Student+-+Dunn,+B

The internet is cool and stuff.

Group I've chosen: **Mac Users.**

Why do people choose to belong to this? Because *nearly* everyone wants to belong somewhere, and this group defines itself as the glorious underdog, fighting the evil, money hoarding microsoft. It has also created some odd, cult like views that are "just better", or that they "Just work" (The Apple slogan). Buying a Mac dubbed PC (Windows computer) gives you a tool to work and socialise, but buying a Mac gives you not only the computer/tool but an entire culture and community to belong to.

Why do people choose not to belong? Many people actually belong to groups that exist as anti-mac. They have many reasons for this, and if one decides to look logically and unbiasedly, they will find many reasons to belong or not belong to either Windows or Mac. One reason is that they may be an enthusiastic gamer, and Macs are well known for not being able to play the majority of Windows based games. Macs also cost much more than Windows computers, sometimes twice or three times as much for the same hardware, and arguably more versitility in the Windows option, so although someone may be able to afford the Mac option, they see no benefits and don't.

What are the barriers that prevent belonging? The only applicable barrier here is money. Mac computers cost anywhere between $1k and upwards, and many people simply can't afford the most basic model because of their income.

How does this aspect of belonging reflect human experiences in the 21st century? This group reflects part of a much larger issue in the 21st century, brand alliegance. Millions of people worldwide lose millions of dollars, because instead of research, and buying the best price/value product possible, these consumers become loyal. They buy from the same company, time and time again because they "believe" in them. Clothes and other purely aesthetic possesions have always been status symbols, but in the 21st century, all products are using this aspect. Macintosh computers, are a hybrid of a status symbol and a tool. They are functional, but not as funtional as a Windows computer. They cost much more, but also come with the status symbol and prestige that many mac users love. This entitles these consumers to act somehow better than their fellow computer buyers, spending hundreds just on this.