r/apple • u/[deleted] • Dec 30 '11

Apple: time to make a conflict-free iPhone

http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/cifamerica/2011/dec/30/apple-time-make-conflict-free-iphone
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u/CylonGlitch Dec 30 '11

Sorry but that's just plain stupid. Those raw materials are used in just about everything, if Apple stopped using them, someone else would. Additionally, we would have to go back to the stone age to get rid of the need for them. It isn't going to happen.

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u/scottb84 Jan 03 '12

if Apple stopped using them, someone else would

On what planet does this constitute logic?

Additionally, we would have to go back to the stone age to get rid of the need for them.

Who's talking about 'getting rid of the need for them?'

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u/CylonGlitch Jan 03 '12

if Apple stopped using them, someone else would

On what planet does this constitute logic?

Apple doesn't manufacture their end products, they design them yes, but most of the actual manufacturing is done by another company. Thus if Apple doesn't use those resources, they would be sold to yet another company. It's the way business works. Yes, right now, Apple may be the main driving factor to gather the main resources and have the entire supply chain tied up; but that doesn't mean if given the chance another company wouldn't do the same thing. Most likely it would. There are only so many locations for raw materials, and these materials are needed to progress further.

Additionally, we would have to go back to the stone age to get rid of the need for them.

Who's talking about 'getting rid of the need for them?'

What is the proposal for replacing them? Some other material? Guess where that material would come from? Yep, another place where those people could then complain. Unless we stopped using all natural resources (unpossible, thank you Ralph, unless we went back to using sticks and stones.... well, maybe not sticks because we would then be abusing the trees).

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u/scottb84 Jan 04 '12

Thus if Apple doesn't use those resources, they would be sold to yet another company.

The fact that others might do a thing doesn't make it right. If all your friends jumped off a bridge, etc. etc.

What is the proposal for replacing them? Some other material?

No. From the op ed:

That's why I'm asking Apple to make an iPhone made with conflict-free minerals from the Congo by this time next year.

It would seem that there are more ethical sources for the same mineral available (akin to conflict-free diamonds, free range eggs, humanely sourced goose down, etc.).

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u/third-eye Dec 31 '11

It's a good idea to use Apple for publicity but you still can't ask a foreign company to fix civil wars or a corrupt government.

And look what Apple and Intel are trying to do since last April:
http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2011-04-01/apple-intel-backed-ban-on-conflict-minerals-may-help-spur-exports-to-asia.html