How Apple Tricked All Of US
Apples are quite interesting. They say “an apple a day keep the doctor away,” but we also used them as kids to bite into when we had a loose tooth. Quite the double-edged sword. And yet, we can’t stay away from them. Just like Apple products.
Chances are you have an Apple product, considering Apple passed the billion-active-apple-products milestone back in 2014. Keep in mind, there is about 7.5 billion people in the world right now. Which begs the question, “Are we the ones truly in control?”
The other day I was at the park, and I saw two parents with two of their children. Both parents were on their phones, as a little boy also looked down, holding a smart phone, apparently playing “Pokémon Go.” I could not see if there was a kid in the stroller, but wouldn’t be too shocked if I saw a 2-week old baby scrolling on a smart phone as well (okay, maybe I’d be a little surprised).
Now, I am not going to bash these parents, or even bash all of technology. Apple products and other technological innovations have provided the world with some great tools. However, is it not a little sad that little kids are growing up with their eyes fixated on screens, instead of running through parks scraping their knees?
To be fair, there were many children and parents at the park not doing this. But it is a little disheartening to see what we have become as a society, and to see what the next generation is growing into. And I am part of the problem.
Let’s say I live to 76 years old (the average male life-span). If I am on my phone for 145 minutes (average amount of time for device use) every day for 76 years, that adds up to 7.65 years. That number increases to 11.875 years for heavy users who use their devices for 225 minutes per day.
Sure, all of these phones or devices may not be Apple products, but the odds of them being Apple are better than not. In fact, according to a report from New York City-based investment firm Canaccord Genuity, a couple of years ago Apple brought in 93 percent of the handset industry’s total measurable profits. Soooo ya. They pretty much rule over the phone business.
So how has Apple tricked us? You might ask.
The name “Apple” was decided by Steve Jobs during one of his fruitarian diets, and he felt that the name was “fun, spirited and not intimidating.” This idea came to mind after he had visited an apple farm.
The original Apple logo is not what you recognize today. It was this logo designed by Ron Wayne in 1976. He was named as one of the three founders of Apple, but sold his shares for $800 bucks. Oops.
The logo we all recognize was designed by a man named Rob Janoff. Inexplicably one of the most recognizable brand logos, this tiny little Apple with a chunk missing has swept the world.
The whole thought behind why there is a chunk missing from the apple was strictly for scale. Janoff didn’t want people to mistake this fruit for a cherry or berry, and the bite leaves people with no doubt. But, is there some symbolism even deeper than this?
Although the bite’s sole purpose was to differentiate the apple from other fruits, it also gives off the hint that someone has just taken a bite from the fruit. Someone has consumed it.
Us consuming the apple, but not the apple consuming us.
Ironically, it feels a lot like we are the ones becoming consumed by Apple. The iPhones and iPads intrude our daily lives, fighting for our attention with every ring and notification. Apple devours our boredom, entrancing us with new apps, updates and upgrades.
Yes. We consume. But, are we also being consumed?
May be time to stop biting as much into the Apple. We may be losing more than just teeth.
