The ps3...has it lost any chance of it getting 2nd or 3rd place?

[sinha]

rocketpig said:

choirsoftheeye said:

I think the fanboyism and brand loyalty is spawned from the same part of the human psyche as loyalty to professional sports teams. Which, when you actually think about it, is a ridiculous concept. But - it's fun.

That analogy only works on a base level. More often than not, sports loyalties lay on a regional basis and much of sports fanaticism comes from a "my suburb/city/state/country is better than yours", not a "company a is better than company b, even though we can both buy the exact same product anywhere".

There's a certain pride that comes from seeing your home team do well because, in many cases, they are a representation of the city and the people within. The same thing doesn't apply to products or companies because they're universal and have no ties to a region or city (well, other than their corporate base but that's such a small part that it doesn't apply).

I just don't get brand fanaticism, that's all. Will I buy products because the company usually produces high quality pieces, such as Apple? Yes, but that's based on my experiences with the company and the second they stop producing quality products that I want, I'll stop buying their crap.

I'm as loyal to a company as they are to me; in other words, I buy stuff that works well and has features I desire and the second the company stops providing those services to me, I stop providing them with my money.

But the "my geographical region is better than yours" thing is stupid as well because professional sports teams don't represent their cities and the people within.  They're hired mercinaries, the vast majority of whom are most likely from outside the region.

But there are still good reasons to root for one sports team over another.