Foxconn explosion won't greatly affect iPad 2 production for Apple - Page 2

I'm never getting a haircut at SuperCuts again.

Don't forget... you're trying to explain something to a guy who says moronic things like this:

"You and Solipsism would defend Apple if Steve Jobs was caught sneaking into the place with a fucking bomb. "

Nuff said...

In you're above post the word "do" is key -- people pay attention to what you do rather than listen to what you say!

You, me or anyone on these forums -- can say anything, and do nothing!

What does that accomplish?

I probably don't spend enough time here to be fully aware of the cause of the friction between magicj and others on this forum but, just considering this isolated issue, I don't think he is being that unreasonable in wanting Apple to take some action.

If the reports of the extent of the dust problem at this factory are correct, and whether it was aluminum or magnesium (both are easily dispersed and explosive at small particle sizes), this is an obvious and serious hazard. In the US and elsewhere there are clear regulations regarding electrical equipment specifications for such environments to prevent explosions, if the presence of airborne dust cannot be mitigated.

Even though Foxconn is just a contractor, it would not seem unreasonable to expect Apple, as a major customer, at least to require them to adhere to basic infrastructure safety standards.

As for all the slavery analogies, I don't think there is any need to go there. Worker conditions are much more a locally defined and subjective standard than plant infrastructure and engineering safety.

Yeah cause we all know that Apple owns Foxconn and they decide Chinese labor laws. Jobs himself decides everything that happens at the plants.

NOT!



Less than 20-30% of volume comes from that plant and we don't know that the ipads that are assembled there were done so in the area where the explosion took place.

For all we know it was a bunch of Sony TVs that created the dust and a faulty XBox that exploded and ignited it.

Sales Tax, plus I'm not in a rush. I already have mine; this one's just for my wife's games.

Or not. But that is beside the point


That is the real point. If there is any kind of Apple connection it is hyped for hits.

I might have missed it but did he ever tell us what app he's developing/developed?

they don't just happen at Apple related places. They happen everywhere.

But the media only cares to hype up the Apple incidents because they get tons of hits which means tons of ad revenue etc. Who cares about the facts, like Apple doesn't control Chinese labor law. Or that perhaps the area of the explosion was on the far end from any Apple related production. If they can slap Apple in the headline they will

His app is #2 on this list:

http://tnw.co/lNR2G

How do we know that Apple isn't taking action. I suspect that Apple is investigating the cause and possible solutions -- rather than making a meaningless knee-jerk PR reply.

Apple is usually quiet about assistance it provides to others -- for obvious reasons!

Sometimes, though, it will publicize its assistance in order to encourage others to do the same.

Just because Apple isn't talking about something doesn't mean that Apple isn't doing something!

Many corporations act the same -- and it's driven by the morals, ethics, and business acumen of their leadership.

I doubt he has that kind of humor.

I agree - I think it is likely that Apple is working on this. I was really questioning why the widespread response to magicj's post seemed to be to suggest that this was not something that Apple had any responsibility to address.

Apple is:

Apple Says Working With Foxconn to Explore Cause of China Explosion http://allthingsd.com/20110520/apple...ina-explosion/

Apple: Supplier Code of Conduct http://images.apple.com/supplierresp...nduct_V3_3.pdf

Apple: Supplier Responsibility http://www.apple.com/supplierresponsibility/

Apple: Auditing for Compliance http://www.apple.com/supplierrespons...ompliance.html

Apple: Beyond Compliance http://www.apple.com/supplierrespons...ompliance.html

Apple: Supplier Responsibility 2011 Progress Report http://images.apple.com/supplierresp...ess_Report.pdf


And has been doing so for some time now:

• 2010 Report http://images.apple.com/supplierresp...ess_Report.pdf
• 2009 Report http://forums.appleinsider.com/showt...=1#post1868540
• 2008 Report http://images.apple.com/supplierresp...ess_Report.pdf
• 2007 Report http://images.apple.com/supplierresp...ess_Report.pdf

Apple insider writes a report about iPad 2's production forecasts but nothing about the 3rd worker who died from injuries?

