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Originally Posted by !@#$%!
people like to single out apple because of its sucess, and saying "workers in emerging economies work harder under more difficult conditions for less pay, and capitalist enterprises take advantage of this, including the electronic component industry" doesn't sound so sexy, though it's more accurate than brand-target propaganda
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No, we single out Apple because of these points. Apple is the largest distributor of electronics right now. Further Apple sells its products for overly inflated prices and pay both their American employees much less then other companies and retailers, and also exploits their manufacturers. Considering that Apple makes the most money than their competitors, and further have such a loyal and dedicated and youthful customer base, surely they could afford to start a new trend of more equitable manufacturing and retail practices? Further, you are right, computer companies and cell phone companies all use the same exploitative practices, but their sheer scale is smaller than Apple so their direct impact and footprint is also smaller. Also, phones like Nokia and Samsung are the most popular in the developing world, where this technology is revolutionary. Mobiles aren't a luxury in the poorer parts of the world, they are an affordable lifeline. Now folks are even incorporating their bank accounts both private and commercial into their phones to make payment and purchases using their phones but at physical shops and storefronts. This combined with the micro-financing movement is changing the face of the developing world. While Nokia may also have exploitative manufacturing practices, at least those broke Chinese folks can actually AFFORD to buy a Nokia, where as they couldn't dream to buy an iPhone. At least in countries like Botswana or Vietnam folks are benefiting from affordable cell phones, and cell phone technology is so much cheaper infrastructure than land-lines that most developing countries don't even bother with land-lines. The cell phone is the future of the world, and Apple is not exactly the company that poor folks afford or own.
In regards to computers, yes, they are also ALL complicit in these manufacturing practices, but again, Macs cost MUCH more than other more affordable laptops and towers, so just as cheaper cell phones are changing the developing world, so are affordable computers. Be it in South Central Los Angeles or Johanessburg folks are suddenly getting increasing access to computers as they become so much more affordable. So yes, ALL electronics companies are scandalous, but at the least those that AREN'T Apple also sell their products to the poor people that Apple only exploits
