So should we consider Apple a cult yet?

[Travis]

All knowing Leader whose demise would signal the end of it all.

Fanatical followers who seem to be deluding themselves more and more.

The continued extortion of money in order to "belong" and get "the answers."

Ridicule of those not already converted.

Promise of protection for those that stay loyal and in the flock.




So what are your thoughts? Is the definition of a "cult" elastic enough to encompass the phenomenon of Apple?

 

[Foster Zygote]

Is there a "mass suicide" app for the iPhone yet?

 

[Rasmus]

No.

 

[lionking]

If I get in early enough can I become a High Priest?

 

[Ron_Tomkins]

Is this about the whole turn gay people into straight app controversy?

 

[Lisa Simpson]

No.



















Posted from my iPad.

 

[Dragonrock]

I don't know if I'd call them a cult, but I do think that most of them act like an abused spouse who never leaves in spite of all the crap because The Steve really loves them and the next iWhatever will really do everything he says it will because he wouldn't lie to them and it's probably their fault that it doesn't work anyway since they really shouldn't even want to do anything that The Steve doesn't want them to.

 

[fls]

Does a cult have casual users of whatever is being sold who don't follow any of those tenets?

Are their casual scientologists or casual Branch Davidians?

Alternatively, does the presence of a core of dedicated fans make something a cult? Is there a cult of Brad Pitt or cult of Halo?

If you make it too elastic, it kinda looks like anything can be called a cult if it's popular. Or have I missed the point and this is just a thread to stimulate camaraderie by making fun of <insert random group here>?

(Note: I don't have direct experience of what you describe in the OP - I don't get out much. )

Linda

 

[Philosaur]

Does a cult have casual users of whatever is being sold who don't follow any of those tenets?

Are their casual scientologists or casual Branch Davidians?

Alternatively, does the presence of a core of dedicated fans make something a cult? Is there a cult of Brad Pitt or cult of Halo?

If you make it too elastic, it kinda looks like anything can be called a cult if it's popular. Or have I missed the point and this is just a thread to stimulate camaraderie by making fun of <insert random group here>?

(Note: I don't have direct experience of what you describe in the OP - I don't get out much. )

Linda

Awww--way to bring everything down to the level of dull rationality.

 

[GrandMasterFox]

When the rapture comes and the great virus is unleashed, those of us who have followed the rules of the holy firewall set by Papa Gates will be saved and taken to the great mainframe in the sky.

Followers of Jobs the dark one will get what's comming to you.

 

[coalesce]

Followers of Jobs the dark one will get what's comming to you.

Products that actually work?

Michael

 

[Jekyll's Guest]

Is there a "mass suicide" app for the iPhone yet?

yeah, but only if you hack it first.

 

[ferd burfle]

When the rapture comes and the great virus is unleashed, those of us who have followed the rules of the holy firewall set by Papa Gates will be saved and taken to the great mainframe in the sky.

Followers of Jobs the dark one will get what's comming to you.

Well, I'm on my fifth Mac and my second iPad. Never had and don't feel any need whatsoever for antivirus or malware software. How much have you spent on antivirus software and how much time have you spent keeping it up to date?

ferd

 

[uruk]

~snip~ Followers of Jobs the dark one will get what's comming to you.

Yea, you can't trust anyone in a black turtle neck.*





*Aww, That's not fair. I just jealous because I can't wear turtle necks. I don't have a neck.
My head just connects directly to my sholders. If I put on a turtle neck I just look like I'm wearing a ski mask.

 

[uruk]

~snip~ How much have you spent on antivirus software

None. I'm using Microsoft Security Essentials. $Free$

and how much time have you spent keeping it up to date?

None. It updates on it's own.

Security for your computer is more "user" than "technology". Most malware get's loaded because of social engineering. Meaning you load the hackers malware into your computer by being tricked into clicking where and when you shouldn't.

An educated user is a virus free user.

 

[ThatSoundAgain]

So what are your thoughts? Is the definition of a "cult" elastic enough to encompass the phenomenon of Apple?

Sure. It's one of the most elastically defined terms around.

It's a word that has its uses, but if you use it like this, don't be surprised if it isn't conductive to dialogue. It's considered a perjorative term, and most people you try to label with it will see it as an attempt to define them out of relevance from the get-go. In other words, a handy single-syllabic well-poisoner.

May I ask where you meet these obnoxious computer users?

 

[dtugg]

Well, I'm on my fifth Mac and my second iPad. Never had and don't feel any need whatsoever for antivirus or malware software. How much have you spent on antivirus software and how much time have you spent keeping it up to date?

ferd

$0 and none.

 

[Travis]

Does a cult have casual users of whatever is being sold who don't follow any of those tenets?

Are their casual scientologists or casual Branch Davidians?

Alternatively, does the presence of a core of dedicated fans make something a cult? Is there a cult of Brad Pitt or cult of Halo?

If you make it too elastic, it kinda looks like anything can be called a cult if it's popular. Or have I missed the point and this is just a thread to stimulate camaraderie by making fun of <insert random group here>?

(Note: I don't have direct experience of what you describe in the OP - I don't get out much. )

Linda

Who's making fun of anyone? I was a huge fan of the show Lost and considering the way we Losties acted I think someone would have been fairly correct to label us "cult like." Wouldn't have bothered me.

Well, I'm on my fifth Mac and my second iPad. Never had and don't feel any need whatsoever for antivirus or malware software. How much have you spent on antivirus software and how much time have you spent keeping it up to date?

ferd

Interesting.....there seems to be an implication of condescension for "non believers" in your post.

Sure. It's one of the most elastically defined terms around.

It's a word that has its uses, but if you use it like this, don't be surprised if it isn't conductive to dialogue. It's considered a perjorative term, and most people you try to label with it will see it as an attempt to define them out of relevance from the get-go. In other words, a handy single-syllabic well-poisoner.

May I ask where you meet these obnoxious computer users?

Have you ever been in an Apple Store?

 

[Vic Vega]

I have no idea if you could call it a cult or not, but of it is, sign me up.

I recently got an iMac after not having an Apple computer for 20 years. The operating system is so superior to Windows that I can't believe I've suffered with PCs for all these years.

I'm objective enough to see the flaws in some Apple products, but IMO, Apple's operating system is far superior to Linux or Windows for the home user.

 

[fls]

Who's making fun of anyone? I was a huge fan of the show Lost and considering the way we Losties acted I think someone would have been fairly correct to label us "cult like." Wouldn't have bothered me.

So you are just using it to refer to something popular? Okay.

Linda