Yeah, because workers who die in the factories are a normal business expense right?

Pathetic.

http://www.engadget.com/2011/05/22/f...r-watchdog-re/


Simply writing a report about a third parties status is one thing, actually doing something about it is something completely different.

Law makers and scientists always write reports about the status of Global Warming in their reports to congress and other institutions. You think they are doing anything about it? The answer is no.

The only way that Apple will have a vested interest in its third party OEM's affair would be if the factories are based in USA and are Apple owned. Only then will Apple (due to strict labor laws and occupational health and hazards standards in the US) act upon its responsibilities.

That list is from Wikipedia, a user editable online encyclopedia of "knowledge" or so they say.

The problem is they are USER EDITABLE, as in false representation or facts are bound to happen. Some of the companies on that list arent even Foxconn customer. If they are, the link doesnt provide unquestionable proof of its status.

I don't think that list was posted as a complete, verifiable, unquestionable work of reference, just as an indication that Foxconn has a number of large customers besides Apple.

I agree. I guess money is more important?

Nice to put something completely off-topic into the mix. The big difference is that global warming is still unproven beyond a shadow of a doubt and still debated heavily. Human life is not. People are dying and working in unthinkable conditions so we can enjoy cheap gadgets. It's nice how we can just look past that thought.

What is pathetic is having to see your name appear.

Read the friggin reports or at least a qualified reviewers take on it, i.e., Apple's 2011 supplier report: child workers, bribes, "involuntary labor" http://arstechnica.com/apple/news/20...d-business.ars

Wilt Chamberlain had it right: "No one roots for Goliath."

Back in the day, everyone hated on Microsoft. Microsoft was Goliath. It threw its weight around. Everybody else was a little guy trying his hardest to take down the big, bad Goliath. Apple has become that company now. It has gotten so big and successful that everything it does is "mean, unfair, and anticompetitive," never mind that everybody else is doing the same stuff.

Foxconn has plenty of customers besides Apple. Yet, any article criticizing Foxconn business practices is always linked to Apple. Look on Yahoo!. The news story is titled "Explosion at China iPad factory shows supply risks." The article does not make a single mention of other Foxconn customers. Readers get the impression that Foxconn is an Apple subsidiary. That's why every thing that goes wrong at Foxconn gets blamed on Apple.

At the end of the day, these news sites wants hits. As long as that is the case, accurate reporting is not going to matter. When journalists publish news stories about Apple's suppliers, or Apple in general, they don't care if they are applying a double-standard. The reason is simple. Stories that criticize Apple get hits but stories that criticize other companies don't.

As long as there are rational individuals who care to calmly analyze the situation before passing judgment, these kinds of sensationalist stories don't bother me much. I know that some people are going to call me an Apple apologist. I have been called that before, saying that I "gloss over" every little thing that Apple does because it's Apple. But I can say with my head held high that I don't apply double standards. I don't apply one set of rules for Apple and another set of rules for everybody else. If I defend something that Apple does which others criticize, I will be the first one to do the same for any other company.

I think you've been listening a little too much to Cave Johnson.

Seriously though, Apple needs to quit taking on this burden with Foxconn themselves. They should use their might and influence to form some sort of alliance with the other major clients eg HP and so on to negotiate and audit what's happening in the factories.

What is magic is the lack of mention of all of the other Foxconn customers... I bet you they're just happy there's very little mention of them. As they continue to churn out massive amounts of plastic crap.

Yes, hold Apple accountable... But to be fair let's not forget the other major companies involved.

This is what makes it fun. I guess I don't know if EVERY plant has troubles, BUT I guess you haven't been seeing articles about suicides last year or work conditions in China. Do a google search sometime.

Absolutely, but

Sony and Nokia
http://news.cnet.com/8301-31021_3-20006316-260.html

Acer
http://www.businessweek.com/news/201...s-quarter.html

Apple, Dell and HP
http://news.cnet.com/8301-31021_3-20006010-260.html

My point is Foxconn has many big name customers besides Apple.