Steve Jobs on a Greener Apple
Linked by Thom Holwerda on Wed 2nd May 2007 19:19 UTC, submitted by DevL
Apple Steve Jobs writes about Apple's efforts to become a more enironmental friendly company. "Apple has been criticized by some environmental organizations for not being a leader in removing toxic chemicals from its new products, and for not aggressively or properly recycling its old products. Upon investigating Apple's current practices and progress towards these goals, I was surprised to learn that in many cases Apple is ahead of, or will soon be ahead of, most of its competitors in these areas. Whatever other improvements we need to make, it is certainly clear that we have failed to communicate the things that we are doing well." Among other things, Apple will introduce LEDs in displays to Macs this year.
E-mail Print r 0   81 Comment(s) http://osne.ws/dra
Thread beginning with comment 236856
To read all comments associated with this story, please click here.
Big and small issues
by irbis on Thu 3rd May 2007 08:46 UTC
irbis
Member since:
2005-07-08

I don't quite understand the logic of some people who criticize green computing on the basis that it would usually mean only small irrelevant things compared to some bigger issues. Well, sure there are also many much bigger environmental problems in the world than, say, the material of your PC hardware. And sure green computing may also be a PR trick for companies like Apple. But small steps forward do matter too. All the small things together become much bigger things easily.

Why should we, say, let our kids freely throw carbage around them, just because small carbaging is only "such a small problem". Carbage and pollution is carbage and pollution even in small quantities. And also negative things cumulate into bigger problems easily if not taken care of.

Green computing and industry is also related to general politics and trends, nationally and globally. Small steps forward make people notice also the bigger issues better too, gradually, and then, though maybe only slowly first, also the more negligent politicians, companies and governments may be globally forced to follow better politics also in those bigger issues. That has already happened in many matters - it is gradual positive development.

Also small things matter. And it matters whether companies and others are either actively lobbying for or against positive environmental (and other, like social) goals and politics.

Edited 2007-05-03 08:55

Reply Score: 3

RE: Big and small issues
by ma_d on Thu 3rd May 2007 16:43 in reply to "Big and small issues"
ma_d Member since:
2005-06-29

I don't think you mentioned this but:

It's a sign from consumers that we want environmentally friendly solutions when we buy products that are commonly considered "green."

If you don't think big corporations are noticing than you haven't been watching tv; watch for "General Electrics" ads. Sure, they're probably lying through their teeth in the commercial and that's our fault if we believe them. But that's not a failure to communicate our wishes, that's us failing to be critical of advertising and corporate actions: A different problem.

If you want to criticize consumers for doing what they can to make things better then please do it elsewhere. I don't want to listen to your off topic drivel about how megalomania-mart is doing more damage than you are good: We can't solve all problems with one solution.

It's like slapping someone on the hand for calling 911 instead of giving CPR. They could have just walked away.

Reply Parent Score: 2