SAN DIEGO, CA—A new nonprofit organization has just opened a facility in town that offers people from all over the world a new start. The foundation is called "Out of the Darkness," and focuses on assisting people to get back on their feet after becoming wholly dependent and often obsessed with Apple products.
Sheryl Updike, 64, the founder of the organization shared why her work is necessary. "Life is really precious. I can't stand to think of anybody missing out on it. I look at all of these young people who are stuck to their Facetime, who can't even navigate around with anything but Safari [browser], and who've no idea what a USB-C cord is. It's so tragic."
Updike set out to create a program that could act as a sort of halfway house for the people who have been caught up in the hype and habit-forming scheme of Apple products.
"It just pains me when I see another soul spending upwards of $1,000 for a device to which he can't even add a micro SD card for some additional memory. It's so awful what they put themselves through for that brand," added Updike.
Apple, which became a household name as one of the earliest computer companies, has made several products that have arguably changed the world, such as the digital music player called the iPod, and then expanded into cellular phones from which it is also impossible to transfer files to anything but another Apple product.
"I don't judge my clients, you understand. They come to me, just broken. They haven't a shred of humanity left in them after being coerced into subscribing to the iCloud, and having so many limited options for using the songs they purchased through iTunes. It breaks my heart. They are still good people, it's merely the system that has failed them," said Updike.
The foundation's approach toward reintegration was adapted from several addiction recovery programs as well as some programs that help to treat people who have left cults or cult-like societies. The first step is to slowly wean the users off of Facetime and Messages. They try not to transition them too quickly onto devices that actually allow them to make their own choices, as that can be overwhelming.
The foundation has a long waiting list. It's most common for parents to try and get their children to agree to the program, but it's also very common for spouses who use Android operating systems to ultimately ask their Apple-using partner to go through the program.
The organization touts much success on the smaller scale before opening this full-time, dedicated residential facility. "We have an excellent success rate. We do get about a 40% relapse rate within the first 6 months, but that's a little better than the methamphetamine treatment centers, so we must be doing something right," shared Updike.
She hopes that her work will inspire others to come forward and join the rest of humanity. "The chances are, you or someone you know and love is an Apple user. They may not be ready to come back to us yet—many of them don't even realize the degree of their brainwashing—but when they come to see themselves for what they've become, we'll be here with open arms, and much more customizeable features."