Thursday, October 25, 2012
Saturday Night Live- Tech Talk: iPhone 5
What do you think about this skit? It's clearly suppose to be funny, but do you think it makes people think about where their new technology is coming from or does it make light/fun of those working in China making these phones, and then we forget about it and continue on in our privileged lives?
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Although clearly supposed to be funny, I think the issues shown in this skit are serious and actually effect more people than we realize. Considering, that almost all of us own at least one apple product or have used one before, this issue applies to all of us. So I think we should all really consider what kind of products we're using and where they come from. I think that if this skit can make one person stop and consider where the products they use everyday are coming from, then it could be considered a success. Because after all, how often are the unfortunate people in other couintries brought to our attention (through tv, radio etc.) and we're sad for a minute and then we continue on with our lives. The humor in the skit itself could appeal to those that would normally change the channel had it not been entertaining. So in that way I think this skit could make people think. But the conditions of poision chemical exposure, long work hours and generally unhealthy working and living environment that these workers have to face is very much a reality and I think that this skit has done what any other form of media would have done in this situation; make people seriously think for a second (maybe while laughing) before they continue talking and texting on their iphones.
ReplyDelete-Holly Greenly
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2092277/Apple-Poor-working-conditions-inside-Chinese-factories-making-iPads.html
http://www.economist.com/node/21551498
http://www.nytimes.com/2012/01/26/business/ieconomy-apples-ipad-and-the-human-costs-for-workers-in-china.html?pagewanted=all&_r=0
Agreeing with the previous comment, I do believe the issues presented in this skit are funny yet do pose to be serious. Many of us do own or have used an apple product, or in general any product produced in china, however none of us have ever thought what must happen in order for the product to be made. For instince, at Foxconn, a factory in Taiyuan which is responsible for producing almost 85% of all Iphone 5's holds over 500 000 employees who work, eat and sleep all in the walled community of Foxconn. They live and work in very harsh conditions with poor sanitation and very thick air. The workers are expected to complete their ten hour shift with no breaks at a wage of 27 yuan, which rounds out to about $4.00 (American). I suppose you could say that so long every apple consumer recieves their new Iphone 5, on time and glitch free, there's no problem. Although on the other hand, many problems continue to lay in the mass production factories scattered around China. While many will laugh at the SNL skit, it may sink in for a few that the condtions chinese workers face are in fact very harsh and true. However, we live in a consumer society, leaving not many seconds before the majority of us continue to mindlessly use our Iphones yet again.
ReplyDelete-Victoria Parker
http://www.extremetech.com/computing/135976-before-you-buy-the-iphone-5-read-this-undercover-report-on-how-its-made