iKey opens vault of sneering Luddites

The Daily Mail's attitude towards technology has long left it open to parody. The Media Blog has already discussed a recent Harry Mount article calling for computers in schools to be banned - a faux nostalgic trip down lack-of-memory lane, written by Beano lover who probably thinks phones are 'new-fangled'.

(A search for the author's name tells me all I need to know, with his most recent effort entitled 'Save Dennis from the Menace of PC softies!" Groan.)

Anyway, at least Mount's article was an opinion piece - with the requisite first-person narrative and overt subjectivity. What's interesting, however, is how the Mail's news articles also bait readers into sneering Luddite-hood. Take this news piece, about a mobile app that could activate your front door.

It's actually fairly subtle by Mail standards. It doesn't rave hysterically about security, and cancer isn't mentioned once. But it does push its readers into baseless disdain about some technology they'll never buy:

"Inevitably dubbed the iKey..." (How iSilly!! Etc.)

"The latest in a series of applications - or 'apps' as they are known by users"

And, brilliantly:

"If... the iKey takes off, then one of the few things the phone won't be good for is as a handkerchief." (To wave at fair maidens? What?)

And sure enough:

"Inevitably, codes will be cloned, and thieves will enter." (A Disgruntled Elector, Blighted Blighty)

"These iPhone apps are getting ridiculous can I suggest another... The off switch!" (Mark S, Leeds)