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Do you mean before or after 1865?
I believe the, iPhone was released after 1865. Do we want to support the slave labor-based capitalism in 2012?


To be fair, those companies only do it to save cash in other ways. Earlier this year, for example, Toyota was looking at making Japan-destined Camrys in the US since it cost less (or they were projecting it would) to ship the finished car to Japan than all the parts to assemble in Japan.
Oh, so manufacturing in US actually can "save cash"! Samsung thinks so as well expanding its semiconductor plant in Texas.
 
I just hope that those workers on the Samsung line do NOT copy their outrage and riots.

#notREALLYmakinglightofsituation
 
People believe what they want to believe, but it never fails to astonish me how willingly everybody always bought into Steve's BS.

A company with more than 100 Billion USD in CASH reserves could easily lay out a three to five year plan to a) build the factories it needs and b) at the same build the schools necessary to train and educate the workforce that it requires to run those factories in its home country. They manage to invest billions of dollars in data centers that need MORE highly educated and skilled people than a FACTORY that is basically run by robots.

If they wanted, they could. But like any other corporation, they are run by pure greed and don't want to take any responsibility. That is what globalization is all about.

But what do you guys think will happen once all production and technical jobs have been "outsourced" to countries like China and our own countries are run by the few remaining lawyers and the rest is unemployed?

You're right. THAT is the day when production might come back, because that is the day when WE will work for a dollar per day.

I wonder if you will still love your shiny iToys then.

Good post. Of course Apple can build the infrastructure in 3-5 years, otherwise, we will only have lawyers and unemployed, and then who will be buying the iToys? Greedy "outsourcing" will eventually backfire.
 
If you think Apple couldn't affect how Foxconn treats its employees you're naive. In addition, Apple HAS given Foxconn additional money which was reportedly to go to giving its employees either better conditions and/or salary increases (I forget which or if it was both).

Oh no! Mods! Someone called me a name! Are you going to warn them like you warn the **** out of me?
 
A company with more than 100 Billion USD in CASH reserves could easily lay out a three to five year plan to a) build the factories it needs and b) at the same build the schools necessary to train and educate the workforce that it requires to run those factories in its home country. They manage to invest billions of dollars in data centers that need MORE highly educated and skilled people than a FACTORY that is basically run by robots.
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That $100 billion has been spent many times over hypothetically by would-be do gooders, be it in the form of cheaper products, plants in the US, or whatever dreams people have for other people's money.

Look at the performance of our schools and tell us that we could quickly educate thousands of engineers, as well as doctors, chemists, and whatever else people want. Our universities are capable of doing that, but only if we allow a big influx of immigrants, which would have significant political obstacles. Otherwise, it would be far longer than a 3-5 year plan to build up a workforce.

I actually think it would be a good idea to bring in more skilled immigrants as it would help grow our economy. However, that's very difficult to explain to people when unemployment is high. Apple can't snap its fingers and get something passed. All of Silicon Valley as well as Microsoft and other companies have been jumping up and down for years that we need more skilled immigrants here, but particularly since 9/11 it's been a tough sell. Bringing in 100 engineers might allow a plant employing 1000 to stay here vs. being moved to China or India.
 
All I know is they better get it cleaned up and get back to work. Demand is very high right now and the last thing that Apple needs is any production loss. Corporate profits could suffer if they lose capacity and that's the last thing Apple and it's shareholders need right now.
 
I believe the, iPhone was released after 1865. Do we want to support the slave labor-based capitalism in 2012?
What I mean is: stop using 'we' for other people you don't know.

Oh, so manufacturing in US actually can "save cash"! Samsung thinks so as well expanding its semiconductor plant in Texas.
Yes, all sorts of things are possible. :confused: Are you claiming now that Apple would save cash by doing this for the iPhone? Or just continuing to blindly mouth off?
 
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That $100 billion has been spent many times over hypothetically by would-be do gooders, be it in the form of cheaper products, plants in the US, or whatever dreams people have for other people's money.

Look at the performance of our schools and tell us that we could quickly educate thousands of engineers, as well as doctors, chemists, and whatever else people want. Our universities are capable of doing that, but only if we allow a big influx of immigrants, which would have significant political obstacles. Otherwise, it would be far longer than a 3-5 year plan to build up a workforce.

I actually think it would be a good idea to bring in more skilled immigrants as it would help grow our economy. However, that's very difficult to explain to people when unemployment is high. Apple can't snap its fingers and get something passed. All of Silicon Valley as well as Microsoft and other companies have been jumping up and down for years that we need more skilled immigrants here, but particularly since 9/11 it's been a tough sell. Bringing in 100 engineers might allow a plant employing 1000 to stay here vs. being moved to China or India.

