Severance: Ben Stiller Compares Lumon Industries To Apple

Omar Yusuf

5 min read

Post on May 17, 2025

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The Cult of Personality and Brand Loyalty: Lumon Industries vs. Apple

Both Lumon Industries and Apple meticulously cultivate strong brand identities, fostering an almost religious devotion among their respective employees and customers. Lumon, with its air of mystery and secretive practices, mirrors Apple's carefully crafted image of innovation and exclusivity. The show portrays an unwavering dedication from Lumon employees, both their "outies" (their everyday selves) and "innies" (their work selves), reflecting the passionate loyalty often seen in Apple's devoted customer base.

• Lumon's mysterious allure: The enigmatic nature of Lumon's work and its strict employee protocols create a sense of intrigue and exclusivity, similar to the carefully curated mystique surrounding Apple product launches and technological advancements.
• Unwavering employee dedication: Lumon employees exhibit intense loyalty, even in the face of disturbing and ethically questionable practices. This mirrors the almost cult-like following Apple enjoys among its consumers.
• The dark side of loyalty: The show highlights the potential downsides of such intense brand identification. Lumon's control over its employees borders on exploitation, a cautionary tale about the potential for manipulation when brand loyalty surpasses ethical considerations. This resonates with real-world concerns about the power of large corporations and their influence over consumers and employees.

[Insert image of Lumon Industries logo alongside the Apple logo]

Technological Control and Surveillance: A Comparison of Lumon's Practices and Apple's Data Collection

The ethical considerations surrounding technological control are central to both Severance and the real-world practices of Apple. Lumon's invasive severance procedure, surgically separating employees' work and personal memories, starkly contrasts yet mirrors Apple's extensive data collection practices.

• Surveillance levels: Lumon's complete control over its employees' work lives, even extending into their memories, is a dramatic exaggeration of the data tracking and surveillance performed by tech companies like Apple.
• Data privacy concerns: Both Lumon and Apple raise concerns about data privacy and the potential for the misuse of personal information. While Apple's data collection is primarily used for marketing and product improvement, the potential for exploitation remains a valid concern. The show serves as a chilling what-if scenario, highlighting the potential consequences of unchecked data access.
• Real-world controversies: The show's depiction of invasive surveillance can be compared to real-world controversies surrounding Apple's data collection and its potential impact on user privacy. Examples include debates surrounding iPhone data security and the implications of location tracking.

The Allure of the "Ideal" Workplace: Lumon's Promises vs. Apple's Reputation

Both Lumon and Apple present themselves as desirable employers, offering attractive perks and opportunities. However, Severance meticulously dissects the contrast between idealized images and the reality of the work environment.

• Surface-level appeal: Lumon offers wellness programs and seemingly generous benefits, superficially resembling the attractive employee benefits packages often touted by companies like Apple.
• Reality vs. Ideal: The show contrasts Lumon's seemingly idyllic work environment with the psychologically damaging effects of the severance procedure and the oppressive control exerted by management. This can be compared to critiques of Apple's workplace culture, including reports of intense pressure and demanding work environments.
• Potential for Exploitation: Both Lumon and, to a lesser extent, real-world tech giants demonstrate the potential for exploitation and manipulation inherent in the pursuit of productivity and profit. The show acts as a warning about the potential for corporations to prioritize profit over employee well-being.

Ben Stiller's Intentions: A Director's Commentary

While explicit statements from Ben Stiller directly comparing Lumon Industries to Apple are scarce, the show’s thematic elements strongly suggest a deliberate intention to explore the potential dark side of corporate power and technological control, using Apple as a recognizable and relevant touchstone for the audience. The unsettling similarities between Lumon's practices and the often-unseen aspects of large tech companies are a powerful commentary on the potential for manipulation and control within seemingly benign corporate environments.

Severance and the Apple Comparison: A Cautionary Tale

Severance masterfully uses the fictional Lumon Industries to create a cautionary tale, reflecting aspects of modern corporate environments and the ever-increasing power of technology. The comparison to Apple, though not explicitly stated by Ben Stiller in every detail, serves as a potent reminder of the potential for unchecked corporate power and the ethical dilemmas surrounding data collection and surveillance. The show's unsettling parallels force viewers to consider the potential consequences of prioritizing productivity and profit over employee well-being and data privacy. By understanding Severance and analyzing Lumon Industries, we can better understand the implications of Severance's powerful message and its relevance to our own technological landscape. Watch Severance and reflect on the potential parallels between fictional dystopias and the realities of modern corporate environments. The unsettling implications of Lumon Industries might just hit a little too close to home.