Conflict Minerals and the Game Industry: The Problem

[shiajun]

I truly, truly hope that this is just obvious trolling. That disconnection from the world won't help you in the end. These kind of problems don't get self-contained. Out of mind, out of sight doesn't work here. Sooner or later it all comes back to you, as with environmental abuse (which is also a problem in this case). It's no so far fetched that some Congolese terrorist group may strike somewhere in your country arguing that the blind eye of people with your mentality has favored hell on earth on their families, and that you must pay.

I am always quite frustrated when people assume I am trolling. I assure you, that is my genuine stance on the issue. I can't see how it could possibly affect me. Will their mining procedures ruin the environment? Possibly. In AFRICA. I also reject the notion that the Congolese would strike at us, because that would mean they had stopped fighting each other. Nor do I believe that their problem will spread to the civilized world where we live. The problem in the Congo is that a bunch of ignorant barbarians discovered that they were rich, and set about fighting over it. We in the U.S.A. have plenty of resources of our own, but we don't have their problems. Our mining and business procedures have only become more equitable over time, not less.

I apologize for the trolling comment. As much as you find it hard to conceive how the problem might affect you, I also find it hard to assimilate such sincere lack of empathy to widespread tragedy. I perceive your comment as "My consumer habits make people slaughter each other, subject children to slavery and favor entire populations devolve into savage exploitation. I couldn't care less as long as I get my next shiny gadget and console".

My reference to environmental issues is that they rarely stay localized. All ecological systems are interlinked. The effect may not be immediate, but it all snowballs into the complex systems we now have between society, economics and environment. Likewise, social problems that feed economic supply chains, specially one as unstable as conflict minerals, will not remain an Africa-bound for long.

The US may have a lot of resources, but evidently not all the ones it needs for its infrastructure, otherwise this conflict would not exist at all. Since mining is a global business, the US, as a player, must collaborate to make it as equitable as its internal market, otherwise it's as guilty of the genocide ocurring as those ignorant barbarians you mention.

However, I suggest we wait for part 2 of the article to see what Mr. Cath has in store. Right now I feel I'm missing too much info to have a fruitful discussion.

 

[Nurb]

Apple users and wal-mart shoppers have proven child labor, poisioned by working conditions, are acceptable as long as customers can't see them.

It'd be nice if something could be done...

Here's another article and photoset of exploited workers used by the western nations
http://www.flickr.com/photos/81504640@N00/sets/72157605348907561/

 

[KingGolem]

I apologize for the trolling comment. As much as you find it hard to conceive how the problem might affect you, I also find it hard to assimilate such sincere lack of empathy to widespread tragedy. I perceive your comment as "My consumer habits make people slaughter each other, subject children to slavery and favor entire populations devolve into savage exploitation. I couldn't care less as long as I get my next shiny gadget and console".

What you've described is a pretty spot-on grasp of my position. I don't feel a single twinge of pity for the Africans, and encourage their exploitation, because I fear that stopping it would interrupt the flow of resources. It's like the great Mel Brooks once said, "Tragedy is when I cut my little finger. Comedy is when you fall down an open manhole and die." It's only tragic when something bad happens to me.

My reference to environmental issues is that they rarely stay localized. All ecological systems are interlinked.

No, I don't believe that. True, all ecological systems are interlinked, but come on, now, they'd have to be blasting out mines with old army-surplus nukes for that to have an effect on the ecosystem all the way over here. I don't think the politics of the region could affect us, either, since they're too busy fighting each other to affect us. They are comfortably remote. Hell, the Mexican drug wars are practically next door, and they barely affect me at all.

The US may have a lot of resources, but evidently not all the ones it needs for its infrastructure, otherwise this conflict would not exist at all.

That's not the point. Of course we have to engage in trade for some resources, but what I was saying is that we've managed to exploit our own resources without turning America into a living hell. The Congolese can't do that, because they're ignorant barbarians. Further, why would I be concerned about being "guilty" of genocide? I just explained how their suffering does not affect me. Those minerals, do, however. We need to keep them coming.

