Not knowing computers at this day and age (or whenever that video was shot which seems recent) is not a cool thing to celebrate, because the most basic computer skills are now as important as knowing how to drive. But I really think that more than a criticism of her intelligence, people really are criticizing her character. She could have handled this more gracefully by laughing it off, because it is laughable.
Maybe not knowing how to *drive*, lots of people don't need to know that, but it's kind of up there with knowing how to read.
This is the best comparison used because like knowing how to drive not everyone needs to know basic computer skills, so thanks for backing up OP and Kelly. o7
* buy a smartphone (okay, not even a skill)
* connect to the internet
* visit a website
* install an app
* use basic apps, e.g. read/send email, read/send text messages, view/take photos
That's it. And none of this is necessary for survival, nor to even be what I'd call a well-rounded person. They're just modern conveniences. Things beyond this are trainable. People get bonus points for knowing how to use 2FA or spot phishing attempts or other scams, but I view this is going beyond the purview of basic computer skills into basic cybersecurity.
So I don't see not knowing what Excel is as equivalent to not 'knowing computers.' But you know what, why do you get to choose what is a 'cool thing' to celebrate? If someone chooses to be computer illiterate and celebrates it, why is that a problem? My wife doesn't know how to drive. Guess what, she'll never murder someone with a car. Kudos to her.
If you’ve ever tried managing your own finances in a seriously methodical manner, for example, and you should, then using Excel or alternative spreadsheet software simply would be inevitable. Are you saying that managing your own finances is not an important life skill, let alone a chore? Should anyone be proud at all that they don’t? Heck, she has achieved some success as an artist so she must have money to manage and understand. Even rich people who have businesses to run must deal with Excel on a regular basis, because not doing so is gross neglect and can have serious consequences, both financially and legally.
I don’t understand why you’re so hellbent on defending ignorance, to be honest. If you’re not aware, you should know that you went a really long way to defend not knowing Excel, to think that for Kelly Rowland herself, I only criticised her tone.
What I am defending is someone saying that they don't know what Microsoft Excel is and don't care and having other people refer to that as prideful ignorance.
Exactly yesterday,I was helping a friend at the end of a workshop on accounting for entrepreneurs in social sectors.
To wrap up the two days class, he asked them what they had learned.
To my surprise a good number of them said they had learned making a simple formula in excel cells. ( white , 20-something , males, just in case you were wondering ).
There is a big world out there full of normal people that don't have the faintest idea about things you consider basic skills.
I interpret the "I don't care" as "that's pedantic" and "I have more important things to focus on".
I can't imagine there's anyone who lives in a sufficiently technologically-literate world that they know how to use a mobile phone, and despite this has never heard of the second most commonly used bit of software in the workplace.
Yeah, in the music industry it's not like you ever have to deal with massive lists of numbers.
To make sure they don't get ripped off by their producer/label
Why would a singer know what Microsoft Excel is? And how exactly is her response even "pride[ful]" ignorance? She just said she doesn't know what it is and therefore doesn't care about the memes. Which part here is pride in her ignorance of software mostly used in the accounting profession?
I'm not going to say she's a genius, but it's grounded for a person to acknowledge when they don't know what something is and don't give a shit. This thing was an afterthought to a music video for a song she was in. The video is tangential to her actual work. Why should she care? If you're going to call her ignorant and stupid for it, you should be able to explain why she should care about Microsoft Excel specifically when it's presented to her in a flurry of internet memes.
Also, why is she on TV? Because she's the second most famous person who was in Destiny's Child, behind Beyonce. Is TV only supposed to show people of high intelligence? Are "stupid" people actually subhumans who should not be represented on television, the bastion of idiots? Are stupid people actually morally bad and smart people are morally good? I'm so confused about all the things your worldview could imply. It's nonsense.