[ghporter]

According to a study by Oxford University and noted marketing expert Martin Lindstrom, people's brains react to strong brands exactly the same way they react to strong religious symbols or figures like the pope or Mother Theresa. Read about it here. The article specifically identifies Apple as one of these strong brands and states "when people line up oustide Apple stores for the latest iPhone, they are not just hankering to get the latest gadget—they are pretty much having a religious experience, too."

The article has some really good tips to forearm people against strong and potentially aggressive marketing, too.

I've always thought that I stuck with a particular brand because I knew its quirks and strengths, and that I was too lazy to research other brands. I have to wonder whether I was actually being manipulated at those times...

[Dork.]

[- - e r i k - -]

Originally Posted by ghporter 

I've always thought that I stuck with a particular brand because I knew its quirks and strengths, and that I was too lazy to research other brands. I have to wonder whether I was actually being manipulated at those times...

You are onto something here. Try applying those thoughts to religion as well

[Cipher13]

It makes sense to a point.

I'm not religious, nor do I feel any brand loyalty whatsoever.

[brassplayersrock²]

3 Do not have any other gods before me.

5 You shall not bow down to them or worship them; for I the Lord your God am a jealous God, punishing children for the iniquity of parents, to the third and the fourth generation of those who reject me,

[imitchellg5]

Depends on what you define religion as I suppose.

[Jawbone54]

If I treated my spirituality the same way that I treated gaming consoles...

[ghporter]

I think it's interesting that Reuters is putting some of the blame for Apple stock's recent downturn on worries about Steve Jobs' health. People are asking about a "succession plan" for Apple leadership and staking their business decisions on who might be in charge at some theoretical future point. Is Steve so magical that he's indispensable? I think this technological "cult of personality" issue is a good example of how brand loyalty can get really, really silly.

[Northeastern292]

Originally Posted by ghporter 

I think it's interesting that Reuters is putting some of the blame for Apple stock's recent downturn on worries about Steve Jobs' health. People are asking about a "succession plan" for Apple leadership and staking their business decisions on who might be in charge at some theoretical future point. Is Steve so magical that he's indispensable? I think this technological "cult of personality" issue is a good example of how brand loyalty can get really, really silly.

I don't think I could keep buying a computer that has a cult personality behind it. It is really really silly.