Just because an issue doesn't directly affect you doesn't mean it's a non-issue. Ignore it if you like, but at least respect the people who acknowledge it by not demeaning their efforts. Some people would actually like to make the world a better place for everyone, not just themselves.

Importance is relative. Where an African is going to get his next meal is very important to him, but to me it's completely irrelevant. To me, the suffering of Africans is indeed a non-issue. I think it's a non-issue for everyone in the U.S., and if somebody brings it up, I will point out how it doesn't adversely affect us, and how it is actually beneficial. I also feel that the philosophy of helping others for its own sake is illogical. You basically make another person's problems more important than your own. Who could be more important to you than yourself?

 

[ResonanceSD]

Conflict Minerals and the Game Industry: The Problem

Our thirst for nifty gadgets is fueling a nonstop war in the Congo.

Read Full Article

Great article, really engaging! =D

So, solutions? I mean, FoxConn is a horrendous abuser of human rights but it's still around =\

 

[shiajun]

BIG snip

So, in short, "My desired way of life gets others murdered, tortured and raped. I approve." The implications of such a philosophy are so profound and ramified that discussing them here would completely derail the article at hand.

So I won't.

I dearly hope that neither you or anyone you care about ever finds themselves on the other side of the stick you wave at the world.

 

[Vizanto]

I am a terrible, soulless human being of no worth because I cannot comprehend other peoples suffering over the convenience of me to play with electronic toys.

Fixed that last reply for ya.

 

[RhombusHatesYou]

Conflict Minerals and the Game Industry: The Problem

Our thirst for nifty gadgets is fueling a nonstop war in the Congo.

Excellent primer piece on the history of resource based conflict in the Congo.

 

[KingGolem]

So, in short, "My desired way of life gets others murdered, tortured and raped. I approve."

No, that's not quite correct. I don't care about the murder, torture, and rape, but I strongly approve of cheap minerals. The former is no consequence, but the latter is a great benefit.

I am a terrible, soulless human being of no worth because I cannot comprehend other peoples suffering over the convenience of me to play with electronic toys.

Fixed that last reply for ya.

"Terrible" and "soulless" are your opinions, so I don't care. Also, keep in mind that "worth" is subjective. I'm worth nothing to you, you're worth nothing to me, but we are both of immense worth to ourselves. And do you seriously think I can't comprehend their suffering? I realize their lives are terrible; that's not the issue. I don't care that their lives are terrible, because like you, their lives are worthless to me. Cheap access to electronics is a benefit to me, while the suffering of others is generally of no consequence to me. It's quite simple.

Relish in the fortune that there are those who do not think like you, and have driven forth their ideals that undoubtedly made your life as comfortable as it is now.

Oh, of course, because all of human development has just been one big charity project, right? Wrong. Compassion is not necessary to build society. In fact, I'd say it's a pretty minor factor. Think of it this way: why do we have things like OSHA, minimum wage, and worker's compensation? Is it because the big corporate bosses felt compassion for their workers and gave it to them? No, it's because those workers wanted to make things better for themselves, and determined that the best way to do so was to form labor unions and make demands of their employers. It worked, you see. Why, then, did those corporations exist in the first place? Capitalism. Entrepreneurs wanted to make things better for themselves by making lots of money, so they invested in the companies that make the things we enjoy, like the laptop I'm typing on right now. Did the companies just give these things to me out of the kindness of their hearts? No, I had to pay for them. It's quid pro quo, the completely selfish founding principle of economics.

 

[RhombusHatesYou]

I don't care

Wow, you're so edgy I think I got a papercut reading your post.

 

[Alexnader]

I fail to see the issue here. What I took from the article was this: the exploitation of the Congolese people provides us with cheap minerals. Cheap minerals means cheaper electronics, which is nice. As this exploitation allows us to enjoy cheaper electronics, I must endorse it. Cheaper electronics is something that positively affects me, while the suffering of Africans is of no importance at all.