It is true, however there are two problems with this idea. There is a worldwide shortage of highly skilled people and US is no longer an attractive proposition with other markets offering a much better lifestyle, compensation, benefits to the professional segment.
 
I tried to write a post for this thread that would present my thoughts about this disturbing article but I just couldn't do it.

I will just say this, 79,000 employees. SEVENTY NINE THOUSAND FIRCKING EMPLOYEES. Living there must be hell, but that apparently isn't bad enough so the guards have to beat the crap out of you? No wonder they are killing themselves. No wonder they have to put nets around the building to catch suicide attempts!

I hope it isn't as bad as I suspect but man, I am feeling pretty guilty about having too much ****.
 
It wasn't that long ago that most things were made in the US. Prices didn't plummet when manufacturing went overseas. Either labor in China isn't that much cheaper, or profit margins went through the roof. And anyway, workers don't riot over nothing.

Cheap overseas labor has most definitely transformed the consumer products market, and products have indeed gotten cheaper for consumers so as to drive the continual upgrade cycles.

We've shifted away from relatively expensive, durable goods made by skilled workers toward much more cheaply produced products that are only intended to last until the next upgrade cycle. Just look at the cost of a television 20-30 years ago, when a lot of them were still produced here. They were expensive up front and you had people fix them when they broke. Now they're dirt cheap (practically an impulse buy at this point) and you throw them out and get the new model when they break. Or you throw them out and upgrade just because they now seem "slow" and don't have the latest features. Same for your computer and pretty much every piece of electronics in your house. Not to mention clothing and pretty much any other consumer item we buy.

Can manufacturers keep up that kind of design and production cycle with well-paid labor? More importantly, how long can we keep throwing out our gadgets for new ones every 2-3 years before the environmental and social costs become too great?
 
LOL. You have not seen much of he world outside of your suburbia, have you? By the same token I am often perplexed why so many people even care about some new telephone, when they have nothing interesting to say while using it?

I'm from South Africa. I chose to live in the United States. I have seen more crime, violence and corruption than you will ever know. That being said, I have CHOSEN my country of residence accordingly. If you don't like your government or economic system, MOVE and stop being such a weiner.

And what do you mean, " By the same token " ? You're just spouting random phrases haphazardly.
 
Since you have nothing interesting to say, nor anyone to call, you won't need them. Cancel your order.

LOL. You don't even know me. Would putting someone down or arguing for the sake of arguing suit you better?
 
What I mean is: stop using 'we' for other people you don't know.
Stop telling me what should I be "using" - you are not my boss. That was just a question, but if 'we' does not work for you, fine, how about 'you'? Do YOU support a slave labor based capitalism?


Yes, all sorts of things are possible. :confused: Are you claiming now that Apple would save cash by doing this for the iPhone? Or just continuing to blindly mouth off?
"blindly mouth off" - that sounds like a rude personal attack - can't YOU control yourself? Yes, I suggest that in the long run Apple would save cash, just like samsungs and toyotas do. Otherwise that cash will remain in Asian banks forever.
 
Unacceptable. Who was the master that let these slaves out of control? I want names!! My iPhone better be here on time, or heads will roll!! *sarcasm*
 
It is true, however there are two problems with this idea. There is a worldwide shortage of highly skilled people and US is no longer an attractive proposition with other markets offering a much better lifestyle, compensation, benefits to the professional segment.

Even with our restrictions, we still attract far more immigrants than any other country. The EU collectively was becoming attractive, but the whole sovereign debt crisis threatens that. Don't think you'll be able to offer all those "free" benefits for much longer.
 
The reason of the riot is because the Black iPhones came with scratches. Apple contacted the Manager of Foxconn in China, who was agressive towards the workers, and they revolted.
 
Is it true the workers were punished for the scuffed iphones which caused these riots?!
 
All I know is they better get it cleaned up and get back to work. Demand is very high right now and the last thing that Apple needs is any production loss. Corporate profits could suffer if they lose capacity and that's the last thing Apple and it's shareholders need right now.

Are you ********** kidding me?

That's really all you care about?

Oh no! Corporate profits! Some CEO might have to come home with a few million less. The horrors! Those slaves better get back to work! Think of the corporate profits!
 
I figured that the scuffs and dings were a harbinger of an emerging revolt.




norma-rae1.jpg
 
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They are not Apple employees. Foxconn is a contractor who builds PC motherboards and all manner of electronics....such as iPhones...under contract. The last thing China wants is driving up the cost of Chinese labor. The biggest threat to China being the world's workshop is labor cost. If Chinese labor costs goes too high....there is always India waiting to replace them. I would not want to be a Chinese laborer.
 
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