iOS is anti-Unix and anti-programmer

I'm a marginal Linux script writer at best but I appreciate the point regarding composability. Still, I have to wonder whether composability is as relevant today as 30 years ago, not because it isn't a desirable attribute for programmers but because the thousands of developers that are churning out limited feature, limited purpose apps don't seem to miss it. Happy to learn if I'm missing something here.

Composability is what makes something greater than the sum of its parts. The iPad, I found, is so constrained as to be useless. I know of very few people who are still using their iPad regularly after 6 months or so precisely because of this (and the star trek wow factor has worn off).

Ironically, composability is why I still carry around a 15-year old TI92 calculator instead of an iPad, even though my peers look at me strangely. Oh and it still runs on good old fashioned AA batteries :)

How many of those people you know with iPads are what we would call normal people?

I only ask because it seems to me that most of them wouldn't mind at all that one couldn't be productive on the iPad since surfing and a few games are mostly what they use it for.

It's not anti-Unix or anti-programmer...it's all about being anti-freedom.

All these companies want to do is turn your computing experience into a locked down, controlled, monitored experience. They want to turn your limitless and powerful computer into a home appliance...like a blender or electric razer. No way to customize, no way to modify, no way to organize thoughts your way. No hacking or "jailbreaking" into your own device to give yourself features like "tethering". That would violate the ALL HOLY EULA (unless you paid $5.99)!!!

Also no need to understand how the technology works -- technology is now magic. And when technology becomes magic, they have control over you. Google manages all your e-mail, Facebook and iPhone manage your social life. Google and FB make their money through selling your information to marketing companies. Apple makes it by selling you hardware. Both of them make money by exploiting the lack of will by the masses to understand their technology and how it affects their rights and privacy. They make money when they are in control of you and your data. They make money by making you think you need a new computer when all you need is a better operating system.

Getting rid of files is like Newspeak from Orwell's 1984. They want you to be dumber. They'll take care of savin that file for ya, you just worry about eating nachos and 'batin. Besides, they need to take a looksie at it first to infer information about your shopping habits...

Most comments in this thread strike me as being anti-"normal users". This is the elite, talking about how they can maintain their elite position.