You seem to be under the misconception that all this chaos in the DRC is somehow benefiting you. Sure, slave labour makes things cheaper but that saving is mitigated at least in part by the lack of regulation that allows it to exist in the first place. Let's compare this to the sweat shops in China. There you have cheap labour making cheap goods that are quickly exported to the glorious USA, critically all this is done in an evironment of stability.

In the DRC we have frequent and unpredictable armed conflict disrupting commerce and production. We have innumerable parasites/middle men "taxing" the resources before they are even sent to the smelters. I'd like to know the measure with which you determined that slaves using hand tools are cheaper and more efficient at moving resources than mining companies with excavators, trucks and screening tools are.

I really would not be surprised if it would work out in your favour fiscally if the DRC is stabilised. Also I believe you are trolling.

 

[Vizanto]

I honestly hope he's trolling because otherwise he's just a genuinely disgusting and terrible human being.

 

[RA92]

I fail to see the issue here. What I took from the article was this: the exploitation of the Congolese people provides us with cheap minerals. Cheap minerals means cheaper electronics, which is nice. As this exploitation allows us to enjoy cheaper electronics, I must endorse it. Cheaper electronics is something that positively affects me, while the suffering of Africans is of no importance at all.

You seem to be under the misconception that all this chaos in the DRC is somehow benefiting you. Sure, slave labour makes things cheaper but that saving is mitigated at least in part by the lack of regulation that allows it to exist in the first place. Let's compare this to the sweat shops in China. There you have cheap labour making cheap goods that are quickly exported to the glorious USA, critically all this is done in an evironment of stability.

In the DRC we have frequent and unpredictable armed conflict disrupting commerce and production. We have innumerable parasites/middle men "taxing" the resources before they are even sent to the smelters. I'd like to know the measure with which you determined that slaves using hand tools are cheaper and more efficient at moving resources than mining companies with excavators, trucks and screening tools are.

I really would not be surprised if it would work out in your favour fiscally if the DRC is stabilised. Also I believe you are trolling.

Exactly, not to mention supply might be disrupted because of all the armed conflict as workers are frequently displaced.

Also, he is trolling.

 

[Seneschal]

That was very enlightening. I'll be sharing this wherever I can.

And King Golem makes me want to wish for the death of anonymity on the internet, because he wouldn't be splurging his caustic bullshit all over the forum if his employer could see it.

 

[JoshuaMadoc]

I can't say or do anything about a violent situation when I don't have firepower. I'm just not a diplomat.

 

[Ephemeral Folderol]

First of all, kudos to Mr. Rath and the Escapist for your attention to the ongoing humanitarian crisis in the DRC; I hope this can help spark more awareness of the tragic situation (and such measures as the Dodd-Frank SEC disclosures). After all, if the public doesn't even know about it, it's very difficult to get anything done.

Secondly, I admit that I'm actually a little astounded at how well written and thoroughly researched this article is; it really is one of the best short pieces I've read on this issue. Apologies to the Escapist for any low expectations! (Though this also means that I expect more articles of this quality, plz

And thirdly, I'm truly hoping that the comment above ("I don't feel a single twinge of pity for the Africans, and encourage their exploitation, because I fear that stopping it would interrupt the flow of resources.") is pure satire, as it is literally the same mindset that King Leopold II had.

 

[Muspelheim]

Oh, dear... I was under the impression that the mineral trade was a bit of an unpleasant mess in Africa, but I didn't know that the situation was this awful. It's a very good article, and I'm very fond of this series as a whole. Very well done!

Honestly, it's very sad that this exploitation continue like it does, colonialism haven't gone anywhere, apparently. One can hope that the situation will improve if the awareness does. Thing can be much better than this. For all the good it is, I'll have this issue in mind when dealing with electronics. This isn't something I'd want to support.

Again, excellent article, and fantastic series overall. Well done!

Also related:

http://img198.imageshack.us/img198/1571/uges01.png

 

[rbstewart7263]

Sir Robert I love your articles. I try to stay informed on the issues around the world and this is the first time that Ive had a real beginning to end reason; as to why the congo is in the shape it is today.