4 ms·

The thing is, their is a reason they say "modern day slavery" and not "slavery." The implication here is that just because there are no actual whips, no litera

The thing is, their is a reason they say "modern day slavery" and not "slavery." The implication here is that just because there are no actual whips, no literal rape, and no families torn apart forever doesn't mean we should think this is acceptable. It's the modern equivalent of slavery. No, it's not slavery with whips and rape. It's a different type of slavery. Hence the qualifier. Anyways, I did you the service of explaining why you would get voted down. If you aren't going to read something, and you have nothing useful to add, don't bother commenting. Comments like yours don't contribute anything useful and only harm HN.

bubblewrap 7y ago
Slaves couldn't quit their jobs if they were unhappy about it. That is one of the defining aspects of slavery.
- jasonlotito 7y ago
  If your choice is unemployment and not being able to afford the basic necessities, what choice do you have? I mean, sure, you could quit and give up those those things. But then by that line of thinking, slaves could technically stop being slaves if they wanted to. In both cases, the individuals are worse off. But I don't think that's the bar we should be shooting for. I guess the real question is: are you okay with conditions Amazon has for it's Fulfillment center employees? Or are you just wasting people's time whining about the word "slavery?"
  - bubblewrap 7y ago
    The choice would be looking for another job. A choice that slaves didn't have. By your definition, everybody is a slave, who is not so rich that they can afford to stop working. As for Amazon's Fulfillment centers, I'd like to read a statement by their operators before making a judgement. I suspect it is not as easy to make unskilled workers do useful work as many people think.
RandomBacon 7y ago
I appreciate you taking the time to reply with why you believe the other poster is wrong. Too many people just downvote and move on without giving the opportunity to let others learn. However, I think you're wrong. There is slavery today with rape, murder, physical control, etc. When I see "Modern day slavery" or the "modern equivalent" is still just "slavery".
- claudiawerner 7y ago
  There is indeed slavery today with rape, murder and physical control - so I don't think the term "modern day slavery" is accurate save for some explanation as to what the "modern day" part means. Language doesn't necessarily work in a linear way - it's entirely possible for "slavery", "modern slavery" and "modern day slavery" to all refer to different concepts. Someone else in this same comment thread even uses the term "old-school slavery". Nevertheless, the term "wage slavery" has gained increasing usage, and comparisons of the wage system to slavery go back a long time, even when the plight of slaves was evident at the time. Keep in mind that the author of this quote was an ardent abolitionist too: >The only difference as compared with the old, outspoken slavery is this, that the worker of today seems to be free because he is not sold once for all, but piecemeal by the day, the week, the year, and because no one owner sells him to another, but he is forced to sell himself in this way instead, being the slave of no particular person, but of the whole property-holding class.
- jasonlotito 7y ago
  > There is slavery today Yes, there is. That's slavery. > When I see "Modern day slavery" or the "modern equivalent" is still just "slavery". I don't understand. It seems like you missed a word, and however I try, I cannot figure out what you mean.
deleted 7y ago
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bubblewrap 7y ago

Slaves couldn't quit their jobs if they were unhappy about it. That is one of the defining aspects of slavery.

jasonlotito 7y ago
If your choice is unemployment and not being able to afford the basic necessities, what choice do you have? I mean, sure, you could quit and give up those those things. But then by that line of thinking, slaves could technically stop being slaves if they wanted to. In both cases, the individuals are worse off. But I don't think that's the bar we should be shooting for. I guess the real question is: are you okay with conditions Amazon has for it's Fulfillment center employees? Or are you just wasting people's time whining about the word "slavery?"
- bubblewrap 7y ago
  The choice would be looking for another job. A choice that slaves didn't have. By your definition, everybody is a slave, who is not so rich that they can afford to stop working. As for Amazon's Fulfillment centers, I'd like to read a statement by their operators before making a judgement. I suspect it is not as easy to make unskilled workers do useful work as many people think.

RandomBacon 7y ago

I appreciate you taking the time to reply with why you believe the other poster is wrong. Too many people just downvote and move on without giving the opportunity to let others learn. However, I think you're wrong. There is slavery today with rape, murder, physical control, etc. When I see "Modern day slavery" or the "modern equivalent" is still just "slavery".

claudiawerner 7y ago
There is indeed slavery today with rape, murder and physical control - so I don't think the term "modern day slavery" is accurate save for some explanation as to what the "modern day" part means. Language doesn't necessarily work in a linear way - it's entirely possible for "slavery", "modern slavery" and "modern day slavery" to all refer to different concepts. Someone else in this same comment thread even uses the term "old-school slavery". Nevertheless, the term "wage slavery" has gained increasing usage, and comparisons of the wage system to slavery go back a long time, even when the plight of slaves was evident at the time. Keep in mind that the author of this quote was an ardent abolitionist too: >The only difference as compared with the old, outspoken slavery is this, that the worker of today seems to be free because he is not sold once for all, but piecemeal by the day, the week, the year, and because no one owner sells him to another, but he is forced to sell himself in this way instead, being the slave of no particular person, but of the whole property-holding class.
jasonlotito 7y ago
> There is slavery today Yes, there is. That's slavery. > When I see "Modern day slavery" or the "modern equivalent" is still just "slavery". I don't understand. It seems like you missed a word, and however I try, I cannot figure out what you mean.

deleted 7y ago

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