Psychology of the FANBOY

[thilanliyan]

http://arstechnica.com/science/news...f-favorite-brands-as-threat-to-self-image.ars

"Have you been the type to declare that those who don't use Android are cylons who are under mind control from Cupertino?"
I have definitely done that lol, although for me it's not Android, it's ANYTHING BUT Apple. Hehe j/k...people can use whatever they want...doesn't influence my buying.

I am posting it in this forum just for discussion since I feel that it is most appropriate in VCG.

I would like this to not be a flamefest. If a mod feels it is inappropriate for this forum please feel free to move/delete it.

 

[hdfxst]

Here's another one http://techreport.com/discussions.x/21294

 

[busydude]

LOL yeah.. the threatening PM's I receive here mostly indicate what OP has suggested.

 

[Dankk]

Fanboyism... Not even once.

 

[blckgrffn]

I can see that article being thrown around vigorously on forums from here to infinity - by fanboys, of course

 

[bryanW1995]

Puts popcorn into microwave...pulls up lawn chair...this should be interesting. Subscribed.

 

[ViRGE]

This is nothing I didn't already know (or at least suspect), but it's nice to see that psychologists were able to confirm it.

 

[birthdaymonkey]

I've often mused about fanboyism as a kind of unreciprocated romantic relationship analogous to a young man obsessing over a woman who doesn't know he exists, but of course this is a tongue-in-cheek analysis.

Now that I read this, it makes much better sense. It aligns well with my theory (plagiarized/synthesized from the ideas of others, of course) about the construction of personal identity in the consumer age. The average person's self-image is becoming more and more tied into the purchasing decisions they make. Many people seem to be losing touch with other (non-consumer) markers of identity such as family, religion, political ideology, nationality and so on and more reliant on brands or cultural products (pop movies, TV shows, and music) to define who they are. There are of course exceptions to this trend, but it's been happening for a while and seems to be stronger in newer generations.

BTW, I'm not suggesting I'm an exception or making a value judgment here... just speculating on what's going on behind fanboys' feelings wrt their favourite brands.

 

[sandorski]

Is it my fault that Competitors to my preferred brands run over puppies, collaborate with hostile Aliens, and steal precious electrons? :\

 

[akugami]

Is it my fault that Competitors to my preferred brands run over puppies, corroborate with hostile Aliens, and steal precious electrons? :\

Do they place the puppies in easily escapable situations involving overly elaborate and exotic deaths?

 

[Meghan54]

Is it my fault that Competitors to my preferred brands run over puppies, corroborate with hostile Aliens, and steal precious electrons? :\

Did you mean collaborate.....as in work with aliens?

Corroborate means something a lot different.....to support with evidence or authority, such as I corroborated my brother's story.

 

[sandorski]

Did you mean collaborate.....as in work with aliens?

Corroborate means something a lot different.....to support with evidence or authority, such as I corroborated my brother's story.

Ah yes. :'(

 

[Ben90]

Is it my fault that Competitors to my preferred brands run over puppies, collaborate with hostile Aliens, and steal precious electrons? :\

Bashing Fermi, my self image is damaged. BAN please

 

[sandorski]

Bashing Fermi, my self image is damaged. BAN please

PETA will be picketing your house before Noon. :hmm:

 

[bryanW1995]

Do they place the puppies in easily escapable situations involving overly elaborate and exotic deaths?

I have a gun, in my room, you give me five seconds, I'll get it, I'll come back down here, BOOM, I'll blow their brains out!

 

[Idontcare]

LOL yeah.. the threatening PM's I receive here mostly indicate what OP has suggested.

For the record, the Anandtech Posting Guidelines apply to pm's just as they do to public forum posts.

That is why you can report pm's.

If any member is sending you threatening pm's which you feel violate the posting guidelines (which includes harassment and baiting) then please report the pm so the moderators can help make your experience on these forums a more enjoyable experience.

Idontcare
Super Mod

 

[bryanW1995]

edited to prevent mod smackdown.

 

[AnandThenMan]

edited to prevent mod smackdown.

Bummer, I was hoping to see a smackdown without resorting to WWE action.

 

[Blitzvogel]

"Threat to self image"

NO [redacted].

It didn't take a professional study to understand this.

Please don't use profanity. It's easy mkkay.
-ViRGE

 

[Spikesoldier]

BUMP this should be a sticky. i had to dig this out to reference it.

 

[bryanW1995]

Fanboyism is dead...I can't believe that we've so successfully moderated VC&G that a thread like this can't even get up to 2 pages after 4 months... I am very disappointed in the AT forums right now.

 

[SirPauly]

I don't understand why any of this is surprising actually -- with products or anything that offers entertainment or joy to one's life -- there may be passion and fans, with some being one-sided or extreme.

What's the big deal?

One can't expect everyone to be impartial, objective, fair and logical, and it is the passion for technology that fuels many to post. Discuss, bicker, agree, argue but as long as there are no personal attacks and some attempts of respect, kindness and tolerance; it's all good to me. It is the passion and differences that make Forums fun actually.

 

[Will Robinson]

I laugh at how everyone responding to this post "knows a fanboy"....and "naturally" doesn't have anything in common with the way they act....:whiste:

 

[sandorski]

I laugh at how everyone responding to this post "knows a fanboy"....and "naturally" doesn't have anything in common with the way they act....:whiste:

Danger Will Robinson, DANGER! [/arms flailing]

 

[SirPauly]

I laugh at how everyone responding to this post "knows a fanboy"....and "naturally" doesn't have anything in common with the way they act....:whiste:

Imho,

I think anyone that takes the time to post in a forum has some passion for technology and may consider themselves a fan for technology, hence a fanboy in some sense.

That's why I don't understand what the big deal truly is? As with passion of being a fan there may be extremism and close-minded, one-sided fans but that is part of the nature that is Forum lore.

If someone calls me a Fanboy -- okay, guilty as charged and not really an insult to me.

So many try to convince themselves they're not a fanboy. It's not the fanboyism that is the problem in forums but personal shots toward other members. If someone desires to support a company and even be one-sided -- so what? Engage the points and even one-sided extremist may bring in a good data point and discussion point.