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 wh

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.