"Fanboys", or, People with Unnatural Attachments to Inanimate Objects

[Boozy]

I don't "hate" this exactly, but it does often leave me shaking my head:

Why do people care about what other people think when it comes to their possessions?

Example: My husband wanted to get a gaming console. So he does his research, and finally decides that the XBox 360 will fulfill his gaming needs. That was where the discussion of XBox vs. PS3 vs Wii ended in my household. We no longer care about the merits of other systems, because we are out of the market. We spent our gaming console budget on an XBox, and we like it.

We don't get upset when someone says that PS3 is better. We don't feel the need to defend our purchase anymore than we feel the need to explain why we bought Lysol instead of Mr. Clean at the grocery store yesterday.

I also don't care if people don't like my car, my computer, or my shoes. These are material objects, and my self-worth as a human being is not measured by how many people like my stuff. My identity is what I say it is, not what some corporate marketing machine tells me it should be.

And I don't care if other people don't use the same stuff as me. I mean, if you're a Mr. Clean kind of person, that's all right with me. I don't think any less of you or your intelligence. I'm not going to get on to soapbox and hold forth about the merits of Lysol. If we're going to debate, shouldn't it be about something that matters?

[AFPheonix]

Heh heh heh....

There's a perfect example a few threads down with Mac lovers and Windows lovers going at it.

Jesus people, it's an OS, not the second coming of Christ.

[claidhmore]

Just one console? Wow...



People will get worked up about just about anything. When you lay down $400+ dollars, though, you want to feel like you spent it on something other than a doorstop. That and some people take their gaming seriously (I'd be one of them!) so of course if you take something seriously you're going to have detracters. (detractors? bleh, monday brain no good)

If you had listed something you were passionate about (you don't seem to be a hardcore gamer nor I'm assuming a hardcore scrubber ) then you may see why some people get like that. And if you want to have your mind blown, imagine all of the people arguing about which GAME is best. It's not even the inanimate object, it's all the pretty colors they're arguing about. And MMOs are even worse!

[ArenaBoy]

Why do people care about what other people think when it comes to their possessions?

People tend to get a tribalism attitude towards things, no matter how hilarious they are.

Now I'll admit that I tend to get somewhat defensive about my computer but that's because usually I get a lot of stick for it and it gets annoying. And usually people's prior experience with a different thing results in that the last time they tried something different it was at a time when mullets were popular.

[Seshat]

If you had listed something you were passionate about (you don't seem to be a hardcore gamer nor I'm assuming a hardcore scrubber ) then you may see why some people get like that.

I can't think of any thing I would feel that way about. Even my mobility scooter, which I am passionate about - it gives me freedom! But my scooter suits my needs. Of course other people choose other scooters, or get theirs fitted out differently: they have different needs!

No two people are the same, why should their stuff be the same? That's why I don't understand OS or console fights. Nor, for that matter, do I understand people who think I should have their religion, their sexual orientation, or their chosen lifestyle. I'm me, they're them, what's the big deal?

So yeah - if anyone can explain why I should give a damn about which gaming console someone else has, maybe that person can give the rest of it a try.

[Millahtyme1983]

I never really understand that sentiment either. I don't really get crazy about the inanimate objects such as computer or car I chose to buy, but I get upset when somebody acts like I'm a moron for my choice, as if theirs was the only "right" one.

Different people have different opinions, and different reasons for choosing things. Just because you like "X" better does not make it better and does not make anyone who goes with "Y" a moron using an inferior product. Usually I find that "X's" strong points are "Y's" weak points and vice versa, so really they balance out and it's just a question of what you personally need the product to be stronger in. This is true for gaming consoles, computers, cars, cleaning products & anything else you can possibly buy.

[claidhmore]

I can't think of any thing I would feel that way about. Even my mobility scooter, which I am passionate about - it gives me freedom! But my scooter suits my needs. Of course other people choose other scooters, or get theirs fitted out differently: they have different needs!

No two people are the same, why should their stuff be the same? That's why I don't understand OS or console fights. Nor, for that matter, do I understand people who think I should have their religion, their sexual orientation, or their chosen lifestyle. I'm me, they're them, what's the big deal?

And therein lies the rub - you're very laissez-faire about stuff, and that's good and you deserve a cookie for it. Other people, not so much. Honestly I think some people just like arguing about stuff.

[AFPheonix]

It's the same reason that balding men get very large, fast cars:



small penis syndrome.

[IDrinkaRum]

OMG .. the CCG players & the RPG players are the same way!

I have Yu Gi Oh! players who have to fondle each and every booster pack in the box before they decide which ones to buy.

As for the RPGers, you can. not. touch. their. dice. It'll start rolling badly. No more d20s for them. They'll have to go through another hundreds of dollars worth of dice to find the perfect polyhedral set of dice for them to play again.

Oh! The huge manatee!

[MadMike]

People will get worked up about just about anything. When you lay down $400+ dollars, though, you want to feel like you spent it on something other than a doorstop.

I guess that makes a bit of sense.

You should see some of the arguments going on at some other boards about HD vs Blu-Ray. It's gotten even uglier since HD is all but dead now, and the Blu-Ray fans are gloating about it.

