Ask HN: Which companies have a purpose bigger than their product?

Facebook: "helping advertisers learn everything about you"

Mission statements are always going to be iffy. See Scott Adams' "Mebert" prank.

http://www.mit.edu/~jcb/humor/scott-adams-mgmt-consultant

This is poignant as I'm trying to figure this out for one of my projects right now.

I think the key is in being succinct.

Strangely, I haven't been able to find the purpose of Apple.

Apple's purpose is to make you feel good. They do that superbly.

kinda threw-up in my mouth a bit when I read that. thanks

I don't think Apple's purpose is bigger than their products. I think their products are their purpose -- and their purpose seems to make products with the best user experience in their field. And money - gobs and gobs of money.

Apple: we're the eyes, ears and voices of the web

www.23andme.com

Why would a company's purpose ever be smaller than their product?

Isn't purpose really just a way of articulating the company's ideal long-term vision?