We already know that Fanboys – those ardent defenders of even the most glaring faults in their systems of choice – love their systems. Now it’s suggested that they don’t just love them they’re in love with them.
That bizarre, irrational attachment that people have with brands and products is akin to being in love on a chemical level says Dr David Lewis-Hodgson, director of research at Mindlab International.
"Sometimes it’s like falling in love – what happens then is that you get a tsunami of a neurotransmitter called dopamine into the brain, which gives you a huge buzz,” he said in an interview with Kotaku UK. “This happens with products, they can do exactly the same thing – in fact when we look at addictive behaviour, we find that people become addicted to products. The sight and touch of the product gives them a dopamine high."
When you criticize the PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Pc or any other product and staunch defenders come out of the woodwork, what they’re doing is defending something they’re in love with, much like a spouse might leap to the defense of their paramour, which all explains quite a bit.
honestly though, I’m not sure this holds up to much scrutiny. To be honest, I think it has more to do with confirmation bias and the fact that people don’t like to feel like they’ve backed the wrong horse. Read the source piece though, for an illuminating piece on why it is that fanboys act like illogical jerks.
Last Updated: April 15, 2014
Rince Striving Abomination
April 15, 2014 at 13:35
Where is Pieter? Ah, probably spending some ‘quality’ time with his Bone? No, wait, what? 0-O
Hammersteyn
April 15, 2014 at 13:39
HAHAHAHA
http://d24w6bsrhbeh9d.cloudfront.net/photo/a7568ZA_460sa.gif
Rince Striving Abomination
April 15, 2014 at 13:41
HAHAHAHAHAH!
Sk3tz0
April 15, 2014 at 13:46
hahahahahahahahhahahahahahaaaaaaaaa
Jedi JJ
April 15, 2014 at 14:11
This is great
Admiral Chief in Space
April 15, 2014 at 14:13
TEH LOLZ!!!!
oVg Errorist
April 15, 2014 at 15:18
Is it just me but does the way he fingers the ring look a little wrong?
Alien Emperor Trevor
April 15, 2014 at 13:36
Well if you don’t want to back the wrong horse, then choose the one with the most horse power… PC!
Exalted Overlord Geoffrey Tim
April 15, 2014 at 13:44
check the article tags. You’ve just proven me right. 😛
Hammersteyn
April 15, 2014 at 13:45
Oh snap
Kensei Seraph
April 15, 2014 at 13:45
Haha. In our defence most people are born jerks.
Alien Emperor Trevor
April 15, 2014 at 13:45
I did see them, I don’t care ;P
Rince Striving Abomination
April 15, 2014 at 13:50
hahaha
Mossel
April 15, 2014 at 13:57
LOOL!
Jedi JJ
April 15, 2014 at 14:17
This is one of those things where saying it makes you one of them.
A jerk. Not a pc gamer. You don’t have what it takes to be that great. 😉
Truan Frames
April 15, 2014 at 15:34
Its not being a jerk if it is the truth 😀
Sk3tz0
April 15, 2014 at 13:45
But those Horse Up and die 6 months after purchasing them. 😛 then u gotta by the newer better horse with the shiney light coming out his bum.. and has 2 new white spots.. meh.. rather buy a horse thats reliable and still the same old happy work horse 4 yrs down the line.
Kensei Seraph
April 15, 2014 at 13:47
Sounds like you’re describing CoD.
Alien Emperor Trevor
April 15, 2014 at 13:47
So it still has the most horse power. If you’re happy driving your Fiat Uno why are you arguing then?
Sk3tz0
April 15, 2014 at 13:50
My Lady I’m not arguing im just saying..
Alien Emperor Trevor
April 15, 2014 at 13:56
Just messing with you 😀
VampyreSquirrel
April 15, 2014 at 13:49
Case in point… 😛
Alien Emperor Trevor
April 15, 2014 at 13:50
Yes, I’m glad you brought up case mods. Those things are awesome too!
Jedi JJ
April 15, 2014 at 14:21
LOL
Kromas
April 15, 2014 at 13:54
Well … it does have the most “peripherals” 😛
Alien Emperor Trevor
April 15, 2014 at 13:56
That vibrate! vrrrrrrrrrrrrrrmmmmmmrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr
Kromas
April 15, 2014 at 13:57
And they all use USB or Universal Sexual Bus. Get on the bus!
Alien Emperor Trevor
April 15, 2014 at 14:05
In parallel! None of that serial nonsense.
Jedi JJ
April 15, 2014 at 14:20
I’m not getting on a sexual bus with any one of the people here.
