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The Cult Effect

People are social animals. So it has been said. The socialization of the species has taken many forms over the eons. Religion has been the oldest guard where people flock to for variety of reasons but more for affiliation with like minded individuals. It is beneficial to the extent that the herd has a larger sway than a single person or even a handful of people. To change public opinion or to make regulation or demand change to status quo. Political affiliation is another popular cult. In today's day and age the polarity of thought is even more pronounced world over with financial security defining the views of the left vs. right and all the spaces in between. In modern times there have been variants of the above in the form of special interest groups, yoga retreats, Amway advances, ponzi schemers, artists of living, et al. Then there are the not so obvious but immensely popular versions (of the cult) like those created by the ultimate yogi - the Apple fans. Lining up outside their shrine (local Apple store) every year for the newest piece of magical silicon, glass and copper ever assembled (if you ask them) these species of believers relish the whole experience. The secondary and tertiary economies that benefit from this soon going global event herald the coming of the new idevice with much fanfare and free advertising. Its like Hawaii promoting tourism and cruise companies doing it for Hawaii - good business for all. Every one wants to say something about it so as to have the rub off effect. Today Fedex and UPS announced a significant bump in projected revenues purely due to all the Apples being shipped. Never did the farm community see that take off for the real fruit. So if you feel left out don't despair - just hang out at the local Apple store and soon you will have plenty of company.

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  1. An Apple (launch) a year keeps the couriers gay (as in happy).

    ReplyDelete

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