Grumble. I've resisted saying it until now, but I am dissapointed by RED. I don't mind the potential for self-satified trendyness, like armstrong bracelets. I don't mind the buisness plan for companies, getting good publicity and a competitive advantage for less money than other routes to the same. And I certainly don't mind charity. In fact, I think this scheme is brilliant, absolutely fantastic. Everybody benefits in a truly easy way to help the world.
But there's always a but, isn't there. It is absolutely ludicrous to talk about AIDS and not talk about prevention. It's a terminal disease, no matter what the medication (and they aren't funding looking for a cure) -- and don't try to help people not get it? It's obvious why Product RED takes a treatment stance -- AIDS is an STI, and prevention means talking about sex, and some people are greatly offended by this, even when it means saving lives. Which, of course, makes for poor business.
To let a few dogmatic extremists destroy efforts to solve one of the largest problems in the history of the human race is spineless and abhorrant.
Sadly, if apple releases a new RED product tomorrow we will not be able to talk with virtue about helping the destitute, but will find that the greatest meaning will probably be to apple's bottom line. Sure, antiretrovirals increase quality of life, but with the miniscule contributions, the cost of the drugs, the ability of the virus to adapt to the drugs, and most importantly, the complete lack of any reduction in infection rate, but in fact an increase with antiretrovirals, the main effect outside of apple's bottom line will be to give people the false impression that they have helped solve a tragic problem.
But there's always a but, isn't there. It is absolutely ludicrous to talk about AIDS and not talk about prevention. It's a terminal disease, no matter what the medication (and they aren't funding looking for a cure) -- and don't try to help people not get it? It's obvious why Product RED takes a treatment stance -- AIDS is an STI, and prevention means talking about sex, and some people are greatly offended by this, even when it means saving lives. Which, of course, makes for poor business.
To let a few dogmatic extremists destroy efforts to solve one of the largest problems in the history of the human race is spineless and abhorrant.
Sadly, if apple releases a new RED product tomorrow we will not be able to talk with virtue about helping the destitute, but will find that the greatest meaning will probably be to apple's bottom line. Sure, antiretrovirals increase quality of life, but with the miniscule contributions, the cost of the drugs, the ability of the virus to adapt to the drugs, and most importantly, the complete lack of any reduction in infection rate, but in fact an increase with antiretrovirals, the main effect outside of apple's bottom line will be to give people the false impression that they have helped solve a tragic problem.
