Exploring The Lumon Industries-Apple Parallel In Ben Stiller's Severance

Henrik Larsen

4 min read

Post on May 17, 2025

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Lumon's Technological Sophistication and Apple's Innovation

The "Severance" Procedure as a Metaphor for Technological Control

Lumon Industries' most striking feature is its "severance" procedure—a surgical separation of an employee's memories between their work and personal lives. This invasive technology is a chilling metaphor for the ever-increasing integration of technology into our lives, reflecting the pervasive influence of companies like Apple.

• Lumon's advanced technology: The mysterious "innie" and "outie" technology, the inexplicable waffle parties, and the pervasive surveillance within Lumon's walls represent a highly advanced, yet disturbing, technological control.
• Apple's cutting-edge technology: Compare this to Apple's own technological advancements: the iPhone's seamless integration into daily life, the Apple Watch's constant monitoring of health data, and the growing sophistication of Apple's AI capabilities.
• Control over data and experience: Lumon controls its employees' memories, shaping their experiences within the workplace. Similarly, Apple exerts considerable control over the user experience through its ecosystem, collecting vast amounts of user data in the process. The parallels here are unsettling, raising questions about the extent of technological control over individuals.

Corporate Culture: Lumon's Ominous Atmosphere and Apple's Cult of Personality

The Stifling Workplace Environment

Lumon Industries cultivates an overly controlled, almost dystopian work environment. This stark atmosphere is reflected in many critiques levelled at Apple's own demanding corporate culture.

• Lumon's bizarre corporate rituals: The mandatory waffle parties, the perplexing "break room" activities, and the overall feeling of surveillance create an environment of controlled conformity.
• Apple's intense work culture: Anecdotal evidence suggests a similarly demanding and high-pressure work environment at Apple, with long hours and intense pressure to innovate constantly.
• Cult-like devotion: Both Lumon and Apple foster a degree of cult-like devotion. Lumon employees are seemingly brainwashed into accepting their situation; meanwhile, Apple enjoys fervent loyalty amongst its customers, bordering on idolatry in some cases. This blind faith raises concerns about the potential for manipulation by powerful corporations.

Design and Aesthetics: A Comparison of Minimalist Aesthetics

Lumon Industries' workspace is characterized by a minimalist and sterile aesthetic, strikingly similar to Apple's own design philosophy.

• Visual similarities: Both entities utilize muted color palettes, clean lines, and an overall sense of order and simplicity in their respective designs. [Insert image comparison here: a side-by-side comparison of a Lumon Industries office space and an Apple store].
• Creating a sense of control: This minimalist aesthetic serves a purpose beyond mere aesthetics. It reinforces the sense of order and control—both over the environment and, by extension, the individuals within it. Both Lumon and Apple masterfully use design to instill a sense of calm and efficiency, masking the potential for underlying control.

The Implications of the Lumon Industries-Apple Parallel

Exploring the Ethical Concerns

The striking parallels between Lumon Industries and Apple raise significant ethical concerns. The show serves as a cautionary tale about the potential dangers of unchecked technological advancement and corporate power.

• Data privacy concerns: Both entities collect and utilize vast amounts of data, raising questions about privacy and potential misuse.
• Employee well-being: The impact of demanding work environments on employee mental and physical health is a significant ethical concern, present in both Lumon and Apple's contexts.
• Potential for manipulation: The potential for technological advancement to be used for manipulation and control, as seen in Lumon's severance procedure, is a chilling reflection of the ethical dilemmas faced by powerful tech companies. Severance forces us to consider the human cost of technological progress.

Reflecting on the Lumon Industries-Apple Parallel in Severance

The Lumon Industries-Apple parallel highlights the striking similarities between a fictional dystopia and a real-world tech giant. While the methods differ, the underlying themes of technological control, intense corporate cultures, and the potential for manipulation resonate deeply. Lumon Industries serves as a potent warning about the potential negative impacts of unchecked technological advancement and corporate power, mirroring the concerns surrounding companies like Apple.

Continue the conversation about the chilling Lumon Industries-Apple parallel. Explore the unsettling implications of the Lumon Industries model in the context of modern tech companies. Share your thoughts on the disturbing parallels between Lumon Industries and Apple. Watch Severance, read critical analyses, and join the discussion about the future of technology and corporate responsibility.