Lord Sacks, Chief Rabbi in the UK has criticized Apple for creating an egocentric society. Speaking at an interfaith reception which also had the Queen in attendance, Lord Sack compared the iPad to Moses’ tablet bearing the Ten Commandments.
He also stated that Steve Job’s iPad and other such “i” products are leading to a more materialistic and individualistic society. He went on to add that consumerism and an egocentric society is full of ingratitude and unthankful towards God.
Though it seemed that the rabbi was criticizing Apple and Steve Jobs for the consumer society, spokesman for Sacks later clarified that he was actually trying to impress upon the potential dangers of consumerism and not criticizing Apple or Jobs.
Interestingly though Queen Elizabeth is a fan of Apple and reportedly owns two iPods, which includes the one gifted to her by the US President Barack Obama in 2009.
Steve Jobs was considered for knighthood in the UK, although he never received the same. Jonathan Ive, the lead designer at Apple and a UK resident though has received the title of Commander of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, which is a rung below knighthood.