Certainly iPad not the apple of my eye

A huge number of people were prepared to queue all night just to be one of the first to touch the angelic curves of an iPad2. But what was all the fuss about? It's only a computer, right? Does an updated version of an over-hyped data processor really merit camping outside overnight just to show you are a true disciple of the iMessiah?

Don't get me wrong. I too have been briefly touched by the tiny tablet of dreams before dutifully returning it to its rightful owner, and can see the charm of the slick, curvy number. But come on, folks, it is not as if the last grains of rice in the whole land were about to be sold.

Anyway, it's not really the consumers I have a problem with. No, that honor goes to Apple. Its pontifical marketing of products is corrupting a generation of intelligent people into feeling inadequate if they don't own the latest must-have gadget.