Are YOU rich?

So, Fox News has an online article I was sent by a "good friend" - i.e. the boyfriend. The WONDERFUL, HANDSOME, LOVING, boyfriend I am so fortunate to have!

Seeing as how he just finished his anthropology minor (high-five!) - which I'm sure will come in very handy while he's playing the guitar, drums, or finishing up his journalism major which he doesn't even want - he thought I should blog about the article.

So I am.

The article states that Apple has come out with a new product - an 'I am Rich' screen saver for a person's iPod touch or iPhone. It costs $999.99 - and that's all it is, a screen saver of a little glowing red jewel which appears on the product to "always reminds you (and others when you show it to them) that you were able to afford this. It's a work of art with no hidden function at all".

WTF?

Also, my fair friends, it is not available in the U.S.

Here's the question my WONDERFUL, CARING, LOVING, HANDSOME, boyfriend posed to me:
What does it mean for society that the product featured in this story exists?

I'll add onto that question, since I'm a U.S. citizen, what does that mean for the society in which the product featured in this story DOESN'T exist?

Both answers suck.

It means, for the societies in which this application IS offered:
a) Apple thinks: if you DO have a shit-ton of money, that you're too stupid to always remember that, so now you CAN remember it whenever you look down at your super-expensive Mp3 and/or cell phone. That way, when you're in Harrods and you see 27 different pairs of Pravda and Jimmy Choos you think you ABSOLUTELY NEED, but think, "Damnit, it would be so expensive to buy all of them," - your problem is solved!
Just glance at your cell whenever you're in that situation and think "Oh yeah! I have a crap binge of a huge bank account - because I just spent enough money to feed a third world country for a month on a retarded-looking screen saver for my friggin' PHONE - and can afford ALL these shoes, PLUS 5 new gas-guzzling American-made SUVs to run over all those stupid bicycle-riders!"
b) If you're one of those people who DOES purchase the product you're a self-centered, arrogant ass. Period. And Apple was right - YOU ARE STUPID. Feed people a bunch of rice instead, OK?
c) Anyone, who unfortunately doesn't have a thousand bucks to drop on a dumb image, won't care about it. They can't afford it, THEY know it's stupid because they know the value of a buck since they're working full-time and trying to pay rent, and don't give a flying f**k about it.
Also, these people will lose a lot of respect for Apple, if they even care.
AND, they probably WON'T care about it, since they'll never even see one, because they're not going to be glancing at the screen saver of some one's dumb phone on the train or something - because the people who are dumb enough to purchase a piece of crap application like that "just to let the world know they're rich" will definitely not be riding the train to work. Guaranteed.

It means, for the societies in which this is NOT offered (i.e. the U.S.):
Maybe there's something wrong with their economy, and the application won't do well because there aren't enough rich people to buy it? Anyone? Bueller? Yes? Bush. **Oops! did I write that out loud?! (Obama O8!)**

Furthermore, it's odd... published by Forbes on April, 30 2008 - THIS YEAR - stated that the U.S. had the most cities in their Top 10 list of Cities for Billionaires. New York, L.A., Dallas and San Fransisco. But that's just billionaires. So really, it's not odd at all. Billionaires don't become billionaires by being stupid. And only stupid people would buy this application.

Maybe Apple should offer it to Paris Hilton exclusively. "Thanks white-haired Apple man, I guess this means I'm rich! Good thing I've got something to remind me of that now. I endorse this product, because, I think it's hot." Then, when she's sitting in her prison cell, the cop holding onto her personal possessions can know that she's rich - not because she's Paris Hilton, but because he can see her screen saver on her phone. Way to go everyone.

Russia's Moscow made the #1 city for billionaires... which is possibly connected to NPR's question on 'Wait, wait, don't tell me' show last Saturday "What is the most expensive city to visit in the world?" Moscow. And you want to know why? Toilet paper. There is never any toilet paper in their restrooms - so you have to buy your own.

Yet, since it's BILLIONAIRES I'm discussing here, I'm thinking that they are smart enough to not need to be reminded they're rich in Russia as well. Also in Mumbai, London and Hong Kong - billionaires - don't need to reminded that they're rich. So screw that idea.

And screw Forbes. A greed-driven publication marketing to the rich, about the rich.

Maybe Apple should market a "Hey, our economy's dieing out but I'm still driving/buying this monstrosity of a gas-guzzling elephant vehicle," bumper sticker to put on the back of Americans' cars. They'd make more money, it's more practical, and it could still glow red if they liked.

Over and Out.