niconiconi* The "Growth" Model
* AMD64: When a processor project is announced, the hardware exists only as a slideshow - not as a physical reality. Tech otakus follow the news out of anticipation for the emergence of a "legendary chip," finding joy in witnessing the journey from nothing to something.
* AKB48: When an idol project is announced, the members exists only as newly selected amateurs rather than established stars; idol otakus follow the news out of anticipation for the emergence of the "Kami 7," finding joy in witnessing the journey from nothing to something.
* Timelines
* AMD64: The worlds of software and gaming are open-ended; if you lose touch for a year, you might not even recognize the names of the creators behind the latest "masterpiece," creating a sense of insecurity. In contrast, hardware release cycles and products are controlled by manufacturers, following fixed schedules and roadmaps - such as the ITRS roadmap or TSMC process nodes. A typical cycle lasts about 18 months, though during the "golden age" of Dennard scaling (2000s) and the early Tick-Tock era (early 2010s), releases could happen as frequently as once a year. As long as you follow the "nodes," it is hard to fall behind. If disappointed, you can always tell yourself to "wait for the next generation."
* AKB48: The world of pop music is open-ended; if you lose touch for a year, you might not even recognize the names of the artists behind the latest "smash hit," creating a sense of insecurity. In contrast, idol activity cycles and artists themselves are controlled by management, following fixed schedules and roadmaps - such as single releases, rock-paper-scissors tournaments, and general elections. While a full cycle might span a year or two, singles are deliberately released multiple times a year. As long as you follow these "nodes," it is hard to fall behind. If disappointed, you can always tell yourself to "wait for the next single."
* Remark: The key difference is that idol timelines are artificially set, allowing idols to maintain visibility at shows between nodes, whereas semiconductor process timelines show no products at all between nodes. Process nodes are ultimately constrained by physics without freedom for artificial dramas, with increasingly longer timelines.
* Idols You Can Meet
* AMD64: One reason processor projects garner attention is the desire to witness a journey of creation from scratch - satisfying the expectations of tech otakus. Another reason is that by paying, tech otakus can actually use the new generation of processors when building their own PCs, rather than using them only by renting a server on a distant cloud. Seeing the improved processor feels almost like the chip is working for their fans at a personal level. This is "Personal Computing" by definition.
* AKB48: One reason idol projects garner attention is the desire to witness a journey of stardom from scratch - satisfying the expectations of idol otakus. Another reason is that by paying, idol otakus can attend regularly-scheduled local theater performances or use handshake tickets to meet the idols in person, rather on seeing them only on TV or waiting for an occasional live performance in a distant city. Seeing the idols improve with each handshake feels almost like the idol is working for their fans at a personal level. This is "Idols You Can Meet" by definition.
* Group Competition
* AMD64: Processor competition takes place in groups, categorized in various ways. Traditional divisions include "Red Team" and "Blue Team," though others are organized based on market needs - such as Team 3, 5, and 7. Additionally, Nvidia is viewed as a spin-off group within the PC ecosystem. ARM64 emerged as a new rival, yet the companies behind the scenes overlap significantly, and are all produced by TSMC.
* AKB48: Idol competition takes place in groups, categorized in various ways. Traditional divisions include Team A, K, and B, though others are organized for specific events, such as "Under Girls" and "Upcoming Girls." Additionally, SKE48 is viewed as a spin-off group within the AKB48 series. Nogizaka46 emerged as a new rival, yet the companies behind the scenes overlap significantly, and are all produced by Yasushi Akimoto.
* Variety Shows
* AMD64: To fill the gaps between major events for boosting popularity among tech otakus, YouTube channels often produce entertaining variety shows centered on PCs. Unless one is already familiar with technology, these segments can look like bizarre antics or awkward small talk, which is baffling to outsiders. Program formats vary widely-ranging from reading viewer comments and hosting competitions between members to product reveals-as seen in LinusTechTips' Scrapyard Wars and PC or No PC series.
* AKB48: To fill the gaps between major events for boost their popularity among idol otakus, TV channels often produce entertaining variety shows featuring idols. Unless one is already familiar with the idols, these segments can look like bizarre antics or awkward small talk, which is baffling to outsiders. Program formats vary widely-ranging from answering viewer mail and hosting competitions between members to new project announcements-as seen in NTV's AKBINGO!.
* General Elections
* AMD64: The release of a new generation of products is the most thrilling moment for tech otakus, who rush to watch reviews the instant they drop. Discussions and predictions abound even before the review embargo is lifted. Once the reviews are out, casual observers focus on performance rankings, while hardcore enthusiasts dissect SPEC2017 sub-tests on forums - often amidst heated arguments between rival factions.
* AKB48: The announcement of "General Election" results is the most thrilling moment for idol otakus, who rush to watch the live broadcast. Discussions and predictions abound even before the votes are tallied. Once the results are in, casual fans focus on an idol's improvement of their abilities and their ranking changes, while hardcore fans dissect vote counts and regional voting trends on forums - often amidst heated arguments between rival factions.
