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From the article: "mobile-phone and laptop makers such as Apple Inc. and Samsung Electronics Co." I'll up vote stories like this when they have the right title

by cbeach 11y ago

From the article: "mobile-phone and laptop makers such as Apple Inc. and Samsung Electronics Co." I'll up vote stories like this when they have the right title. Not one designed for clickbait. Apple goes further than most companies to inspect its supply chain and improve working conditions. So it grates to see Apple singled out for criticism here.

camillomiller 11y ago
Yep. At least in this instance it's a safe clickbait. It won't change people's minds and won't affect the stock price, which is awful and tells a lot about what investors really care about. The titles only subtracts some more dignity to the publication and unfortunately to the no-profit organization that's sponsoring its important findings by using Apple as an easy proxy for the industry.
vmateixeira 11y ago
Well.. you wouldn't admit you already knew that your products where manufactured in such conditions, would you? There's a whole market idea and brand image to protect... "Let's just play the blame game and make the guilt vanish somewhere else."
- chippy 11y ago
  To admit to oneself that the brand and the feelings that the brand makes is wrong actually causes actual psychological harm. It is more logical to defend any attacks. Further, for Apple, most HN/Startup types have the whole suite of Apple products, hardware and software. They have invested tens of thousands of dollars, each, over the years in this brand. To admit to oneself that they made the wrong choice and wasted all that money causes actual bad psychological hurt. Further, for Apple users that have invested thousands of days, each, over the years in using the products and software. To admit to oneself that they made the wrong choice and wasted all time causes actual bad psychological hurt. Far easier, and logical and less harmful it is to defend your substantial investment.
  - vmateixeira 11y ago
    I can see your point. Haven't thought about that actually.
pervycreeper 11y ago
Apple deserves to be singled out, because they specifically promote themselves as being friendly to humanity, so actions like this are hypocritical, in addition to being immoral. Also, as the largest company, they are able to lead by example.
- snarfy 11y ago
  Samsung is larger than Apple, Microsoft, and Google combined.
  - gruez 11y ago
    define "larger". it's certainly not by market cap.
    - Symbiote 11y ago
      If Samsung sell more phones, we could assume they use more cobalt, so have more influence on its production.
- draw_down 11y ago
  That turns this issue into a critique of Apple's brand. The problem isn't that there are children mining cobalt, the problem is that Apple, specifically, is using it.
chippy 11y ago
"mobile-phone and laptop makers such as Apple Inc. and Samsung Electronics Co. May Be Using Congo Cobalt Mined by Children, Amnesty Says" is too long a title for Hacker News.
DrScump 11y ago
Apple is the one named company that refused to comment. "(Samsung) SDI, told Amnesty it doesn’t do direct business with the major Chinese suppliers mentioned in the report and that they aren’t in its supply chain."

by cbeach 11y ago

camillomiller 11y ago

Yep. At least in this instance it's a safe clickbait. It won't change people's minds and won't affect the stock price, which is awful and tells a lot about what investors really care about. The titles only subtracts some more dignity to the publication and unfortunately to the no-profit organization that's sponsoring its important findings by using Apple as an easy proxy for the industry.

vmateixeira 11y ago

Well.. you wouldn't admit you already knew that your products where manufactured in such conditions, would you? There's a whole market idea and brand image to protect... "Let's just play the blame game and make the guilt vanish somewhere else."

chippy 11y ago
To admit to oneself that the brand and the feelings that the brand makes is wrong actually causes actual psychological harm. It is more logical to defend any attacks. Further, for Apple, most HN/Startup types have the whole suite of Apple products, hardware and software. They have invested tens of thousands of dollars, each, over the years in this brand. To admit to oneself that they made the wrong choice and wasted all that money causes actual bad psychological hurt. Further, for Apple users that have invested thousands of days, each, over the years in using the products and software. To admit to oneself that they made the wrong choice and wasted all time causes actual bad psychological hurt. Far easier, and logical and less harmful it is to defend your substantial investment.
- vmateixeira 11y ago
  I can see your point. Haven't thought about that actually.

pervycreeper 11y ago

Apple deserves to be singled out, because they specifically promote themselves as being friendly to humanity, so actions like this are hypocritical, in addition to being immoral. Also, as the largest company, they are able to lead by example.

snarfy 11y ago
Samsung is larger than Apple, Microsoft, and Google combined.
- gruez 11y ago
  define "larger". it's certainly not by market cap.
  - Symbiote 11y ago
    If Samsung sell more phones, we could assume they use more cobalt, so have more influence on its production.
draw_down 11y ago
That turns this issue into a critique of Apple's brand. The problem isn't that there are children mining cobalt, the problem is that Apple, specifically, is using it.

chippy 11y ago

"mobile-phone and laptop makers such as Apple Inc. and Samsung Electronics Co. May Be Using Congo Cobalt Mined by Children, Amnesty Says" is too long a title for Hacker News.

DrScump 11y ago

Apple is the one named company that refused to comment. "(Samsung) SDI, told Amnesty it doesn’t do direct business with the major Chinese suppliers mentioned in the report and that they aren’t in its supply chain."