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Apple fully understands what it takes to make their new iPhone. They're going out of their way to source conflict-free materials, to ensure that it's only made

Apple fully understands what it takes to make their new iPhone. They're going out of their way to source conflict-free materials, to ensure that it's only made with recyclable components, and to eliminate as many unnecessary toxic components from the manufacturing process, like lead and mercury. Apple doesn't mind absorbing these extra costs especially because there's enough margin in their products they can afford to. If you want to blame someone, don't blame Apple. Blame the lawnmower company that used to manufacture their products domestically but decided to out-source it to China for no reason other than slashing costs. They're the ones that keep putting the squeeze on their suppliers to trim costs, to use plastic parts instead of metal, to skimp on anything and everything they think they can get away with. Where Apple is doing checks on their suppliers to make sure they're not employing child labour, that they're not endangering their employees with overly long work weeks, other companies are out there demanding they work harder, longer, and cheaper. When China is no longer the cheapest shop in town they'll pack their bags and move on to the next place, and the next place, in their suicidal race to the bottom. What's ironic here is that China is actually one of the biggest green energy proponents. They used coal to get their industrial base going, but solar and wind will be the big drivers behind the next push. While the US might have better environmental regulations, lately it's developed a severe allergy to "new things". Meanwhile China keeps deploying bigger and bigger solar installations: https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/china-launches-largest-floating-solar-farm-180963587/ https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/china-launches-lar...

chiefalchemist 9y ago
I don't see China's embracing of green as ironic. They see the future. They understand where the need of the market it going. Most importantly, they understand oil's day is over. They'd rather shift to green than waste recources on wars for oil. China isn't stuck in the (at best) 20th century (in this regard). No doubt China is interested in power and influence. They difference is they'd prefer to conquer economically rather than with military force. So far, that's working quite well for them.
- astrodust 9y ago
  I mean "ironic" in the sense that the country everyone likes to paint as the most reckless polluter and constant scourge in any and all departments of humanity is now the leading green proponent. Meanwhile the US, home of the EPA, Greenpeace, the Sierra Club, and a host of other things that simply don't exist in China, is now mutating into a monster that's looking for ways to use more coal, to blow up more mountains, to slash any and all regulations. > They difference is they'd prefer to conquer economically rather than with military force. This is what Japan did post World War II and for the most part it worked out pretty well. Not a shot fired, and yet culturally and economically they're right up there with every G8 country. Japanese televisions showing Japanese cartoons all across the world. In constrast, Russia, a country that's larger, more populated, and in a unique position to bridge Asia and Europe, is an irrelevant backwater country. Nobody in their right mind would want to own a Russian television or watch Russian shows unless they're Russian in the first place. It's a shame because Russia could have turned into something amazing instead of the place it is today. Sadly the United States seems to be heading in the Russia direction while China is heading in the Japan direction.
  - chiefalchemist 9y ago
    "It's a shame because Russia could have turned into something amazing instead of the place it is today." Today? Yes. But also, what's your measurement for amazing? Based on the current state of the world, and the direction things are trending, I don't see any country that deserves the crown of amazing. What am I missing?
    - astrodust 9y ago
      Things have gotten a bit sideways lately, it's true, but if you look at what some European countries are doing to prevent their post-industrial economies from collapsing into chaos, to shield against climate change, to become more self-sufficient in terms of food, it is pretty amazing. What countries like China have done in the last twenty years is also amazing. I'm not saying it's without problems, or that this progress is always worthwhile, but you've got to admit the dramatic transformation from backwater third world country to major industrial power in the span of a single generation is pretty amazing. There's other examples like that, but they're mostly historical, like Iceland clawing its way out of being an impoverished country entirely dependent on scraping out a meagre existence fishing to a vibrant part of Europe both culturally and economically.
chiefalchemist 9y ago
Does Apple understand? Yes, they do. I would sure hope so. On the other hand, my original comment was about consumers. You know, they type of people who post memes touting Obama and the low price of gasoline. They clearly don't understand lower prices increases consumption. Increased consumption increases pollution (aka greenhouse gases). How is that green?

chiefalchemist 9y ago

I don't see China's embracing of green as ironic. They see the future. They understand where the need of the market it going. Most importantly, they understand oil's day is over. They'd rather shift to green than waste recources on wars for oil. China isn't stuck in the (at best) 20th century (in this regard). No doubt China is interested in power and influence. They difference is they'd prefer to conquer economically rather than with military force. So far, that's working quite well for them.

astrodust 9y ago
I mean "ironic" in the sense that the country everyone likes to paint as the most reckless polluter and constant scourge in any and all departments of humanity is now the leading green proponent. Meanwhile the US, home of the EPA, Greenpeace, the Sierra Club, and a host of other things that simply don't exist in China, is now mutating into a monster that's looking for ways to use more coal, to blow up more mountains, to slash any and all regulations. > They difference is they'd prefer to conquer economically rather than with military force. This is what Japan did post World War II and for the most part it worked out pretty well. Not a shot fired, and yet culturally and economically they're right up there with every G8 country. Japanese televisions showing Japanese cartoons all across the world. In constrast, Russia, a country that's larger, more populated, and in a unique position to bridge Asia and Europe, is an irrelevant backwater country. Nobody in their right mind would want to own a Russian television or watch Russian shows unless they're Russian in the first place. It's a shame because Russia could have turned into something amazing instead of the place it is today. Sadly the United States seems to be heading in the Russia direction while China is heading in the Japan direction.
- chiefalchemist 9y ago
  "It's a shame because Russia could have turned into something amazing instead of the place it is today." Today? Yes. But also, what's your measurement for amazing? Based on the current state of the world, and the direction things are trending, I don't see any country that deserves the crown of amazing. What am I missing?
  - astrodust 9y ago
    Things have gotten a bit sideways lately, it's true, but if you look at what some European countries are doing to prevent their post-industrial economies from collapsing into chaos, to shield against climate change, to become more self-sufficient in terms of food, it is pretty amazing. What countries like China have done in the last twenty years is also amazing. I'm not saying it's without problems, or that this progress is always worthwhile, but you've got to admit the dramatic transformation from backwater third world country to major industrial power in the span of a single generation is pretty amazing. There's other examples like that, but they're mostly historical, like Iceland clawing its way out of being an impoverished country entirely dependent on scraping out a meagre existence fishing to a vibrant part of Europe both culturally and economically.

chiefalchemist 9y ago

Does Apple understand? Yes, they do. I would sure hope so. On the other hand, my original comment was about consumers. You know, they type of people who post memes touting Obama and the low price of gasoline. They clearly don't understand lower prices increases consumption. Increased consumption increases pollution (aka greenhouse gases). How is that green?