Study finds that we're all arrogant jerks, can probably fix its own damn iPod next time
Hey you -- yeah, you. The one reading this here gadget site. You know what? You're a jerk. A complete kneebiter. That's the conclusion of a recent study conducted by Mindset Media and Nielsen Research, which evaluated the "mindsets" of 25,000 American adults and found that technology fans scored high on such traits as leadership, "dynamism" and assertiveness, but had low marks in modesty and could be perceived as arrogant and conceited by others. That's fine by us -- we're not going to turn down leadership for being well-liked, after all -- but we've got a feeling those survey results are going to change as soon as someone at Nielsen needs his or her printer drivers updated. Obligatory Nick Burns video after the break.
[Thanks, Benjamin; hoodie from ThinkGeek]
[Thanks, Benjamin; hoodie from ThinkGeek]

















Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
Will @ Jun 19th 2008 5:11PM
I'd rather be an arrogant leader than a modest dipshit.
Low Ranked @ Jun 19th 2008 5:14PM
The modest dipshits are usually the ones on the other end of the phone line.
Eli @ Jun 19th 2008 5:32PM
No, those are the arrogant dipshits.
OneLove @ Jun 19th 2008 5:48PM
Did they study Steve Balmer?
Dusty Nipples @ Jun 19th 2008 5:50PM
There is really nothing sadder than a geek who thinks he is cool.
DefPo3t @ Jun 19th 2008 5:59PM
Hwy I resent that statement I was a jock/geek/emo in high schoo. ..,..... On a side note my doctor told me I had a personality disorder. :^{
Will @ Jun 19th 2008 6:20PM
We should be able to delete replies if we want to.
That way people will stop replying to the first post simply to get to the top of the page.
kyoseki @ Jun 19th 2008 6:37PM
I would be modest, but I'm just too damned good.
The Dude @ Jun 19th 2008 7:24PM
@Dusty Nipples:
Exactly how do one's nipples get dusty?
Blaktornado @ Jun 19th 2008 8:34PM
@The Dude
Maybe like how everything else gets dusty... *rolls eyes*
thatrotierkid @ Jun 20th 2008 8:19AM
by being unused and never touched?
retro77 @ Jun 19th 2008 5:14PM
Nothing new here! But good to hear that the usuall attitude is being well enforced everywhere IT touches the end user.
phanbouy @ Jun 19th 2008 6:07PM
the only thing being enforced regarding IT geeks' end user touching is a restraining order
phanbouy @ Jun 19th 2008 6:09PM
the only thing being enforced regarding IT geeks' end user touching is a restraining order
phanbouy @ Jun 19th 2008 6:09PM
damn comment system fockers
retro77 @ Jun 19th 2008 6:14PM
ensue the lol times
To Engadget: Please fix the comments!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!11!!!!11!!!1!!!1one!!1
ddub @ Jun 19th 2008 8:50PM
phanbouy, its the comment system thats stupid and not you right?
ddub @ Jun 19th 2008 8:50PM
phanbouy, its the comment system thats stupid and not you right?
ddub @ Jun 20th 2008 12:59PM
Since I'm an arrogant bastard, I'd like to congratulate myself on the first ever double post with two Highly/Highest Ranked.
retro77 @ Jun 20th 2008 1:04PM
@ddub: let me fix that for you.
Mark Anderson @ Jun 19th 2008 5:16PM
I'm an arrogant tool.
So there.
phanbouy @ Jun 19th 2008 6:19PM
uh... thanks for sharing?
Josh @ Jun 19th 2008 5:20PM
Stupid mac.
oh wait, is it the mac that's stoopid? haha loved that video.
marlboro @ Jun 19th 2008 5:21PM
wow my wife says this to me all the time
retro77 @ Jun 19th 2008 5:34PM
YOUR WIFE TELLS ME THAT TOO!!!
vdogg89 @ Jun 19th 2008 5:38PM
my girlfriend tells me this all the time too
marlboro @ Jun 19th 2008 5:25PM
WOW my wife tell this same thing all the time
Backlin @ Jun 19th 2008 9:38PM
Well stop telling us all the freakin' time then!
primetime4 @ Jun 19th 2008 5:26PM
Wait till the robots take over.
marlboro @ Jun 19th 2008 5:27PM
dam u engadget i post a comment it didn't go up then when reposted u put both up where nick burns to pick on me
insertAlias @ Jun 19th 2008 5:38PM
English, motherfucker!! Do you speak it?
Reader @ Jun 19th 2008 5:54PM
Ahh patience, such a hard thing to come by. Seriously, if you post it once, check back in an hour and if it's still not there then repost.
Quikboy @ Jun 19th 2008 5:27PM
My friend has one of those shirts, they're really cool. They're kinda funny too.
Zorque @ Jun 19th 2008 5:36PM
I've always thought shirts like that were a litmus test for punchability.
Christy McGrory @ Jun 19th 2008 5:27PM
Stupid internal US video stream thing.
Tromac @ Jun 19th 2008 5:29PM
Can we please have another video for those outside the US if possible?
"We're sorry, currently our video library can only be streamed within the Unites States."
d840 @ Jun 19th 2008 6:00PM
Use a proxy.
http://www.proxomitron.info/
Jherez @ Jun 20th 2008 1:21AM
@ d840, just want to say thanks for introducing me to proxies, I used to hear about them and never knew what they were. Now that I installed Foxyproxy in FF I can now access veoh.com :D
r3loaded @ Jun 20th 2008 1:54AM
I shouldn't have to use a proxy just to watch a damn video..
Jon Doe. @ Jun 19th 2008 5:31PM
I think the survey was too narrow. Americans, for the most part, are self centered jerks. More so the younger they are too. And one doesn't need to be assertive to be a leader. Yes it IS possible to be a leader and be modest...contrary to what is taught at the Republican School of Asshatary.
retro77 @ Jun 19th 2008 5:38PM
HEY! I resemble your comment!
Also don't pick on us Americans, there a lot of asshat Europeans and Asians too! Come to think of it, there a lot in every country/continent.
I noticed your too ashamed to tell us where your from.
Reader @ Jun 19th 2008 5:56PM
You resemble it? Lulz.
Chicksta @ Jun 19th 2008 6:09PM
You're confusing assertiveness with aggressiveness. Assertiveness is absolutely necessary to be a leader; aggression is not. Self-centeredness and arrogance are part of aggression, not assertion. A true leader respects others (and is respected in kind) and still asks for what they want.
Prokanda @ Jun 19th 2008 6:57PM
I don't think you get the title of "leader" for asking.
Normally "leader" means that you do what's necessary.
You take what you need, not ask for what you want.
That would be a fail-leader.
Stiv @ Jun 19th 2008 11:04PM
Asshatary FTW
jared @ Jun 19th 2008 5:31PM
I don't think it's the gadgets that make me an arrogant prick....but at least I have an excuse now.
Grey Acumen @ Jun 19th 2008 5:32PM
It's amazing how often stupid people get "arrogant" confused with "knowing what the F*** I'm talking about"
GBallew @ Jun 19th 2008 6:48PM
Exactly! I get this all the time because I actually know what I'm talking about! Maybe I'm a little condencending, because there's no reason that common knowlege isnt that common anymore...
Gustavo @ Jun 19th 2008 5:32PM
yea we might be arrogant but the reason why is because we are tired of asking people to do stuff for them like fix their computer for free and as soon as we charge ordinary people for our work they call us arrogant
sunnyboi14 @ Jun 19th 2008 5:33PM
Omg. So true. Im glad engadget posted on this. Lol