Sergey Brin ridiculed for saying mobile phones 'emasculating'
But how can the 'geek' behind Google's Android OS tell people what is manly and what isn't?
GOOGLE founder Sergey Brin, whose company developed the Android operating system, has declared that smartphones are "emasculating" and claimed that his latest innovation, Google Glass, will help people interact better.
He said people's use of their mobile phones had become a nervous habit, like smoking, and meant they spent all their time looking down at the screen in their hand.
"You're actually socially isolating yourself with your phone," Brin told an audience at the Technology, Education and Design (TED) conference in Los Angeles, according to Wired. "I feel like it's kind of emasculating... You're standing there just rubbing this featureless piece of glass."
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
He said that Google Glass, a device that sits in front of the eye on a pair of spectacles, would mean that users were able to take in the world around them as information was relayed in their field of vision. He said testing the eyewear had "really opened my eyes to how much of my life I spent secluded away in email or social posts".
His comments prompted a strong reaction on technology websites.
PC Mag said that Brin's comments were "a dumb way to talk about technology" and noted that "the whole riff appeared to be an attempt to argue that the Google Glass spectacles he's thrown his weight behind over the past few years are supercharged engines of machismo".
John Gruber of tech blog Daring Fireball dismissed Brin's comments. "We're taking advice on cool from this guy? Seriously?".
San Francisco-based website Sfist.com agreed. Brin, a man who wears terminally-unfashionable Crocs shoes, was in no position to tell people that "your smartphone is totally making you look lame".
Plenty of Twitter users backed up that sentiment, pointing out that Brin was a renowned geek.
Bloomberg was equally confused by Brin's attack on mobiles. "Whatever their effect on the attributes usually associated with men, smartphones and other mobile devices are key to Google's future," it pointed out.
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
Why is Tesla stumbling?
In the Spotlight More competition, confusion about the future and a giant pay package for Elon Musk
By Joel Mathis, The Week US Published
-
How Taylor Swift changed copyright negotiations in music
under the radar The success of Taylor's Version rerecordings has put new pressure on record labels
By Theara Coleman, The Week US Published
-
Job scams are increasingly common. Here's what to look out for.
The Explainer You should never pay for an application or give out your personal info before being hired
By Becca Stanek, The Week US Published
-
Artificial history
Opinion Google's AI tailored the past to fit modern mores, but only succeeded in erasing real historical crimes
By Theunis Bates Published
-
Is Google's new AI bot 'woke'?
Talking Points Gemini produced images of female popes and Black Vikings. Now the company has stepped back.
By Joel Mathis, The Week US Published
-
Why Google search results have 'gotten worse'
Under The Radar Search engines are 'flooded' with 'garbage' content, say experts
By Chas Newkey-Burden, The Week UK Published
-
2023: the year of the AI boom
the explainer This year, generative artificial intelligence bypassed the metaverse and became the next big thing in tech
By Theara Coleman, The Week US Published
-
How Google altered the world
feature The search engine is scrambling to stay ahead as 25th anniversary celebrations get under way
By Keumars Afifi-Sabet Published
-
Is using Google's Enhanced Safe Browsing mode worth it?
Talking Point The mode has its positives and its drawbacks
By Justin Klawans Published
-
Google is pitching an AI journalism tool to major news outlets
Talking Point News executives find the technology called Genesis unsettling
By Theara Coleman Published
-
Forget junk mail. Junk content is the new nuisance, thanks to AI.
Speed Read AI-generative models are driving a surge in content on fake news sites
By Theara Coleman Published