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0 pointsmichaelochurch13y ago0 comments

I'd be inclined to give direct managers a pass, in most cases. Chances are, the guy's direct boss is working in the same horrible conditions as he had.

I still think that this man must be avenged, possibly many degrees up the chain. Where in the hierarchy that happens, I don't have the information that would be needed to call that shot.

A better goal in this case is getting people informed about the truths and the back stories of our nice electronic sand where they came from, who made them, in what conditions, etc.

I agree. And I'd like to see alternatives. I'm glad that China is industrializing. That's a really good thing. However, I'd prefer the option to pay $200 more for a device made in humane conditions.

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clicks13y ago· 2 in thread

I still think that this man must be avenged, possibly many degrees up the chain.

Why must he be avenged? I mean, that is pretty rather strong language there. Why shouldn't his superiors just be subject to an investigation and held accountable for specific wrongs and oversights?

Michael, there's an order and law to be respected, and I think indeed you'll only find success in the fights of injustices if you walk in an avenue already established (know that this world will by and large resist most all progressive and novel ideas, you either have to disguise your ideas in sweetly packaged trojan horse forms, or have yourself backed by immense power to see any substantial change effected).

However, I'd prefer the option to pay $200 more for a device made in humane conditions.

Me too. We've gotta find some way to let the world know this.

May I have your e-mail address please? I'd like to speak to you about some things.

michaelochurchOP13y ago

Michael, there's an order and law to be respected

Is there? The people in charge of this society have made themselves above all laws and order.

If murder were truly illegal for everyone, explain health insurance. Why do rich people get to hide behind their companies when they let people die for profit? Highly inconsistent, that is.

I think indeed you'll only find success in the fights of injustices if you walk in an avenue already established

Well, I have mixed feelings about that. Nonviolent overthrow of an oppressor is always better than the violent kind, but violence is better than doing nothing and letting an evil elite reign.

If there's a nonviolent way to get rid of the current global elite, I'd love to hear it. Technology is supposed to deliver on that; we don't "overthrow" them, we just outperform them. In practice, though, they seem to have redefined the rules to suit them (see: VC-istan) and keep us "in our place".

FD3SA13y ago

Unfortunately, I sense that the majority of HN readers are still in the idealistic phase of their political views. As in, they believe in the ideals of a nation and not its realities. It can be very difficult, even traumatizing, for a person to transition from one to the other. Here is Aaron Swartz's experience: http://www.aaronsw.com/weblog/epiphany

You can only tackle a problem once you acknowledge it exists. Unfortunately, I have yet to see that critical mass on HN regarding the issues you are passionate about. Until that happens, you will just be seen as a pessimistic contrarian by such folk.

I recommend that anyone who fiercely disagrees, or is confused by, Michael's viewpoints on this issue to read Chomsky's Understanding Power.

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