The Passion Apple Provokes (a simple rant)

[appleii.c]

I am baffled more and more each day by the amount of passion that Apple instills. But what's amazing to me is not the passion it brings in it's own users, but the people who dislike Apple. What is it? Why? They say that it's because of our Smugness, but how can that be when there are other companies and it's users that are MORE smug. For crying out loud, I cant sit through a commercial break without an Anti-Apple commercial. How many YouTube videos have been made calling Apple's users "sheep" or "drones"... the Apple geniuses portrayed as clueless morons looking down on others. But that's simply the image the competition gives you. It's not the case, at least in MY experience. And I've been an avid fan of all things Apple for over 30 years.

We defend ourselves when we are ridiculed, and provoked; Sure. But look where you are. Look at the title or the site you are on. What do you expect? I occasionally look at the "Alternative device" threads and I see those threads much more civilized. Why? Because you aren't seeing the Apple guys in droves littering up the thread. Sure, you'll see the occasional obnoxious kid in there, but you wont see the thread swell to over 1000 posts of just bickering, insults, being called an idiot, a "fanboi", sheep... you name it.

Bendgate, Antennagate, Yellowgate... you name it. Apple has made headlines for many a faux pas. But they are nowhere near the only ones. I've seen numerous other issues lately regarding other phone manufactures from screens mysteriously cracking, to camera glass breaking, micro-usb ports not working, gapgate, you name it. But they will never instill such hateful passion. And they wont stir up a multi-thousand post thread to argue its validity. It'll just go quietly into the night.

I simply want to understand why this is. Why do I always receive a negative comment about my preference in brands. I never go out of my way and approach my Android co-workers and comment on THEIR devices, and what they did or did not copy. What features I have that are "better", What a sheep he is for buying Samsung or using Google's services. And I sure have NEVER posted on an Android forum about how their device does X.

That's my rant. I apologize for it's length. I'm done defending my Apple loyalty, as well as my iPhone 6 and how sturdy or not it is. Is it more fragile than the others? Sure. Will it bend? Who knows. But I love it, and I'll take care of it. Whatever happens, I'll deal with it when/if it does.

 

[rrl]

I think most of your answers can be found in the Steve Jobs biography.

 

[roadbloc]

Apple market themselves as this perfect company that makes products that 'just work'. And also charge that way too. When their products fall short of the perfection they promise, there can be a lot of unhappy people.

Only Apple are to blame for the constant debate surrounding them. But that said, it keeps their name mentioned, which isn't a bad thing in any reality.

 

[appleii.c]

I think most of your answers can be found in the Steve Jobs biography.

I've read it, and I still don't know the answer. Possibly it's me, I'm on this side of the fence I suppose. But I guess it's like being that person that no one likes, and you just dont understand why.

Apple market themselves as this perfect company that makes products that 'just work'. And also charge that way too. When their products fall short of the perfection they promise, there can be a lot of unhappy people.

Only Apple are to blame for the constant debate surrounding them. But that said, it keeps their name mentioned, which isn't a bad thing in any reality.

I'm not sure it's fair to think that only Apple promote themselves this way. I would imagine you wont find a company who goes out and says "We're pretty good... not the best, but give us a try". As a matter of fact, all you see nowadays is companies advertising how they are much better than Apple. Cortana ads, wall huggers, the reverse 'I'm a Macbook air, I'm a Surface" ads, the latest "our phones don't bend". Aside form those mac vs pc ads of old, Apple doesn't really publicly tease or mock their competition, do they? I think every successful company HAS to promote themselves as the best. Maybe the Media expects something more than what is realistic from Apple.

MacRumors is a site that I would assume is MOSTLY visited by Apple users of some sort. And this site is one of the best sites to come to for help with just about anything... even NON apple products. I look at threads about people having issues with their products and the VAST majority have positive experiences from Apple Support, in store or other.

Do you really believe that Apple Inc. or its fans are much worse than others?

 

[Melrose]

Apple market themselves as this perfect company that makes products that 'just work'. And also charge that way too. When their products fall short of the perfection they promise, there can be a lot of unhappy people.

Only Apple are to blame for the constant debate surrounding them. But that said, it keeps their name mentioned, which isn't a bad thing in any reality.

Well that's utter balderdash. I would itemize the arguments against the balderdash but they are really self evident and have been argued a million times already.

 

[aaronvan]

...passion that Apple instills. Why?

Who knows? Someday I will walk into a biker bar and ask the them why they are such Harley-Davidson fanboys. I'm sure the answer will be illuminating.

 

[sodapop1]

IMO, all of the extreme Apple hatred stems from people who are resentful and feel isolated because they truly don't get why Apple products are so appealing to many. It is similar to someone telling a joke that they just don't get while everyone else in the room is laughing. At least for me, what I find so appealing about Apple is their dedication to designing products that are well thought out, easy to use and intuitive on so many levels. But to others, these qualities matter very little and are perceived as controlling. To them, it is much more important for a product to be highly customizable than it is for it to be straightforward and easy to use. I can understand their frustration with so many people going around boasting about how great Apple products are and especially when you see people willing to camp out for days outside of an Apple store.

 

[appleii.c]

Who knows? Someday I will walk into a biker bar and ask the them why they are such Harley-Davidson fanboys. I'm sure the answer will be illuminating.

I agree, fanaticism exists in many different products. Sports teams are known for their fanaticism. I'm not a motorcycle guy, But I wonder if Honda fans are trolling the Harley forums posting #mufflergate or #clutchgate threads. I'm sure there exists a mutual respect between other brands. I may be wrong, but I don't see all that crap about other companies. At least not to this degree.

 

[lowendlinux]

Next time you see a guy on a Harley ask them what they think of Honda? The answer will generally be not much, there is a great deal of brand loyalty and teams there too. Chevy vs Ford, AMD vs nVidia, AMD vs Intel, Apple vs PC's they all evoke a reaction however justified or not. From the stuff I've read here this place is actually pretty decent there really isn't to much sillyness here. Go to an overclocking forum and read some of the stuff that goes on with AMD and nVidia, that will make this place seem like a cool refreshing breeze.