[Giggle Goose]

I
I also don't care if people don't like my car, my computer, or my shoes. These are material objects, and my self-worth as a human being is not measured by how many people like my stuff. My identity is what I say it is, not what some corporate marketing machine tells me it should be.

I couldn't have said it better myself.

Unfortunately, this society is so object-obsessed that it's really sad. It starts with buying the best brand of clothes when a child is born, etc., etc., ad nauseam.

Kids today are "popular" if they have the best clothes, accesories, etc. In high school it was all about the kid that had the best car, or the biggest house to have parties at. It wasn't until I reached adulthood when I discovered that I was surrounded by materialistic people. Now I just shake my head when I see people getting their undies in a bunch over computers, clothes, and gadgets; especially cell phones. Oh. My. God. No one cares about your iPhone. I'm not getting one.

I'm grounded by my values, character, and integrity. These are things that won't be taken away in a flood, natural disaster, or robbery; and they don't lose value...in fact, I've found their value has grown and enriched as time has gone on.

I know this sounds mad corny and sentimental, but this old lady customer got all teary-eyed when I told her I was graduating from college and said: "Remember, your education is something nobody can EVER take away from you." Thanks for teaching me what matters, sentimental granny!

[Dreamstalker]

I have Yu Gi Oh! players who have to fondle each and every booster pack in the box before they decide which ones to buy.

Some D&D Miniatures game players will weigh booster packs in the hopes of getting one of the heavy rare figures. Of course since Wizards introduced uncommon figures that are about the size and weight of some of the desirable rares, that tactic doesn't work so well anymore...(although I used that very method to pull three rares that I can't use, but can sell for about $100 total)

As for the RPGers, you can. not. touch. their. dice.

I have a dice set with the Elder Sign on them, and an extra D10 with the Yellow Sign. For some reason I don't really have to worry about people trying to steal those...

[protege]

It's the same reason that balding men get very large, fast cars:



small penis syndrome.

Yep, that's why Corvettes and Vipers keep selling well

...and yes, I do own a sports car. For those who don't know, I have an old MGB GT that I've nearly finished restoring. Did I get it to impress people? Nope. To me, that car is a *reward* for working hard all those years and putting myself through college.

That car has also been a part of my family since about 1979 or '80, so it's really more of a member of the family. It's not the same without it around. When that car came into my life, it wasn't really anything special--it was just another old car. As such, very little was done to it...and it eventually fell into disrepair, mainly because my father never drove it.

Imagine my surprise when June, 2004 rolls around, and I get handed the keys on my birthday! Even though the car was a wreck (blown engine, lots of rust, etc.) I was freaking ecstatic! I'd wanted to drive that car for *years* and now it was finally mine! (And right about now, everyone's probably going...shut up you lucky bastard )

But seriously, for me, it's all about the past. Too many memories of working with my father on the car. Too many memories of being driven around in it. I didn't really get to spend much time with Dad when I was younger--he was usually working, multiple jobs in some cases...so I guess it's my connection to him. There's also something about how it goes. Maybe it's sitting on the floor feeling like you're doing 100, even though the speedometer reads 40, maybe it's the ticking of the fuel pump under the rear seat, being strapped in tight by the racing-style harness, who knows.

With all that said, I'm sure I could have bought a first-generation Miata with the cash I've sunk into the restoration...and I'll *never* get that money back if I sold it. Fine by me, since I don't plan on letting it go

...and getting back on topic here. What annoys the hell out of me at car shows, are the rich bastards. These fools will buy a brand-new Corvette (or Porsche, or Mercedes, BMW, etc.) join the local club, and park their new ride for all to see. In other words, they get off on seeing their name on the windshield and act like smug bastards.

Because of that, it's *exactly* why I don't even look at 99.9% of those cars--why the hell do I want to see row after row of new cars? I just can't respect people who do that. Show me a car that's been restored from a total wreck, not something any idiot can buy out of a showroom! Bring on the Porsche 356s, the VW Beetles, other MGs, etc.

[Seshat]

That car has also been a part of my family since about 1979 or '80, so it's really more of a member of the family. It's not the same without it around. When that car came into my life, it wasn't really anything special--it was just another old car. As such, very little was done to it...and it eventually fell into disrepair, mainly because my father never drove it.

And when we have this house sorted out a bit better, I'm claiming my grandmother's coffee table. For the same reason: I've probably spent years of my life around that table, and I want it in my home. I'll feel closer to her when I have it.

But without that sentimental attachment, it's just an old coffee table that definitely needs a sanding, a coat of varnish, and possibly even taking apart and regluing.

[SportinGoods]

Some D&D Miniatures game players will weigh booster packs in the hopes of getting one of the heavy rare figures. Of course since Wizards introduced uncommon figures that are about the size and weight of some of the desirable rares, that tactic doesn't work so well anymore...(although I used that very method to pull three rares that I can't use, but can sell for about $100 total)

I have a dice set with the Elder Sign on them, and an extra D10 with the Yellow Sign. For some reason I don't really have to worry about people trying to steal those...

Ot:
I keep three sets of dice, (D&D, and a Shadowrun and VtM set for nostalgia) but I don't think I've ever known anyone that wanted to touch or pilfer them. They just go "Your a girl with dice, your weird". Or, I let people use them when we would have Saturday night games, because someone always forgot theirs. I admit to spending too much money on dice however, because I wanted puuuuurty ones.