Bad Apple? Bullshit, says Jobs
p2pnet.net News:- Apple Computer is toxic, said a crew of pickets outside a shareholder meeting at the company’s headquarters in California.
We already knew that.
Just ask Think Secret, PowerPage and AppleInsider, three web publications it’s trying to stomp into revealing the names of confidential sources who leaked information before Apple boss Steve Jobs wanted it leaked.
And ask the 16 teenagers who were used in a blackly cynical iTunes / iPod advertising campaign which had Pepsi and the Big Music cartel`s RIAA (Recording Industry Association of America) as partners.
But the picketers weren`t protesting Apple`s attempt to warp America`s freedom of speech tradition for its purely commercial interests, or its efforts to sell more music players by exploiting RIAA victims.
They were angry because of other concerns, including environmental issues and the dearth of women in senior roles at the computer maker, says silicon.com, going on:
Rachel Gibson, who was speaking on behalf of an environmentally oriented mutual fund called Green Century Funds, asked why Apple wasn’t doing more to recycle its products.
Jobs, defended the company’s record on recycling and other environmental concerns, says the story, But he also expressed frustration at Apple being singled out for criticism over its peers, calling it `bullshit`.
The activists launched a campaign against Apple in January and, “held up signs reading ‘It’s Earth Day, not trash the earth day’, and ‘Steve, don’t be a bad apple’,” says the story adding,
“One man showed up dressed as an iPod inscribed with the words: ‘My trendy toy turned toxic trash today’.”
Protesters focused on iPod batteries that users can’t replace easily. But, “Jobs took issue with that, pointing out that consumers often throw batteries into the trash. He also said that tens of thousands of iPod customers have replaced their batteries through Apple and that Apple properly disposes of the depleted batteries.
“He went on to note that while the iPod has a small amount of lead, much more of the harmful compound is in cathode-ray tube monitors, which Apple has abandoned for all but its eMac computers.
And on the lack of women in senior positions, “It is a deficiency we have,” Jobs is quoted as sayng .”We recognize it and we are trying to solve it.”
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<------AI usually beats natural stupidity------>
See:-
confidential sources – File sharing equals manslaughter, p2pnet, April 21, 2005
leaked information – Judge rules for Apple in ID case, p2pnet, March 11, 2005
blackly cynical – Pepsi-iTunes Super Bowl ad blasted, p2pnet, January 31, 2004
silicon.com – Jobs annoyed at criticism of not-so-green Apple, April 22, 2005
April 22nd, 2005 at 6:01 pm
This story is pathetic. Your whining about Apple is lame. Why don’t you do something useful – if you have the ability. Apple helped create the computer industry. What have you done.
April 22nd, 2005 at 6:19 pm
Yes, Apple helped to create computer industry. Then they messed up so badly that they were almost out of the business.
Now they are barely managing to get back into the scene and are already starting to prepare to mess things up again. And I hope they succeed in destroying themselves this time.
April 22nd, 2005 at 11:26 pm
lol, well said! ignorance is bliss when you’re talking about apple fanatics
April 23rd, 2005 at 12:34 am
Well thank god someone’s picking on Apple for the right reasons.
Whilst I know (from what I have researched) that Apple does use small amounts of lead in iPods.. and to an extent inevitably in all its hardware, I also know that other major hardware manufacturers are guilty of similar evils.
I think Dell (for instance) have an equal responsibility to recycle (they do, and charge about US$40 to recycle a computer – apple have a similarly costed scheme), but Apple arguably should be doing more.
Considering the inflated prices of their computers (don’t like it, don’t buy it), and the strict control they have over their hardware configurations (they are a hardware company, primarily) and production, you’d think that they might be more wholistic in their innovation – such as create computers that are -more- environmentally friendly, not just integrated proprietary software and simple-but-effective DAPs.
Indeed, with the right campaign mounted, the computer recycling movement should be able to highlight how dangerous some componentry in ALL computers is, simply by tacking themselves on to Apple. They are the media darlings, and whilst people seem hesistant to slam them on their actual product publically (what can you diss in-depth about an OS or UI to an NBC Today show audience, really?) – people ARE much more informed and eager to recycle, and to actively persue products that give the impression of doing that.
As an Apple user, i’m yet to get an iPod. Nor do I run a G5. Nor do I jerk off frantically to Jobs’ picture on a nightly basis. This machine does what I want, and will do so for about 6 years after its manufactur date – its an enclosed machine administered solely and wholey by Apple, to do things Apple software tells it.
Damned right they should be innovating a clean-up of hardware manufacturing materials and practices!
- Justin F
April 23rd, 2005 at 1:44 am
these indiscressions are common and the singling out of apple is heinous. why doesn’t anyone single out microsoft for trying to screw everyone with it’s TCPA agenda, or it’s obvious strong-arming of software, hardware, and other industries?
April 23rd, 2005 at 2:49 am
—why doesn’t anyone single out microsoft—
We do. Frequently. And plenty of others, too.
Cheers!
April 23rd, 2005 at 3:35 am
Microsoft are not only too easy, but their faults are countless and obvious.
Apple have an opportunity to put this negtive press to work: Let the kings of spin start making and marketing environmentally “sound” consumer electronics and computers.
Another way to justify top-shelf pricing.