Apple Causes Religious Reaction In Brains of Fans 636
satuon writes "In a recently screened BBC documentary called 'Secrets of the Superbrands', UK neuroscientists found that the brains of Apple fans are stimulated by images of Apple products in the same areas as those triggered by religious imagery in a person of faith. According to the scientists, this suggests that the big tech brands have harnessed, or exploit, the brain areas that have evolved to process religion."
It's a cult. (Score:4, Interesting)
I think it's simply human nature. An individual who doesn't have religion inevitably creates something to fill that space. So you get celebrity and idol worship and the adulation of lifestyle brands.
Having worked in design for well over a decade I've come across countless Apple fanatics. Although fervor has dampened a bit in recent years, the switch to Intel processors and Apple having becomes largely mainstream playing significant parts in that. Not to discount what Apple has been able to do, but routinely Apple gets all the credit for things others have been doing for years.
The way I've seen some people idolize Steve Jobs is downright embarrassing. I've seen people use his portrait as a desktop background. Every time a new product comes along the rumors start flying about how it works and how it's built. I've heard some outrageous claims over the years.
The thing that I never expected was that this level of fanaticism would infect the mainstream. The big irony is that for many people, particular college kids from what I've seen, continue to see Apple as representative of some kind of counter-culture. I wonder how these people would feel if they say who's on Apple's board of directors. It doesn't get more mainstream than Apple. I'm sure they'd find a way to rationalize it all.
I've always thought Apple has a great marketing machine. But really, their job is made unbelievably easy thanks to all the fanatics.
Re:..brain regions which evolved to process religi (Score:4, Interesting)
Re:Political discussions do the same thing (Score:5, Interesting)
Re:Apple Stores (Score:3, Interesting)
I said I was involved in IT and PC's and asked about their repair desk and how it was different.
They said that the priority #1 of the help desk personnel is to ensure the well-being of the customer. Make sure they are happy, not stressed, calmed, not worried about the damaged product.
The well-being of the customer paramount over actually fixing the product.
Huh. Makes sense.
Re:Apple Stores (Score:0, Interesting)
Atheism says there is no god. Religions say there is. Simply not believing in a god figure is not atheism. That's just not being religious. Atheism is a belief structure just like religions. You believe there is no god. It's as equally unprovable as the religious stance that there is. I don't give a shit either way, and I'd say even that could qualify as a religious belief. Maybe there is a god, maybe there's not. I don't care.
Re:Apple Stores (Score:3, Interesting)
Re:Apple Stores (Score:3, Interesting)
Yes it is called architecture and design. It says, these products are clean, modern, convenient. And the main point about the layout is that each table invites you to go over and look at stuff and play with stuff. That's why there's so much space. That's why Regent Street has a wide open space when you enter -- it is a breath of air from the busy street.
Honestly, it is like geeks find design and aesthetics to be an affront to their sensibilities or something. And yet, do people sneer at beautifully designed sports cars? Beautiful women?
The key is this: yes you can make the store temple like, advertise humanistic values, a clean aesthetic. That's to get you to come in. But if what's on the tables is shit and non functional, people WILL leave. Great packaging can't make up for crappy functionality. People leave in a heartbeat.