4 ms·
I'd predict a slightly different viewpoint, though also related to the environment. If the circular economy and recycling of expired electronic devices back in
by jnurmine 6y ago
I'd predict a slightly different viewpoint, though also related to the environment.
If the circular economy and recycling of expired electronic devices back into raw materials cannot be solved in a satisfactory way, the next wars will be fought over the control of the deposits of various strategic minerals like PGMs and rare earths.
This will be even more important once nations and supranational entitites start increasing their strategic capability in e.g. chip fabrication.
To be clear, I don't mean WWII firebombing of Dresden level of war-making. I mean war as in grayzone "separatist"/"freedom fighter" vibe with the eventual "topple the government" actions.
- Qwertious 6y ago>If the circular economy and recycling of expired electronic devices back into raw materials cannot be solved in a satisfactory way, the next wars will be fought over the control of the deposits of various strategic minerals like PGMs and rare earths. I don't think we're at risk of actually running out of the materials. At least, not overnight. If resources become scarcer then prices go up, which 1) makes recycling more viable as it makes more expensive operations more viable, and 2) encourages companies to more aggressively research alternatives or designs which simply do without the material. The real problem with expired electronic devices is externalities.