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Communism

 

Authoritarianism, more like. There would be no need for secrecy on this if they were truly all about the people. This doesn't serve the Chinese people, to avoid transparency.

 

So, Communism

 

well yeah but you have to sell it and church it up till they get the power

 

The Daily podcast today was about the relationship between Apple and China. Makes me wanna not buy another iPhone.

 

Good luck with that.

 

A lot of American companies, looking for eternal growth, have gotten in bed with China. Making 20 billion isn't enough, they have to make 30 billion, and kowtow to China's demands.

China is able to quasi-govern the USA through these means.

 

China controls access to labor, and while that is a profit argument, in some cases it could be the difference between profitable and not profitable.

When it comes to technology, there is a "make the world a better place" narrative that squeaks in that says we can deal with China today, because, tomorrow, the world will be better, and we won't need China. So it is seen as a means to an end.

The only part of that equation that isn't handled... is... what if we always need China.

 

The other argument Apple apparently makes is that you have a better chance of changing China if you're in China than if you're on the "sidelines." It all sounds like BS to me.

 

"a better chance of changing" is passive language. If if Apple isn't working to change China, they have zero chance. They're presenting a hypothetical argument to respond to a real criticism.

 

It's one of the reasons I'm not a huge fan or giving a ton of credit to all these global companies coming out with rainbow logos and messages of "support" during Pride month. Are they doing the same in China? The Middle East?

A company either has certain values or it doesn't. You don't get to pick the values you want some places and not pick those same values in other places. At that point, it's clearly just lip service and your only true value is making the most money possible.

 

Or, in other words, they're full of shit.

The podcast was a good listen. I was not aware that Chinese law essentially forced Apple to give the government access to the data of its people by making it store the data, as well as the encryption keys in China. Definitely gives a different perspective on the back and forth going on between Apple and Facebook right now. Apple seems to enjoy talking out of both sides of its mouth.

 

They are not.

 

As does facebook, on other matters. Big tech are all mercs with no real values other than growth.

 

Exactly. What sort of "ally" only stands up for you in the places that are, for the most part, accepting of you?

I do give a slight pass to some companies who provide goods that offer significant health/life improvements, though. If removing your product from a specific country would negatively impact the people of that country to a significant degree, then I'm at least a little more okay with you bending to the will of that country's government. Medical equipment/tests, for example. But I'm also not naive enough to believe that those types of companies aren't motivated by the $$$ to the same degree as companies like Bethesda.

 

The way China turned the screws on Elon Musk was a pretty big [uck fay] you too

 

It’s absurd. My company is probably no different than other large multinational companies or its competitors but it’s nauseating. A recent prompt on a training encouraged people to consider the practices of our clients and if they could effect our reputation if they should be a client. Cool cool. Y’all ready to drop a not insignificant number of our biggest clients for failing to adhere to these standards? No? Color me shocked.

 

That's a cynical view. They do have a better chance of changing China from within. They might be failing, but they do have a better chance within than from without.

 

china is doing a good job of changing them

 

How so?