Ben Stiller's Severance: A Comparison Of Lumon Industries And Apple

Henrik Larsen

5 min read

Post on May 17, 2025

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The Cult of Secrecy: Lumon's Opaque Operations vs. Apple's Controlled Information Flow

Information Control and Confidentiality:

Lumon Industries operates shrouded in secrecy. The severance procedure itself is a mystery, a carefully guarded process that creates a stark division between an employee's "innie" and "outie" selves. Employees have virtually no access to information outside their designated department, fostering a climate of controlled ignorance. This extreme opacity is a core element of the show's unsettling atmosphere.

Apple, while not operating in the same dystopian realm, also maintains tight control over information. This is manifested in several ways:

• Non-Disclosure Agreements (NDAs): Apple rigorously employs NDAs to protect sensitive product information and internal processes.
• Controlled Leaks: Information about upcoming products and features is often strategically leaked to generate hype, but largely controlled by the company.
• Limited Public Access: Internal operations remain largely hidden from the public eye, limiting transparency.

The motives behind this secrecy differ significantly. Lumon's secrecy is a tool of control, preventing employees from understanding the broader implications of their work and maintaining the company's power structure. Apple's secrecy, while potentially limiting transparency, primarily aims to maintain a competitive edge and protect intellectual property. However, both entities prioritize controlled information flow, albeit for vastly different purposes, highlighting the potential for corporate secrecy to impact employee autonomy and public perception.

Technological Integration and Employee Surveillance: A Comparison of Lumon's Devices and Apple's Ecosystem

The Role of Technology in Monitoring and Control:

Lumon Industries employs invasive technology to an extreme degree. The severance procedure itself is a technological marvel, surgically separating an employee's memories and experiences. Beyond this, data-collecting devices monitor employees' every move within the Lumon building, blurring the lines between work and personal life. This technology is explicitly used to control and manipulate employee behavior and mental state.

Apple's ecosystem, while vastly different in its intent, also involves extensive data collection. iPhones, iPads, and other Apple devices constantly collect user data, often raising concerns about user privacy. While this data is used for personalized experiences and product improvement, it also represents a significant amount of personal information under Apple's control.

• Lumon's technology: Creates a nightmarish atmosphere of constant surveillance, fostering paranoia and suppressing individuality.
• Apple's data collection: While serving beneficial purposes, raises legitimate concerns about the scope and use of personal data collected.
• Ethical Implications: Both scenarios highlight the ethical implications of technological integration in the workplace. Lumon demonstrates the potential for dystopian control, while Apple’s practices spark ongoing debates about user privacy and data security.

While different in scale and intention, both entities leverage technology for monitoring and control, raising crucial questions about privacy, surveillance, and worker autonomy in the digital age.

Employee Welfare and Corporate Culture: Lumon's Toxic Environment vs. Apple's (Relative) Employee Perks

The Human Cost of Corporate Optimization:

Lumon Industries presents a stark picture of employee exploitation. Overwork, psychological manipulation, and a complete lack of work-life balance are the norm. The company prioritizes productivity above all else, resulting in a toxic environment that severely impacts employees' mental and physical health.

Apple, on the other hand, is often perceived as a desirable employer, offering competitive salaries, benefits packages, and a relatively positive public image. However, even Apple has faced criticism regarding working conditions, employee burnout, and accusations of exploitative practices.

• Lumon's oppressive environment: A clear example of how corporate optimization can come at a devastating human cost.
• Apple's employee treatment: While generally considered better than Lumon's, still faces scrutiny regarding working conditions and ethical concerns.
• Societal Implications: The contrasting corporate cultures highlight the vast spectrum of employee treatment within the tech industry and the societal implications of unchecked corporate power.

While Apple certainly faces criticism, the chasm between its employee benefits and Lumon's exploitative practices reveals the stark contrast between a relatively well-regarded tech giant and a dystopian corporate nightmare.

Severing the Illusion: Lessons from Lumon Industries and Apple

Ben Stiller's Severance serves as a powerful cautionary tale. While Lumon Industries represents a fictional extreme, the similarities to real-world corporate practices, particularly concerning secrecy, technological control, and employee welfare, are unsettling. Both Lumon and Apple, albeit in drastically different ways, demonstrate the potential for corporations to manipulate information, leverage technology for control, and shape the very nature of the employee experience.

This exploration of corporate power dynamics and their impact on individuals highlights the importance of ethical considerations in technological advancement and workplace practices. Unchecked corporate power can lead to dystopian outcomes, eroding individual autonomy and well-being. We must critically examine the implications of corporate practices and advocate for ethical technological development and fair labor standards.

We encourage you to further explore the themes presented in Ben Stiller's Severance and consider the implications of corporate practices on your own lives. Let's discuss the complexities of the modern workplace and the importance of ethical technological development—a crucial conversation to ensure a future where the realities of work don't mirror the chilling fiction of Lumon Industries.