Hypocrisy is one of the only things we absolutely despise in other people yet staunchly defend in ourselves. That’s the very definition of the word. Of course we can rationalize our own hypocritical behavior because we understand why we’re behaving a certain way.
What does this have to do with fanboyism? Let me tell you about how I became an Android enthusiast (ok, fanboy) and you’ll understand.
Tinkerability
Ever since I chose to use IBM compatible PC’s as a youngster, I’ve had an almost irrational feeling of negativity toward Apple as a company. Even back then I understood that the more open PC architecture was more in line with my way of thinking. I wanted to be able to open up my own computer and tinker with it, and the PC platform allowed for that. Apple, on the other hand, owned everything from the hardware to the software to the level of “tinkerability” with its more closed, proprietary system.
This closed system allowed Apple to develop a more highly polished end product since they didn’t have to worry about being compatible with anything other than themselves. From this walled garden arose a symbol of solid usability, security, and style. For many, that’s more than enough. For me, it was too rigid and limited. Tinkerability factor close to zero.
iWon’t. Ever.
In 2007, all my friends and co-workers were getting iPhones and praising its simplicity and usability. It irritated me, mostly because I knew they were right and their phones were way better than my Windows Mobile Moto Q9c. But I would not budge on principal alone. In my head, Apple was evil and I would never give in, ever. So, for a little while I was running around with a sub par phone experience telling myself that it was perfectly functional and totally usable. The growing iPhone fanaticism was also really getting on my nerves and added greatly to my negativity toward Apple and iPhones.
My Hero
Then, in October of 2009, Sprint released the HTC Hero and my life changed. Sure, I had seen the G1 before, but it felt unpolished and, frankly, too “bricky” for my tastes. But the Hero sparked something in me that I can only now see as a reaction to my disdain for anything from Cupertino. Suddenly, I felt there was a true competitor to Apple’s dominance in the smartphone market. And since it was the ONLY viable competitor, I literally jumped at the chance to get on board. So much so that I over-swung and became exactly what I hated most about the iPhone scene…a fanboy. I wear Android shoes. I have several Android t-shirts. I have Android figurines and wind up toys. I have a stuffed Android, Android notebooks, a laptop sleeve, an Android bumper sticker…the list goes on. I even design my own Android products! Yes, I’m an Android Fanboy in every sense of the word.
Passion and Warfare
I have no problem with my fanaticism since I don’t see it as anything but the expression of my enjoyment of the platform. But if I mentally reverse it and I think about an iPhone user in my place, I have a hard time with it. I know it sounds ridiculous. They have just as much right as I do to express their devotion to their platform of choice. Who am I to judge them?
Urban Dictionary defines fanboyism as “the collective outlook and behavior of a group of people concerning a subject…which when challenged results in an antagonistic, passionate, and unreasoned response.” Because of the disproportionate amount of devotion to a fanboy’s subject of choice, any opposing viewpoint is magnified and seen as a challenge to what they hold dear. This is human psychology. Our brains are just wired this way. From a neutral 3rd party’s point of view, both sides are exactly the same…both hypocritical and defensive, and both simply protecting what they feel passionately about. Sometimes our fanaticism can run so deep that our hatred of opposing beliefs becomes irrational. This is how wars get started.
Recognizing You Have a Problem
It’s only recently that I’ve come to realize that I’m just as bad as the hipsters I mentally berated. Both sides of this issue have every right to feel what they feel. Sure, I’ll still never buy an Apple product, but I have nothing against those who do. I still participate in jab sessions with iPhone friends and co-workers, but it’s all just good-natured ribbing. Besides, we all know in the end that Android rules and everything else drools. Fact.