Jeknilah
What purpose would there be in gaslighting something like this out of nowhere? Genuine question.
Most people, including myself, prefer their own version of reality. You are promoting a version of reality that I do not find tasteful at all. With conflicting realities, meaningful disagreement is impossible and the only thing I can do is question the narratives that oppose my own.
More generally, ego also plays a huge part in why people do this. Apple has a significant following that will defend its every decision. It's brand has become personal identity for a lot of people. To the extent where I've been seeing news articles over the past two years about teenagers being bullied for using Android. This also happens to be the reason why people point their finger at Apple; because Apple users are the main group with such a distinct identity.
What is this gaslighting you're trying to pull here? You're really going to pretend that Apple fanboys don't exist and instead start criticising some sort of perceived toxicity from a "hate cult" against Apple? That's before you get into some bizarre Google strawman. The reality is that these Apple fanboys with values antithetical to software freedom exist, and want walled gardens everywhere.
But it was. With Don Lemon and the Cuomo.
Yeah. I usually go to the Playstore to buy out all the In-App purchases and support development, but this is really discouraging.
For Google photos/Contacts in particular, the gallery app was good because it would constantly ask to sync photos to the cloud.
Well, I'm not sure which out-group you're a part of to conclude this. I don't think things are that bleak. For most of the out-groups being targeted, a coalition exists in the urban areas where they'll at least be tolerated. A bastion of progressives or people with common identities to rally around. It's hard to imagine places like NYC, LA, etc. otherwise.
But this is why I hate politics. Everyone who organizes, screws around with power. I don't believe there's any "side" that will stand with me in a time of need, or any group to rally around. The only people who will stand for my interests is myself and the few people I can persuade. If you're this alone, the only thing you can really do is try not draw attention. Don't even bother voting.