...To be continued (1/3)
* AMD64: When a processor project is announced, the hardware exists only as a slideshow - not as a physical reality. Tech otakus follow the news out of anticipation for the emergence of a "legendary chip," finding joy in witnessing the journey from nothing to something.
* AKB48: When an idol project is announced, the members exists only as newly selected amateurs rather than established stars; idol otakus follow the news out of anticipation for the emergence of the "Kami 7," finding joy in witnessing the journey from nothing to something.
* Timelines
* AMD64: The worlds of software and gaming are open-ended; if you lose touch for a year, you might not even recognize the names of the creators behind the latest "masterpiece," creating a sense of insecurity. In contrast, hardware release cycles and products are controlled by manufacturers, following fixed schedules and roadmaps - such as the ITRS roadmap or TSMC process nodes. A typical cycle lasts about 18 months, though during the "golden age" of Dennard scaling (2000s) and the early Tick-Tock era (early 2010s), releases could happen as frequently as once a year. As long as you follow the "nodes," it is hard to fall behind. If disappointed, you can always tell yourself to "wait for the next generation."
* AKB48: The world of pop music is open-ended; if you lose touch for a year, you might not even recognize the names of the artists behind the latest "smash hit," creating a sense of insecurity. In contrast, idol activity cycles and artists themselves are controlled by management, following fixed schedules and roadmaps - such as single releases, rock-paper-scissors tournaments, and general elections. While a full cycle might span a year or two, singles are deliberately released multiple times a year. As long as you follow these "nodes," it is hard to fall behind. If disappointed, you can always tell yourself to "wait for the next single."
* Remark: The key difference is that idol timelines are artificially set, allowing idols to maintain visibility at shows between nodes, whereas semiconductor process timelines show no products at all between nodes. Process nodes are ultimately constrained by physics without freedom for artificial dramas, with increasingly longer timelines.
* Idols You Can Meet
* AMD64: One reason processor projects garner attention is the desire to witness a journey of creation from scratch - satisfying the expectations of tech otakus. Another reason is that by paying, tech otakus can actually use the new generation of processors when building their own PCs, rather than using them only by renting a server on a distant cloud. Seeing the improved processor feels almost like the chip is working for their fans at a personal level. This is "Personal Computing" by definition.
* AKB48: One reason idol projects garner attention is the desire to witness a journey of stardom from scratch - satisfying the expectations of idol otakus. Another reason is that by paying, idol otakus can attend regularly-scheduled local theater performances or use handshake tickets to meet the idols in person, rather on seeing them only on TV or waiting for an occasional live performance in a distant city. Seeing the idols improve with each handshake feels almost like the idol is working for their fans at a personal level. This is "Idols You Can Meet" by definition.
* Group Competition
* AMD64: Processor competition takes place in groups, categorized in various ways. Traditional divisions include "Red Team" and "Blue Team," though others are organized based on market needs - such as Team 3, 5, and 7. Additionally, Nvidia is viewed as a spin-off group within the PC ecosystem. ARM64 emerged as a new rival, yet the companies behind the scenes overlap significantly, and are all produced by TSMC.
* AKB48: Idol competition takes place in groups, categorized in various ways. Traditional divisions include Team A, K, and B, though others are organized for specific events, such as "Under Girls" and "Upcoming Girls." Additionally, SKE48 is viewed as a spin-off group within the AKB48 series. Nogizaka46 emerged as a new rival, yet the companies behind the scenes overlap significantly, and are all produced by Yasushi Akimoto.
* Variety Shows
* AMD64: To fill the gaps between major events for boosting popularity among tech otakus, YouTube channels often produce entertaining variety shows centered on PCs. Unless one is already familiar with technology, these segments can look like bizarre antics or awkward small talk, which is baffling to outsiders. Program formats vary widely-ranging from reading viewer comments and hosting competitions between members to product reveals-as seen in LinusTechTips' Scrapyard Wars and PC or No PC series.
* AKB48: To fill the gaps between major events for boost their popularity among idol otakus, TV channels often produce entertaining variety shows featuring idols. Unless one is already familiar with the idols, these segments can look like bizarre antics or awkward small talk, which is baffling to outsiders. Program formats vary widely-ranging from answering viewer mail and hosting competitions between members to new project announcements-as seen in NTV's AKBINGO!.
* General Elections
* AMD64: The release of a new generation of products is the most thrilling moment for tech otakus, who rush to watch reviews the instant they drop. Discussions and predictions abound even before the review embargo is lifted. Once the reviews are out, casual observers focus on performance rankings, while hardcore enthusiasts dissect SPEC2017 sub-tests on forums - often amidst heated arguments between rival factions.
* AKB48: The announcement of "General Election" results is the most thrilling moment for idol otakus, who rush to watch the live broadcast. Discussions and predictions abound even before the votes are tallied. Once the results are in, casual fans focus on an idol's improvement of their abilities and their ranking changes, while hardcore fans dissect vote counts and regional voting trends on forums - often amidst heated arguments between rival factions.
...To be continued (1/3)
Marcus Müller