Apple is not in the business of free speech, they're in the business of making money. If censoring one song means they can keep making money, they will.
Companies are required to obey the law. Apple didn't make the law requiring certain terms and topics to be censored in China, but they are required to obey it, just like they are required to obey censorship laws in other countries, including America.
It is not the job of western corporations to "fix" China. That is up to the Chinese.
Google complied with Chinese law by ceasing to do business in China. I imagine that opponents of censorship would prefer that Apple follow suit.
Good luck if anyone expects apple to choose morals when sales are on the line. And I don't think apple would be willing to risk all that sweet, sweet sweatshop labour.
Leaving China DOES do something to help solve China's problems, by demonstrating that major international corporations will refuse to do business will a genocidal tyrannical regime.
Staying in China and helping the government censor does not only not help fix China's problems, it makes them worse! It's anti-helping!
Wisdom comes in recognizing the consequences of actions. You either lack it, or you're another loser pro-China troll (which is much the same thing).
China doesn't need apple, but apple wants a chance to drain China economic resources into apples international holding s.
All companies are clamoring to do business with China because they are worried that China well leave them behind.
I just can't stand the idea of a country that is doing economically well not funneling it into their bank accounts.
U.s. is huge you think there's plenty enough money to be made here why do they even need to go to China.
Apple is just being greedy.they already make enough to
God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change,
Courage to change the things I can,
And wisdom to know the difference.
The problem is not that Apple lacks courage, but that you lack wisdom.
There's also a difference between seeing a pool of shit and diving on in anyway because that's where the gold is and saying, I don't want to swim in this, I have enough gold.
As long as they still make smartphones, use any form of technology with any components from China, or hire contractors from China...Google is STILL doing business with China.
Companies are required to obey the law. Apple didn't make the law requiring certain terms and topics to be censored in China, but they are required to obey it, just like they are required to obey censorship laws in other countries, including America.
The Chinese government kills people deemed to be threats. Apple, Google, et al. obey Chinese censorship laws. People outside of China (e.g., on slashdot) criticize China and Apple, Google, et al., and that initial criticism is further criticized.
This is all as it should be in a civil society, with the possible exception of the first part.
It is not the job of western corporations to "fix" China. That is up to the Chinese.
Here on slashdot, we're not trying to fix China. The China detractors are under no delusion that they have any non-zero influence on the Chinese government. Rather, the
Companies are required to obey the laws of the countries that they do business in, that is true. There is no requirement however that a company must to business in all countries. There's a greed factor that keeps Apple in China.
There's also a sort of middle ground. Be slow and lax to respond to the law. They could let these songs be available for one or two weeks before shutting them off, letting them get out there while still being able to say "whoops, we had some internal process issues preventing us
And the SS soldiers were required to obey their orders. They didn't make the laws regarding forced exterminations and genocides, but they were required to obey it. Just like other soldiers are required to obey their commanding officers orders.
It's not the job of the individual SS soldiers to question orders. They are just doing their jobs.
as human beings it is their job to question any orders and make sure they agree with them and understand the implications or refuse to comply until that information is produced.
That's the biggest lie that the military ever sold people was that you're not responsible for your own actions as long as someone else is paying and ordering you to do so.
It is individuals refusing to comply that is our last defense against evil
To be awake is to be alive. -- Henry David Thoreau, in "Walden"
Business as usual (Score:5, Insightful)
Apple is not in the business of free speech, they're in the business of making money. If censoring one song means they can keep making money, they will.
Re: Business as usual (Score:0)
So whatever makes them money is OK with you?
Re: Business as usual (Score:4, Insightful)
Companies are required to obey the law. Apple didn't make the law requiring certain terms and topics to be censored in China, but they are required to obey it, just like they are required to obey censorship laws in other countries, including America.
It is not the job of western corporations to "fix" China. That is up to the Chinese.
Could always pull out of China (Score:5, Insightful)
Google complied with Chinese law by ceasing to do business in China. I imagine that opponents of censorship would prefer that Apple follow suit.
Re: (Score:3)
Google complied with Chinese law by ceasing to do business in China. I imagine that opponents of censorship would prefer that Apple follow suit.
Good luck if anyone expects apple to choose morals when sales are on the line. And I don't think apple would be willing to risk all that sweet, sweet sweatshop labour.
Re: (Score:2)
There is no "moral" choice, because Apple's actions are not going to change anything either way.
These are the choices Apple faces:
1. Stay in China, and do nothing to fix China's problems.
2. Leave China, and do nothing to fix China's problems.
This is the famous Serenity Prayer [wikipedia.org]:
God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change,
Courage to change the things I can,
And wisdom to know the difference.
The problem is not that Apple lacks courage, but that you lack wisdom.
Re: (Score:1)
Leaving China DOES do something to help solve China's problems, by demonstrating that major international corporations will refuse to do business will a genocidal tyrannical regime.
Staying in China and helping the government censor does not only not help fix China's problems, it makes them worse! It's anti-helping!
Wisdom comes in recognizing the consequences of actions. You either lack it, or you're another loser pro-China troll (which is much the same thing).
Re: Could always pull out of China (Score:2)
Re: (Score:2)
There is no "moral" choice, because Apple's actions are not going to change anything either way.
These are the choices Apple faces:
1. Stay in China, and do nothing to fix China's problems. 2. Leave China, and do nothing to fix China's problems.
This is the famous Serenity Prayer [wikipedia.org]:
God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, Courage to change the things I can, And wisdom to know the difference.
The problem is not that Apple lacks courage, but that you lack wisdom.
There's also a difference between seeing a pool of shit and diving on in anyway because that's where the gold is and saying, I don't want to swim in this, I have enough gold.
Re: (Score:3)
That would require courage and principles in the face of profits.
Google partnering with Chinese gov't too (Score:4, Insightful)
Google complied with Chinese law by ceasing to do business in China. I imagine that opponents of censorship would prefer that Apple follow suit.
And then Google changed its mind and started making surveilance/censorship software for China. Google has also partnered with the Chinese government.
Re: (Score:3)
Re: (Score:3)
Companies are required to obey the law. Apple didn't make the law requiring certain terms and topics to be censored in China, but they are required to obey it, just like they are required to obey censorship laws in other countries, including America.
The Chinese government kills people deemed to be threats. Apple, Google, et al. obey Chinese censorship laws. People outside of China (e.g., on slashdot) criticize China and Apple, Google, et al., and that initial criticism is further criticized.
This is all as it should be in a civil society, with the possible exception of the first part.
It is not the job of western corporations to "fix" China. That is up to the Chinese.
Here on slashdot, we're not trying to fix China. The China detractors are under no delusion that they have any non-zero influence on the Chinese government. Rather, the
Re: (Score:2)
Companies are required to obey the laws of the countries that they do business in, that is true. There is no requirement however that a company must to business in all countries. There's a greed factor that keeps Apple in China.
There's also a sort of middle ground. Be slow and lax to respond to the law. They could let these songs be available for one or two weeks before shutting them off, letting them get out there while still being able to say "whoops, we had some internal process issues preventing us
Re: (Score:1)
Re: Business as usual (Score:2)