You Love Your iPhone. Literally.

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/10/01/opinion/you-love-your-iphone-literally.html?_r=1

by _kate_ • 15 years ago

13 5 15 years ago

jinushaun• 15 years ago

"Earlier this year, I carried out an fMRI experiment to find out whether iPhones were really, truly addictive, no less so than alcohol, cocaine, shopping or video games. In conjunction with the San Diego-based firm MindSign Neuromarketing, I enlisted eight men and eight women between the ages of 18 and 25. Our 16 subjects were exposed separately to audio and to video of a ringing and vibrating iPhone.

...

In short, the subjects didn’t demonstrate the classic brain-based signs of addiction. Instead, they loved their iPhones."

Fanboism to a whole new level. I really like my iPhone a lot, but I'm not sure if I "like like" my iPhone.

technoslut• 15 years ago

>Fanboism to a whole new level. I really like my iPhone a lot, but I'm not sure if I "like like" my iPhone.

The article is a bit confusing as it goes in many directions. It starts with the 'cult of Apple', then goes into how Apple is indoctrinating the youth into touch (which is natural for a 14 month old) and concludes with how all people are emotionally attached to their phone, regardless of the brand.

The iPhone is always the easy target but it shouldn't have been the focus of the article.

Edit: I've never thought fanboyism is particularly wrong. There's nothing wrong with being a fan of sports team, musician, actor or brand. The problem is when they become irrational and angry.

libria• 15 years ago

No, there is something fundamentally wrong with fanboism. Imagine a company very similar to Apple that suddenly came into existence; call it "Orange". Suppose Orange had products nearly identical to Apple in quality/UX except for a few innovations here and there. Would an Apple fanboi embrace Orange as a potential new vendor or defend their current pet corporation?

I understand people liking a product/process because it is efficient and profitable or even aesthetic. But fanboism in all its forms creates a stagnant mind with blind loyalty that dismisses superior products.

BTW, this also extends to musicians, actors, sports teams. Sports teams are way too transient even define as an entity. Players become free agents or retire, coaches get fired. I do wonder if any Houston Oiler fans cheer for the Tennesee Titans.

buzdruqz• 15 years ago

"The subjects’ brains responded to the sound of their phones as they would respond to the presence or proximity of a girlfriend, boyfriend or family member."

Well perhaps because, you know, at the other end of the line..

Maybe next he should test whether people feel affection at the sight of a photograph of a loved one. Wait.. this kind of study has been done a bazillion times in every possible variation. The only thing different in this particular study are its exceptionally erroneous conclusions. But the man has a book to sell, A Book With An All Caps Title.

"My best advice? Shut off your iPhone, order some good Champagne and find love and compassion the old-fashioned way."

Technology and old-fashioned romance can actually co-exist, believe it or not. Absolutely wank piece of writing.

lachenmayer• 15 years ago

I had exactly the same thought. Also, the "separation anxiety" he speaks of is hardly due to "love" for the iPhone, but rather to the fact that people would rely on us to carry the phone around with us to be available at all times.

You Love Your iPhone. Literally.

Related Stories