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Stop using app icons for political activism

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Re: Stop using app icons for political activism

#31

Post by dmkirwan »

The main question I have after reading this is: what 'bargain' is the author referring to? Apps change their logos all of the time, as is their right. The timing of this post is coincident with pride month, and many companies changing altering their logo to use the pride colors. I disagree with the suggestion that changing the color(s) of the logos and icons hinder the user's ability to find the app. A rainbow version of Dropbox's icon isn't going to make it any harder for me to find the Dropbox app and it might just make under-represented groups feel more seen.

I think the more general topic of brands taking political stances is worthy of debate, for sure. I tend to think it's fine. If I agree, great. If I don't, then I can choose spend my money at a company whose values align better with mine.

Re: Stop using app icons for political activism

#33

Post by hourago »

RC_ITR wrote: post #4

Pretty funny that this is getting so much traction on the (recognized) Juneteenth holiday during Pride month. Tell us how you really feel…

That is called to have a "hidden agenda".

Nowadays, articles get a lot of criticism for having "an agenda". That has never been a bad thing, everybody one way or another has an agenda. Nothing wrong with that.

But in that noise it has been lost the idea that "hidden agendas" are bad. Someone pushes for an idea, but in reality they are pushing for some effect that has nothing to do with that original idea.

"Hidden agendas" are bad because make dialog, understanding and getting to agreements difficult if not impossible.

Re: Stop using app icons for political activism

#35

Post by thereddaikon »

marcodiego wrote: post #18
thereddaikon wrote: post #12

Earlier quoted context omitted.

That's not viable when Apple prevents you from installing arbitrary software on their devices. You can just say use Android but that is also fraught with compromises as well.

One more reason to support linux phones. And yes, I know how inconvenient they can be compared to other models, but people should make the effort or else we will always live with these kinds of problems.

I'm a pinephone early adopter so you don't have to sell me on that. But I also know that such things are not viable for mass market. Pinephone works for me because I am technically savvy and value ownership of my device more than ease of use.

But time and time again we've seen that the market as a whole will go for whatever has the lowest friction. That's the singular most important factor. Whatever lets people do that thing quickest and easiest will usually win out.

So any serious and realistic discussion has to keep that in mind. This is why consumer protection laws are important. Because "people" aren't going to necessarily look out for their own long term best interests. And will choose the option that is easy today but will screw you down the road.

Re: Stop using app icons for political activism

#36

Post by otachack »

You can consider not using the product? If you can't stomach a temporary icon change, which I'm guessing has to do with either Pride or Juneteenth, then I'm sure the app organization and society wouldn't mind you finding an alternative.

The latter has become a federal holiday so it's not exactly activism IMO to show alliance with that.

Re: Stop using app icons for political activism

#39

Post by darklion »

proxyon wrote: post #22
Etheryte wrote: post #14

I'm always confused by statements like these. You can see similar dynamics playing out on artists' social media feeds for example, where people are upset when the artist talks about politics instead of their craft. Artists, developers, and everyone else is at the end of the day still a human being, not a machine that's there only to produce the content you want to consume. Getting a useful app for free (!) and then g…

It's not entitled to say we own our own computers and don't want your political advertising on them.

The reality is that while you own your computer, you generally don't own the proprietary software on it, you _license_ it. That license entitles you to remarkably little beyond using the software as the software vendor permits.

Re: Stop using app icons for political activism

#40

Post by kube-system »

proxyon wrote: post #22
Etheryte wrote: post #14

I'm always confused by statements like these. You can see similar dynamics playing out on artists' social media feeds for example, where people are upset when the artist talks about politics instead of their craft. Artists, developers, and everyone else is at the end of the day still a human being, not a machine that's there only to produce the content you want to consume. Getting a useful app for free (!) and then g…

It's not entitled to say we own our own computers and don't want your political advertising on them.

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