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Report Profiles Secrecy at Apple's Asian Manufacturing Partners' Facilities
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Some pretty ignorant statements. With all of that being said you are not going to be able to buy many things. You should probably go shack up in the woods like the Unabomber and decry all the world's technology and consumer goods. There probably isn't much that is manufactured on a mass scale that isn't touched by migrant workers.
And get your terms straight. It is not indentured servitude. These people are free, they are not chained and held to meet the demands of a contract that signs their life away. They also are paid overtime when there are tight production schedules.
The only thing that stinks here is your ignorance. Fish heads are a delicacy you need to try them some time.
http://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/Hitlerish
http://www.allwords.com/word-hitlerish.html
http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=hitlerish
excuse me for being informal, the way many people in this forum tend to be.
For example, FARMBOY:
This thread has been Godwined.
i just mean it sounds fascist and oppressive.
"tightly controlled media spectacles"
who knows if these worker conditions are due to the prevalence of neo-fascism in china, or apple's secrecy. the fact is, apple is fueling the fire.
This is true, but a lot of the current good boards are using Lotes.
However, something tells me that working on an EVGA P55 board carries less "risks" than working on a new macbook or iPad.
I think the repeated claims of "ignorance" are a bit out of line. So you think workers in China are treated properly? You know of all the human rights complaints against the government, correct? Are you positive that Chinese workers are paid overtime?
Please look up the phrase "the fish stinks from the head." It has nothing to do with being a delicacy. The point is conditions are exacerbated by Apple's ridiculous levels of secrecy, and that corporate culture returns to one man. The phrase fits perfectly in this case.
P.S. Many MANY people avoid "made in China" products as much as possible. Likening myself, or anyone else, to the unabomber because they don't like Chinese working conditions is a straw man argument, and strikes of the very "ignorance" you like to toss around on others.
The sole point is that Apple's, and Steve Job's, culture worsens conditions for the people of China. That is what is being reported by Reuters. Period.
Why? I bet their next generation make for far better workers than the equivalent generation, and I say that as a 25 y.o.
My generation has expectations of greatness, and they don't think they should work for it. We are not cut out for manufacturing work. I see no reason to give those jobs to US workers, and take them from the Chinese worker.
I would pay $3,000 and up for a laptop that was made to better manufacturing standards. I don't want the same Apple product at a lower price. I want a better product, at a price that I decide is reasonable. Where did you come up with the $3,000 price? That's the starting price of a ruggedized laptop today. I wouldn't pay $3,000 for the same Apple laptop, but I wouldn't pay $1,500 for it either, not because I demand the lowest price on the market. I am more concerned with how an investment in a computer will last and what it will do for me.
In your dreams mate.
Workers work there for above average pay, that's it.
Just be thankful that you're the beneficiary of globalization and the almighty dollar, despite the fact the later is looking increasingly shaky.
Slave chain workers are taught how to do one thing and one thing only.
So it could inserting an N key. So they spend all day inserting N keys on keyboards.
How hollow.
In March, former United States Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) director James Woolsey let the cat out when he admitted that America steals economic secrets using "espionage, with communications, and reconnaissance satellites"
http://news.zdnet.co.uk/itmanagement/0,1000000308,2079850,00.htm
When I was doing business in Shanghai, I was being shown around the city. I noticed the amazing amounts of new development going up and how they were all walled off, with what appeared to be dormitories inside...
I asked the guy showing me around about it and he described what they were to me - they were just like this factory in the article - walled, self contained cities where workers would stay until the job was complete.
I was shocked.
Then he explained it to me and it made sense - not that I agree with it but I understood.
The majority of China does not have the means to live in Shanghai (just an example), or nearby - they live in extremely remote and distant areas. They cannot afford the transportation to get to these jobs, but they need the wages earned from them.
So they live in these self-contained cities until their job is done, and then go back home until the next job. This makes it possible for them to get these jobs, as they have a place to live, eat, sleep, etc.
edit: just to clarify, I in no way condone this - I'm just trying to point out that it's not just Apple doing this, it's part of the Chinese culture and something of a necessity given the distribution of wealth, population and lack of jobs in rural areas.
I asked the guy showing me around about it and he described what they were to me - they were just like this factory in the article - walled, self contained cities where workers would stay until the job was complete.
I was shocked.
Then he explained it to me and it made sense - not that I agree with it but I understood.
The majority of China does not have the means to live in Shanghai (just an example), or nearby - they live in extremely remote and distant areas. They cannot afford the transportation to get to these jobs, but they need the wages earned from them.
So they live in these self-contained cities until their job is done, and then go back home until the next job. This makes it possible for them to get these jobs, as they have a place to live, eat, sleep, etc.
edit: just to clarify, I in no way condone this - I'm just trying to point out that it's not just Apple doing this, it's part of the Chinese culture and something of a necessity given the distribution of wealth, population and lack of jobs in rural areas.
100% AGREED. I find myself feeling more frustrated and saddened, the more I read of this thread.
Also, I'm one of those people who avoid 'made in china'. For reasons that are well beyond the scope of this thread and forum. And I agree that Apple is adding to the human rights issues.
Just go start your own company, invent your own products and when you have your little dictator outfit on.. we can all have a real laugh!!
More Apple bashing! I wished Apple stayed power PC because I'm so sick of the bashers, the hackers and all around kicking and whining going on with people who have a choice to purchase and use a product. This is CHINA people! Not pleasantville.. Another wasted use of web bandwidth on mac rumors. How about some news on the upcoming Mac Pros? Or something else that's more "news and rumores you CARE about" instead of controversy!!!!
It's completely selfish and completely consistent with humanity's behaviour throughout its history. You're only obliged to do what someone else will force you to do if you don't, otherwise people always think of their own immediate self-interest first.
Oh, I thought of Willy Wonka as well but you posted first. Like a true Apple man I'm just going to carry on and use it anyway!
Nazi Germany
I think Apple and I will have to part ways.
I have been a long time user of Apple, but this!
Human dignity and rights just thrown away for a home computer?!?!! and a mediocre phone!!?!?!
Someone some where should stop this idiotic company, we talk about Microsoft, but they have never stamped out freedom and dignity of its workers.
I think Apple and I will have to part ways.
I have been a long time user of Apple, but this!
Human dignity and rights just thrown away for a home computer?!?!! and a mediocre phone!!?!?!
Someone some where should stop this idiotic company, we talk about Microsoft, but they have never stamped out freedom and dignity of its workers.
If I remember correctly, Apple lost a court case where it tried to force a blogger to tell which one of Apple's employees had given away Apple trade secrets illegally. And the reason why Apple lost the case was because the judge believed that Apple didn't do enough to keep its trade secrets secret.
I myself have to pass two security access points to get to my desk when I arrive at work, and one security access point every time I get a cup of coffee. As a result, I'm not afraid to leave my iPod lying around on my desk. And I'm not allowed to tell anyone in sales about new products that I am developing, because they just blab it out to their customers who then suddenly want a product that isn't going to be ready for 12 months and they don't want the old product anymore. To me, this seems all very reasonable. But when Apple does it, it is "obsessive".
This format of response has become common place. However did this illogical guff take off? In the spirit of things; why don't you go and create your own internet and then you can add as much as you like to the BS you claim to be cutting through?
Good! Sell it please and bye bye! Have you been there? I know I work my rear end off for a living and there's things I have to adhere towards to keep employed. No big deal... if the people are so mistreated then they would quit! Please, go sell your apple products!!! Get rid of yet another critic.