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I can not find it now, but I recall reading a post from the (former?) founder/owner of a coffee company. His goal was to have an ethically justifiable supply ch

by 3np 5y ago

I can not find it now, but I recall reading a post from the (former?) founder/owner of a coffee company. His goal was to have an ethically justifiable supply chain, free from slavery and human exploitation. Or at least less of it. His conclusion was that this is impossible and became very disillusioned that due to various reasons he would not be able to not be part of the problem. I found this when searching but I’m pretty sure I’m thinking of someone else. https://www.javarepublic.com/no-ethics-coffee/ https://www.javarepublic.com/no-ethics-coffee/ Apologies for the vagueness, but do you have any thoughts on that?

majani 5y ago
In my experience living in a poor country, most of the issues brought up against globalized supply chains are either made up or sensationalized by people in developed countries who lack perspective. Low wages? Actually they are a really good entry-level option for people doing rural-urban migration. Expensive middlemen? They serve a purpose in the marketplace and smooth out logistical inefficiencies. Greedy multinationals? These are often dream work destinations for the locals. I could go on and on... bottom line is, globalized supply chains aren't broken and don't need fixing
- sundarurfriend 5y ago
  > In my experience living in a poor country, most of the issues brought up against globalized supply chains are either made up or sensationalized by people in developed countries who lack perspective. Agreed. It's also being heavily used to put a thin humanitarian sheen on what actually boils down to racism/xenophobia - not in all cases of course, but to a significant extent. > I could go on and on... bottom line is, globalized supply chains aren't broken and don't need fixing I wouldn't go that far, I'd say instead that they're not particularly more broken/unethical than pretty much anything else in the business world, but are easier for media to point fingers at and sensationalize without getting into much trouble from businesses.
- 3np 5y ago
  Thanks for your perspective . Just to be clear, are you talking in the general or are you in an environment with coffee plantations? Because the things I’m talking about were presented as issues specific to coffee.
  - majani 5y ago
    I live in Kenya, so yes. And my girlfriend was a coffee picker before she moved to the city

by 3np 5y ago

majani 5y ago

In my experience living in a poor country, most of the issues brought up against globalized supply chains are either made up or sensationalized by people in developed countries who lack perspective. Low wages? Actually they are a really good entry-level option for people doing rural-urban migration. Expensive middlemen? They serve a purpose in the marketplace and smooth out logistical inefficiencies. Greedy multinationals? These are often dream work destinations for the locals. I could go on and on... bottom line is, globalized supply chains aren't broken and don't need fixing

sundarurfriend 5y ago
> In my experience living in a poor country, most of the issues brought up against globalized supply chains are either made up or sensationalized by people in developed countries who lack perspective. Agreed. It's also being heavily used to put a thin humanitarian sheen on what actually boils down to racism/xenophobia - not in all cases of course, but to a significant extent. > I could go on and on... bottom line is, globalized supply chains aren't broken and don't need fixing I wouldn't go that far, I'd say instead that they're not particularly more broken/unethical than pretty much anything else in the business world, but are easier for media to point fingers at and sensationalize without getting into much trouble from businesses.
3np 5y ago
Thanks for your perspective . Just to be clear, are you talking in the general or are you in an environment with coffee plantations? Because the things I’m talking about were presented as issues specific to coffee.
- majani 5y ago
  I live in Kenya, so yes. And my girlfriend was a coffee picker before she moved to the city