Hello iPhone, Goodbye Dove & Olive Branch

For centuries, humans of similar and non-similar cultures have needed a means to signify compromise, apology, a peaceful relationship.  Greek mythology tells us that Athene set forward a standard for this sort of gesture in an olive branch, planting an olive tree in agreeing to help found Acropolis.   The olive tree's branch has ridden a long and consistent trail of peace-bearing ever since.   

Even a pretty and purity conjuring bird hasn't been able to unseat the olive branch's seat on the peace and reconciliation throne, having to share the honor in many instances. 

Ancient Olympians were awarded an olive branch crown, Romans used it to adorn their currency, and artists all the way to Christ's day used the olive branch often in their works.   It's had quite a consistent history among western cultures, which you can get a cursory read on through Wikipedia.

However, I'm starting to wonder if the olive branch may have a new modern competitor for an article, which holds such great yearning from so many western, and eastern, cultures- The Apple iPhone.

Let's start a new section to Wikipedia's entry on the olive branch or the dove:  "How the iPhone took over".

1. Apple's invention is also often white, the bi-partisan, non-denominational, all-colors-in-one color that continues to carry a peaceful calm.
2. The iPhone is universally coveted, not only in western cultures, but in eastern cultures as well.  Heck, the thing has a decent design, and utility factor - even some alien culture from Pluto probably digs it.
3. The little white brick is often given as an award, be they a science fair winner, conference attendee, or caller 98 to the local FM station.  The last is unlikely to be a future caller, as with an iPhone a radio is rendered obsolete. iPhones are at the top of the gift list for a remarkably wide demographic...even children as young as 6 have them as their most desired gift.
4. People literally love their iPhones.  This quality really puts the iPhone over the top in the dove vs. olive branch vs. iPhone smackdown.   Passion, dependence, and bonding all come about for some through their iPhone.   It brings people together to create, share moments, socialize, and it even gives some purpose.  

Is item 4 above really a stretch, you ask?   Have a gander at this 2012 CNN article, wonderfully peppered with quotes from people about iPhones...

"In what's become an annual rite, thousands of diehard fans of Apple's iconic smartphone endured long overnight lines outside Apple retail stores around the world to be among the first Friday to buy the new iPhone 5." "Throngs of shoppers lined up outside Apple stores in Sydney, Australia; Tokyo; London; Paris; and Munich, Germany, among other cities where the phone went on sale." (Global admiration and ownership aspiration)

"Kelson Horton, 39, had been in line at Lenox Square mall in Atlanta since 5 p.m. Thursday.The truck driver from Jonesboro, Georgia, said he's done so for every iteration of the smartphone that Apple CEO Steve Jobs introduced to the world in 2007. "I've been doing it since Day One," Horton said. "It's the experience more than anything. It just happens to be the hottest phone on the market.  Near the front of a line of about 200 people Friday morning, Horton said he got about an hour's worth of sleep while meeting new friends from what he called "the iPhone family.""  (Societal and cultural identity, bonding, family)

"I've been waiting since midnight, so 12 hours now," said Fahir Wardak, a 21-year-old student. "I haven't really eaten but it wasn't that cold and I've got some tea now so it's alright."And why was his 12-hour wait necessary? "I've already got the iPhone 4S and a MacBook Pro so it's like having a collection really," he added. "You just want to keep going along with it."  (Desire outweighs even basic human needs)

"It's almost like a festival, people just camping in the center of Ginza, just drinking and playing and talking to each other," said Taiyo Nakashima, a 34-year-old Web designer. "It's not really just buying the phone; it's just enjoying the party, really."  (Not about the device as much as the experience, entertainment derived from iPhone camaderie)

Imagine - iPhone for Peace

Sure, there have some issues that arose due to the demand for the iPhone - people getting too aggressive in attempts to become an owner, the lack of peace on patents, and theft, but generally, these little electronic boxes are for what's good in mankind.   

Apple clearly has helped the world advance with its little iPhone wonder. Perhaps John Lennon was even more visionary than we knew when he and fellow Beatles created "Apple" Corps / Apple Records in 1968, going on to record songs like Give Peace a Chance, and Imagine on it.  (joking) Some Apple admirers seem to been even more liberal in the use of their imagination...

The iPhone is well on its way to unseating the dove and olive branch.  Soon we just may see them handed along with medals to triumphant olympians and made as peace offereings among middle eastern enemies.   Perhaps an iPhone will make it on the backside of a $100 bill. That is, provided it doesn't become a currency all it's own - reviewing Apple's stock performance may convince you of that.   Imagine, indeed.