4 ms·
There is really no danger of Cargill impacting your life like one of the big tech companies. If you are a US citizen you are more likely to be killed by Cargil
by protomyth 6y ago
There is really no danger of Cargill impacting your life like one of the big tech companies.
If you are a US citizen you are more likely to be killed by Cargill than by most of the big tech companies (I said "most" instead of "all" because I think the jury is still out on Amazon).
A bit of a difference between those statements. I'm growing less and less fond of HN's tendency to push people to the thin ice.
I do believe that the average person has a higher chance of being impacted by any of the big techs causing pain, then getting sick from something at a Cargill plant. Cargill isn't a delta away from the problems other companies experience. Heck, salad companies seem to be the biggest offender. I was never worried about beef. Turkey on the other hand seemed to show up a lot in the news.
Not to mention their rampant chemical dumping.
When I think rampant chemical dumping, I think of 3M poisoning the ground in various places. There was a real case of politicians letting a company off.
- cowmoo728 6y agoNot from food-borne illness but from diabetes and heart disease. imo Cargill's role via extensive lobbying in causing an epidemic of heart disease can't be overstated.
- shaftway 6y agoI'll admit it's not exactly a straightforward comparison. And it's on each of us to weigh the costs and likelihood of becoming ill versus big tech causing pain. I have my weighting, you have yours. On my scale, between their various meats, the pollutants they use, and the various spills (plenty listed in the article and online) I'd come down harder on Cargill than tech.
- protomyth 6y agoStatistically, I'm betting on big tech since they have caused me more pain. Now, a couple restaurant chains, I might have a different answer. As to chemicals, do remember that the whole tech industry is built on companies that did significant dumping.https://www.theatlantic.com/technology/archive/2019/09/silicon-valley-full-superfund-sites/598531/ https://www.theatlantic.com/technology/archive/2019/09/silic...
- civilized 6y agoLife impact is subjective. It's unclear how a severe impact on a relatively small number of people compares to whatever the tech companies do, which AFAICT is more of a small impact on many people. Why is your position on impact so sound while others are on "thin ice"? A bit of unearned condescension to lead with that sentiment.