironic, or sarcastic, or satirical, but as it seems to have conformed to the stereotype of men and women, I'll chauvinistically say that if it had been written by a man, that man could find himself in hot water.
Let's take a look...
Apparently the reasons why women don't care about HDTV are as follows (you can read the in-depth reasoning here):
1. Technology is complicated
Yes, because we all know that men are so much more intelligent than women, right? That must be it. If anything, the technology gap is between old and young, not male and female.
"This can prove challenging for the tech-savvy, let alone for the home theatre amateur -- which most women are."
And most men, let's be honest.
2. Women care about content
"not picture and sound quality".
I thought the picture and sound quality was an inclusive part of content? What this implies is that women will put up with a substandard picture quality to watch only the best programmes on, whereas men will watch anything so long as it's in 1080p, Dolby Digital? Rubbish!
3. Social Comparison Doesn't Apply
Because women read Vogue, not Sound & Vision magazine. Apparently women don't brag about their latest HDTV. You know, the last time I had a conversation with some male friends, we didn't brag about technology either. The closest we got was one fitness nut saying he'd really like a pair of iPod Nikes.
"They like to show off clothes, shoes, bags, and jewelry since these are status symbols that matter to them."
Total stereotype again. Maybe in the circles the author mixes in, but not true for all women. Believe me.
4. It's Expensive
Again, why is this the exclusive domain of women? The argument is that the TV and HD equipment is worth a whole season's clothing budget.
I would've thought in our credit-led, buy it now society, there'd be room for both, but let's reverse the stereotype. Yeah, that new TV is a whole year's drinking budget...
"Women will convert consumer electronics prices into shoes and bags, while men will do the opposite. Each will think the other is crazy. It's easiest just to accept it."
Oh please. I am really hoping this article is ironic...
5. The guys will figure it out
Yeah! Back to the cave! Or the kitchen sink. Why bother to figure stuff out when there's a bloke around to sort it?
"If you think this is unfair, remember that 47% of men's clothing is purchased by women"
What on earth has that got to do with anything? I thought women (and men) were becoming more independent and didn't need men any more? Oh dear, is that a stereotype?
Well, the article makes for an entertaining look at the stereotypes - best not to be taken seriously, IMO. It manages to insult a large proportion of men and women in one go - well done!
What do you think?
Total rubbish.
My wife loves HDTV, she can watch the sexy men on Lost and Torchwood in HD. She loves the little animals on Planet Earth and "her baby" takes up 1/4 of the footprint of the old 28" CRT that served as its predecessor.
Matt
I just read the full article and I think it's shocking that these stereotypes are still portrayed in such feeble arguments. You could hope it's tongue in cheek but I have the awful feeling Tatjana Mitchell beleives what she is saying. Very demeaning, rude and slightly pathetic.
The reason a lot of women are not interested in HDTV is that you dont need HDTV to watch soaps !!!
In my experience, the article is mostly correct. Given that it's written by a woman, I don't really see how you can argue with it! Most women couldn't give a monkey's about technology in general for many of the reasons listed in the article.
If you're a man and you think it's insulting to women, then you've obviously been brainwashed by the PC thought police. There *are* differences between men and women; it doesn't mean either sex is better, they're just different.
Let's remember that this article is generalising about the *majority* of women, not individuals. I'm sure we all know a woman who finds technology fascinating, but for every one you show me I can give you the name of 10 who don't care.
Wonderfully non-stereotyping defence, thank you! :) xx
As one of the first adopters of the Sky HD box in the UK, I for one can vouch for the article being utter tosh!!!
In fact there was an article on BBC news a few nights ago about the large electrical corporations targetting female consumers with their new products for the very reason that women want high tech equipment.
Actually I think article is mostly correct too. Everyone, men and women, can appreciate difference between good hi def picture when next to SD picture. However, men are more keen to get equipment set up correctly IMHO. Also, agree on content - most women would rather watch Indochine on VHS than Adam Sandler in hi def - hell, so would I! When are people going to learn? Within reasonable limits: content first, display quality second. PQ and sound quality are *not* part of artistic content. There is some decent HD material out there but most is hollywood rubbish - how many art house hi def channels are there?