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It's a little bizarre how people are either 1) upset at Apple for not doing more 2) expecting all companies to do something like this, thus this isn't exception
by ihodes 16y ago
It's a little bizarre how people are either 1) upset at Apple for not doing more 2) expecting all companies to do something like this, thus this isn't exceptional.
Addressing point 1 first; there's still time for them to do more. Not only that, but why should private companies be obligated to fund a nation in times of crisis? Sure, it's great when they do, but they already DO pay for this in the form of taxes. Apple is a company; their primary obligation is to their shareholders: their business is business.
Now for point 2: see point one. This is exceptional, and this is really neat. This isn't just some donation of funds to another fund; this was a mandated relief effort in the face of an actual crisis. And it showed (whether or not you think it sincere) that Apple cares. I can't be anything but happy that I support such a company.
- Stormbringer 16y agoThe Apple haters just can't let anything go past without taking a swing. And the irony is they accuse us of having a reality distortion field...
- greendestiny 16y agoSee jaysonelliot's comment here: http://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=2325377 http://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=2325377 This is hard to say without attacking something that is clearly great and helpful to a lot of people, but I think its fair to say that businesses and people all over Japan are currently putting in unbelievable efforts and singling out Apple here just seems to be putting the most bizarre western tech community lens over the thing.
- edderly 16y agoRegarding point one, I think some people use this excuse too readily. As a single example consider: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Corporate_personhood http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Corporate_personhood IMO if companies want to assert rights as individuals I think it is permissible to expect to some level of common morality. This doesn't mean a company has to act in a compassionate or moral manner, just as an individual, but I see no reason to give a corporation a free pass because they might have shareholders and a profit motive.
- georgieporgie 16y agoApple is a company; their primary obligation is to their shareholders Apple is doing business in Japan, where that notion of company purpose isn't necessarily so universally applied.
- AndreiVajnaII 16y agoWell, this is great publicity for Apple. More importantly, not doing it would be terrible publicity. Still, I don't think that has anything to do with it. This is just something normal in times of crisis, where humanity is the driving factor, and whether there is a company involved is irrelevant. I'm pretty sure the things described here have happened in several other places. Another point I'd like to bring up is that I feel all the new gadgetry is a bit over-hyped in the news (not just here). I wonder if a few decades ago people were so ecstatic about the telephone, radio or television.
- jazzyd 16y agoDonating to the relief effort is the right thing to do. The US Chamber of Commerce has a list of over 140 companies who have donated to the relief effort in Japan including Microsoft who is committing $2 Millions. See the below link for the full list: http://bclc.uschamber.com/Programs/disaster/corporate-aid-tracker-japanese-earthquake-and-tsunami-march-2011 http://bclc.uschamber.com/Programs/disaster/corporate-aid-tr... Apple has a Japanese division who makes components and batteries for Apple products. The earthquake is disrupting the production of the iPad2. So if they won't give for humanitarian reasons it makes sense for them to help rebuild Japan for practical reasons. They have money they could give but so far have not. Let's hope they change their tune. Amazed people are making a big deal that Apple put up their staff for the night and took care of them. This is what every company should do.