The Science Behind Fanboyism

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Posted by Soulskill on Friday July 15, 2011 @02:07AM from the wile-e-coyote-was-a-slave-to-brain-chemistry dept.

crookedvulture writes "We've all encountered fanboys. They lurk on messageboards and in comment threads, ready to trumpet the benefits of their product or brand of choice with Cheeto-stained fingertips. And it's not their fault. This analysis of the scientific research on the subject reveals that our brains unconsciously develop an affinity for products we choose over similarly attractive alternatives. Duh, right? But what's really interesting is that this affinity exists not just among adults, but also children, monkeys, and even amnesic subjects with no memory of their original choices. We're all hard-wired to be fanboys, it seems. Some of us just do a better job of overcoming our subconscious tendencies."

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Why Cheeto-stained? by Wolvenhaven · 2011-07-15 02:09 · Score: 5, Funny

When clearly Doritos are the superior snack food.

--
Orwell was an optimist.
1. Re:Why Cheeto-stained? by idontgno · 2011-07-15 02:12 · Score: 4, Funny
  
  And by "Doritos" you mean the only true Doritos, the Taco flavor ones. Every other product in that line is a waste of perfectly good corn triangles, an abomination, the spawn of Anti-Dorito.
  You do mean the Taco Flavor ones, right? Or are you one of the infidels?
  
  --
  Welcome to the Panopticon. Used to be a prison, now it's your home.
2. Re:Why Cheeto-stained? by jellomizer · 2011-07-15 02:43 · Score: 4, Funny
  
  That is because Supermodels actually like Doritos more, But if they are in the house they will eat them and become fat. They cannot stand the vial nastiness of Cheetos thus will prefer men who eat those as it will not effect their diet and livelihood.
  Although Supermodel is an interesting profession... Most people get jobs to put food on the table, The requirement for a Supermodel is to keep as much food off the table as possible.
  
  --
  If something is so important that you feel the need to post it on the internet... It probably isn't that important.
Still out on... by surgen · 2011-07-15 02:12 · Score: 4, Funny

Is there any research into what turns affinity for a product into to the need to be a dick about it?
Troll! by loftwyr · 2011-07-15 02:18 · Score: 3, Funny

I mean really, this whole article is just an excuse for the trolls to come out and say how good their fanboyism is versus all the other fanboys.
I've never seen such an obvious pitch for vi, Windows, and Ubuntu
Re:Tribalism by jhoegl · 2011-07-15 02:26 · Score: 5, Funny

I am the Exception that proves the rule. I am no follower
I lead by picking the best tool for the job.
Would a fanboi of the philips screwdriver use it instead of a flathead on a flathead screw?
So why use Windows in a case where Linux is superior, and Windows where Linux is superior?
Being a "fanboi" has its limitations, as fanaticism can lead to many bad things.
Stop hampering your visions with your emotional love for an inanimate object. Use your brain son!
Re:Wish I had mod points. by jellomizer · 2011-07-15 02:54 · Score: 2, Funny

So are you a Fanboy Fanboy, or a a Hater Hater?

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If something is so important that you feel the need to post it on the internet... It probably isn't that important.
Re:Tribalism by jhoegl · 2011-07-15 03:00 · Score: 4, Funny

Curse you Freud!!!!
Re:Why Cum-stained? by cgeys · 2011-07-15 03:05 · Score: 1, Funny

I love Apple because when you use Apple's products you come out as intelligent person. You aren't like a normal person who is only able to use Windows, but neither you are a nerd that uses Linux. With Apple's products you can really just go out with your iPad, sit down at the coffee shop and wait for girls to come talk to you.