Buyers vs. Users

I've been tossing my head around like a salt shaker, but I can't get this article out of my brain. It was a just a simple technology piece in a newspaper Business section, but its implications were profound. It was about how "buyers" are different than "users."

Human nature drives product developers to drink. Why? Because we're all two people. When we consider buying a product, we want to feel like we're getting as much as possible for the money. So product developers pack millions of features into a single device to persuade us to choose it over simpler products. On the other hand, when we bring that same product home and start using it, we want simplicity. We quickly get frustrated with all those annoying features, we despise the product, and we bring it back.

I can't help but think that this is a metaphor for something. I mean, imagine how the "buyer" vs. "user" principle plays out in relationships.

Introducing the new comedy from Judd Apatow. He's a successful product developer. She's a picky personal shopper. Can his product attract her attention? After she takes it for a spin, will she still like it, or will she take it back? See "Buyer's Remorse," in theaters Friday...