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The same relates to iPhones - and other smartphones - and the conditions in which they are produced in taiwanian and chinese factories... How not to remember th
by kds 16y ago
The same relates to iPhones - and other smartphones - and the conditions in which they are produced in taiwanian and chinese factories... How not to remember their workers' misery, suicides, and tears that were forced into the production of fancy mobile devices so we could all tweet and update our facebook profiles while on the go?
- berntb 16y agoWhat is your take on this old argument from Krugman? http://www.slate.com/id/1918 http://www.slate.com/id/1918
- berntb 16y agoSigh, in hindsight I should have written something like "Krugman calls bullshit"... :-) It would have been interesting to see if that article could have been answered seriously. (On the other hand, I have used that as a reference for a decade without seeing a good counter argument. It changed my world view, so I'm interested in seeing it discussed.)
- kds 16y agoBriefly stated Krugman says that cheap-labour manufacturing is better than rural poverty for the Third World. He is right on a historic scale (development taking decades and presuming that transfer of know-how and tech sooner or later is to be followed by the ability to retain larger profits within the receiving nation). But this is nothing original as a thought because ~150 years before him it was Marx who said that capitalism is better than the rural feudal economics, anyway, and explicitly acknowledged its productive power (Before dissecting his problems as a social order, in his understanding). Anyway, this arm-chair observations hardly matter to the overworked and overstressed individual, or to the parents of those who commit suicide out of desperation.
- berntb 16y agoNot relevant to the point, which is: Cheap labor manufacturing is better than the alternative of no cheap labor manufacturing -- and the first step on the ladder to a better/modern economy. I don't like it, either. But afaik, there is no other way to start the road to a modern society (this also needs good governance, no conflicts, etc). Obviously, if you had a better answer, you would have addressed the point. Edit: Did I miss that you are arguing FOR something -- instead of just complaining that the first step out of poverty is just a few times better than the poverty?
- kds 16y agoI don't know what you missed but it seems you assume too much while interpreting freely other people's posts (here) or writings (the link you provided above). I never said I liked, disliked, complained, or argued about anything, neither I felt there was a point to be addressed so to argue with you over something. I've answered you what I think (after reading the article) just out of politeness - so get over it (if the answer doesn't match quite your opinion) and move on.
- berntb 16y ago>>[...] neither I felt there was a point to be addressed so to argue with you over something. >>I've answered you what I think (after reading the article) just out of politeness I assumed you had something to say about my reference/argument when you wrote. My fault of course, to assume that you did more than finger exercises. I'll try to remember you and not assume that you have any content in your writing. 1/2 :-)
- rdtsc 16y agoExcelent point. But you see the iPhone is an American product, so it's human costs somehow are excusable. These subs were the product of an enemy state, so they are not excusable.