Kromas
April 15, 2014 at 14:26
There is a safe word. It is Star Citizen! 😛
Jedi JJ
April 15, 2014 at 14:42
That’s a swear word for the console players.
Kromas
April 15, 2014 at 14:45
And thus the main reason this pleasure bus will ride console peasant free for a long long time. 😛
Alien Emperor Trevor
April 15, 2014 at 14:51
Because the only stars they’re used to are DISA-STARS! #amirite
Jedi JJ
April 15, 2014 at 16:20
lol
And the only eclipse is the RROD? Right??
Jedi JJ
April 15, 2014 at 14:12
I think in this case it’s more like a griffon between tigers.
Alien Emperor Trevor
April 15, 2014 at 14:13
Because with enough cooling fans we can soar higher than an eagle!
Jedi JJ
April 15, 2014 at 14:15
Something like that.
InsanityFlea
April 15, 2014 at 13:40
Materialistic people. Sigh.
oVg Errorist
April 15, 2014 at 15:17
In a virtual world 🙂
Koos
April 15, 2014 at 13:40
so…that explains why Foxhound is going crazy sometimes 😛 hehehe
Hammersteyn
April 15, 2014 at 13:41
I’m a Sony fanboy first and foremost but it’s mostly because I truly feel that I get more from Sony than I do XBOX.
Koos
April 15, 2014 at 13:47
so, what your saying is that sony “Feels” better than a Xbone 😛
Hammersteyn
April 15, 2014 at 13:47
XD
Mossel
April 15, 2014 at 13:59
Honostly if I had to buy a console right now it would be a PS4. Sony exclusives own!
Matthew Holliday
April 15, 2014 at 14:02
tbh, I wouldnt really consider the exclusives.
I just wouldnt be able to handle buying an inferior product, I really dont feel like the xbone cuts it.
Would take some SERIOUS exclusives to make me consider the xbone.
Mossel
April 15, 2014 at 14:05
Exclusives is really my only reason for even considering buying an inferior product. Everything else my PC can do, and do better.
DieJason
April 15, 2014 at 13:54
Bloody loons…
Mossel
April 15, 2014 at 13:57
Agreed. No one likes hearing that their R8000 investment is utter crap.
Matthew Holliday
April 15, 2014 at 13:58
Pretty accurate, when I pick up a new PC part, Im smitten, I swoon.
If I could change my facebook relationship status to “New graphics card” I would.
Jedi JJ
April 15, 2014 at 14:19
Haha. I would love that option
Brenz
April 15, 2014 at 14:05
the day my PS can sexually satisfy me without me having to lift a finger, then I will be in love with it,until then, no to the above.
Mike
April 15, 2014 at 14:22
I think that’s available in the next version of kinect. It might be jerky and overheat, but call it a feature.
Jedi JJ
April 15, 2014 at 14:23
There’s a big problem though that we shouldn’t ignore.
Microsoft is going to force it on you.
fred
April 15, 2014 at 14:24
Yip , and the damn things let you down at times when you need them the most. My phat ps3 and I departed ways in which I cannot fathom until this day. One day a loving … and loved console and the next day it turns into a useless doorstop and it wasn’t even two years , no warnings , just like that my world turns upside down.
Jedi JJ
April 15, 2014 at 14:25
That’s how most relationships end. No warnings.
oVg Errorist
April 15, 2014 at 15:15
At least the 360 fan boys got to keep the Ring.
oVg Errorist
April 15, 2014 at 15:05
Am I the only one that does not give a hoot about the platform but more the game thats being played?
If The Last of Us was on the STEAM box I would be the first in line.
Admiral Chief in Space
April 15, 2014 at 15:10
hear hear, oVg, spouting truth! yo!
oVg Errorist
April 15, 2014 at 15:11
😉
Alien Emperor Trevor
April 15, 2014 at 15:26
If the truth is out there, and the truth will set you free, does that mean we’re not free?
oVg Errorist
April 15, 2014 at 15:38
Kind of like capitalism.
Alien Emperor Trevor
April 15, 2014 at 15:54
If that was capitalism there’d be a giant donkey shagging that one from behind while it’s on fire.
Gr8_Balls_o_KFM_Fire
April 16, 2014 at 09:26
You are not the only one.
MakeItLegal
April 15, 2014 at 22:06
If we all had , all the money and all the time in the world , then no fanboys would exist …
nonscpo
April 15, 2014 at 23:07
Does this rule apply to Handhelds cause there some folks who are way into their 3DS’s & VITAS, then again you see that too with the NVIDIA SHIELD but thats just a peripheral.