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It's interesting to listen to stories like this because they make it truly difficult to access your own feelings. You want to dislike or even hate it but a mome

It's interesting to listen to stories like this because they make it truly difficult to access your own feelings. You want to dislike or even hate it but a moment later you realize, in order to do so, you'd have to pass those judgements onto yourself. And so you kind of brush it off or feel like you're somehow doing the right thing by just hearing about it. There is no option other than simply not using electronics, or maybe only buying used electronics claiming the recycling karma offset. And whats kind of crazy is that I love programming. It's not only my job to use these devices, but I love to make them do new things. If I'm to continue to love it I have to live in a mind with forgetful acceptance or forced ignorance. I don't see a 3rd option.

jhancock 15y ago
recycling karma. I went through this phase a few years back in Shanghai. I refused to buy anything new and would call a friend for his old iPod in a drawer when mine died. This worked for a bit but has limitations. I'm back in China now, after a two year break to the U.S. Ten years in Shanghai was too much for me. I needed some perspective from home. Now I'm back, in Chengdu. My rules are simple. In all aspects of my life, where I can, I incrementally raise the labor bar and try to provide more than just a job. The IT projects I do, I tell my clients I only do high-end work and pay my talent well. And I do pay them well; generally 50% to 200% over their prior jobs. I also get to cherry pick the best talent and have very satisfied clients. This approach has its limitations and I'll adjust my approach when I reach their limits. For you, there are two things you can do: 1 - Choose wisely who you give your money to. If you feel you can't easily raise the bar in the electronics you buy because all suppliers are playing the same game, do so in other aspects of your life. For many, there is choice in food and other local things you buy. 2 - Get involved more closely in who your elected representative are. These guys set the global and local trade rules. Let them know at the ballot box what you think.
calibraxis 15y ago
I don't know where you're from, but that's one of the odd things about the US culture I'm from. We often can't imagine how to participate meaningly in the decisionmaking which rules our lives. (Aside from pushing a button for someone every few years or not buying something, which isn't serious participation.) So we're left with the hyperindividualist idea that we can only affect our measly personal purchasing decisions, while wealthy elites are deciding for us.

jhancock 15y ago

recycling karma. I went through this phase a few years back in Shanghai. I refused to buy anything new and would call a friend for his old iPod in a drawer when mine died. This worked for a bit but has limitations. I'm back in China now, after a two year break to the U.S. Ten years in Shanghai was too much for me. I needed some perspective from home. Now I'm back, in Chengdu. My rules are simple. In all aspects of my life, where I can, I incrementally raise the labor bar and try to provide more than just a job. The IT projects I do, I tell my clients I only do high-end work and pay my talent well. And I do pay them well; generally 50% to 200% over their prior jobs. I also get to cherry pick the best talent and have very satisfied clients. This approach has its limitations and I'll adjust my approach when I reach their limits. For you, there are two things you can do: 1 - Choose wisely who you give your money to. If you feel you can't easily raise the bar in the electronics you buy because all suppliers are playing the same game, do so in other aspects of your life. For many, there is choice in food and other local things you buy. 2 - Get involved more closely in who your elected representative are. These guys set the global and local trade rules. Let them know at the ballot box what you think.

calibraxis 15y ago

I don't know where you're from, but that's one of the odd things about the US culture I'm from. We often can't imagine how to participate meaningly in the decisionmaking which rules our lives. (Aside from pushing a button for someone every few years or not buying something, which isn't serious participation.) So we're left with the hyperindividualist idea that we can only affect our measly personal purchasing decisions, while wealthy elites are deciding for us.