Tech vs. Humanitarian

Before I share this clip, I must make  some disclaimers. Combined they are shameful, yet honest. In 1998 when I first entered the IT sector, I had a job which blended PC-based designs with Apple-based designs. It did not take long to detest the business model of Apple. It was a fantastic high-end product but was one of the most monopolistic companies I had ever even known about. Back then there were 2 other companies who were allowed to make clones (Mac OS on non-Mac hardware). But even that was short lived and Apple tightened its belt so that Apple was the only one selling its own stuff. So that is the first disclaimer. I have not been, nor will I ever be a huge fan of Apple. We need their presence in the IT field because the push the market and drive innovation, but I don't like their company model.


The second disclaimer is probably where the shame comes in. During the GFC, Apple's stock was at a paltry $90 US/share. I decided to make money for my retirement account by buying into the company. Some people will think "Who cares, you made money?" but others, who are like myself, wrestle with the culture of the companies they support and that matching their own ethics. But I saw the money and took it. Because of that, I am just another greedy cog in the wheel which is spoken about in this ZDNet video. I did not like the culture of the company, but I didn't care because I saw the $$ potential.


So it is with some amount of shame that I share this from ZDNet. It is about a performance which highlights the tension between great technology and abusive ethics (or lack of ethics)...


http://www.zdnet.com.au/first-hand-from-foxconn-339323354.htm