Is Apple missing the good vibe?
Ok, touchy ground here...
I've been a Mac afficionado since buying a Performa 630 at 13 (?) many years ago. I love Apple - it's one of the firms I feel, depressingly, I've partly sold my soul to. I'm thrilled at their recovery, growth, growth explosion with the iPod and the almost universal respect achieved by OS X.
However, whilst not knowing the terms of Greenpeace's campaign against Apple I think that times are a-changing, and Apple - as a pioneer - could be missing the boat, or rather the chance to take a lead. I'd assume that Greenpeace's targeting of Apple is smart. Apple is an innovator, and the computer firm most associated with cool. It's a trend setter, a path blazer. If you're a hip student, kid (or even adult) you use Apple. So, if Apple can take the eco-lead then it would be yet another thing that other makers would feel the need to shamelessly follow. It would be yet another trend that Apple had set for the others.
Perhaps such a move might be cynical, but companies seem to get away with it. A car compnay builds one not that hot eco-car and it's seen as green; another sponsors London buses running on alternative energy - it's an eco-pioneer. The Honda F1 team are going to run their cars this year in an eco-livery. Sounds counter intuitive, but I think it will prove to be a cynical yet intelligent piece of marketing.
In a similar vein - whatever you say, I say, we all say about Bill Gates, his foundation and the amount he is giving to charity is staggeringly impressive. Yes, relatively it might not be a huge sum, I've read criticisms of some of his charity's work and there have been complaints about their investment portfolio (I understand these have been addressed). As a lover of Apple I can't help feeling that given the amount Steve and others have made, especially when there is the whiff - however fair or unfair - that they may have made more than they should, that I might just feel a little better if Apple was shown to be spreading some of its wealth too.
Unnecessary? Cynical? Sop?
Perhaps, but every little helps.
I've been a Mac afficionado since buying a Performa 630 at 13 (?) many years ago. I love Apple - it's one of the firms I feel, depressingly, I've partly sold my soul to. I'm thrilled at their recovery, growth, growth explosion with the iPod and the almost universal respect achieved by OS X.
However, whilst not knowing the terms of Greenpeace's campaign against Apple I think that times are a-changing, and Apple - as a pioneer - could be missing the boat, or rather the chance to take a lead. I'd assume that Greenpeace's targeting of Apple is smart. Apple is an innovator, and the computer firm most associated with cool. It's a trend setter, a path blazer. If you're a hip student, kid (or even adult) you use Apple. So, if Apple can take the eco-lead then it would be yet another thing that other makers would feel the need to shamelessly follow. It would be yet another trend that Apple had set for the others.
Perhaps such a move might be cynical, but companies seem to get away with it. A car compnay builds one not that hot eco-car and it's seen as green; another sponsors London buses running on alternative energy - it's an eco-pioneer. The Honda F1 team are going to run their cars this year in an eco-livery. Sounds counter intuitive, but I think it will prove to be a cynical yet intelligent piece of marketing.
In a similar vein - whatever you say, I say, we all say about Bill Gates, his foundation and the amount he is giving to charity is staggeringly impressive. Yes, relatively it might not be a huge sum, I've read criticisms of some of his charity's work and there have been complaints about their investment portfolio (I understand these have been addressed). As a lover of Apple I can't help feeling that given the amount Steve and others have made, especially when there is the whiff - however fair or unfair - that they may have made more than they should, that I might just feel a little better if Apple was shown to be spreading some of its wealth too.
Unnecessary? Cynical? Sop?
Perhaps, but every little helps.
Comments
Greenpeace knows nothing if they go after Apple
Top Secret: Greenpeace Report Misleading and Incompetent
Greenpeace Apologizes For Apple Stink
There. Feel better now?
Apple could take a lead here. One hopes that it is part of its corporate DNA that it should.
Recycling programs for computers = excellent. Rationally approaching the issues based on facts, instead of rumor, speculation, and FUD = necessary.
Apple ain't perfect, no doubt about it. I'd like to see them step up to the plate more as well, but bringing up the Greenpeace yahoos, or their idiotic PR stunts, just makes the argument horribly flawed.
I think we probably agree. Apple could do more. It would be nice if they did. Yes, we've probably saved loads on AA batteries, but this isn't a thread to congratulate what Apple has done, but what it could do. Why can't the wireless keyboard and mouse be rechargable? We agree that recycling computers is a good idea. Apple is a global company, so why can't its recycling scheme be global? I think all of these are perfectly fair questions.
iPod has made a step in reducing packaging, that is very clear with their laptop and iPod boxes. Seriously. Secondly, iPod RED is out. Some may call this corporate "greenwashing", for me, it's good enough to keep my Apple interest and focus "legit" in my mind. Well, helps me sleeep at night.
Apple can take a stronger lead in environmental management. Maybe Jobs is not fully focusing on environmental clear corporate leadership (compared to other companies) yet. Or, he does his own billionaire-charity-stuff in the quiet on the side.
I donno... Just a few cents from me mind.
"Never throw away" is better than "Recycle" when it comes to computers...
I've just said that I'm not referring to Greenpeace.
You're right, but unfortunately, that's what a lot of folks are going by, under the assumption that GP is rainbows and puppies altruistic, and not Yet Another PR Mongering Corporation.
I would say that if you still have a first generation iPod then you are extremely lucky. I had a first that died after two years and then a 3rd gen (was that the one with the four buttons and scroll wheel?) that died just out of warranty because the hard drive went wrong.
Oh no doubt I lucked out on my iPod - love the old girl.
I think we probably agree. Apple could do more. It would be nice if they did. Yes, we've probably saved loads on AA batteries, but this isn't a thread to congratulate what Apple has done, but what it could do. Why can't the wireless keyboard and mouse be rechargable? We agree that recycling computers is a good idea. Apple is a global company, so why can't its recycling scheme be global? I think all of these are perfectly fair questions.
Absolutely. I think it was the lead off with GP that soured people here. Okay, soured *me*, but I'm a crotchety old fart.
And yeah, I agree about the keyboard/mouse - OTOH, that would had quite a bit of price to a unit where they don't *need* to save every last mm^3 of space, so it's a balance.
Oh no doubt I lucked out on my iPod - love the old girl...
My iPod Mini died after about 1.5 years in terms of it's music playing ability (battery problem I think)... But given it is a 1st gen and has, OMFG a HARD DISK 4gb inside, the hard disk side of things is still sweet. Rock solid mini-hard-disk, whatever brand they used. And the FW400 connection, gives 4gb FLASH-memory USB2.0 connections a run for their money - 2 years later.
*http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sneakernet