Three months ago This American Life aired a story about Apple (and other electronics companies) and the way the labor practices of their partners in China.
The story exploded into the mainstream media. I am sure everyone has heard at least a little about it. The person who created the story for This American Life has been performing the story as a monologue since 2010.
This past week, This American Life came to learn that most of the story it aired was fabricated especially the most powerful parts. This American Life issued this retraction.
My question (to myself and to you) is what it is about our relationship to China and these other big companies that made this story so compelling. Why did we want to believe? Why was it so easy and gratifying for so many to bash Apple|?
Here’s a relevant article from this week’s NEWSWEEK:
http://www.thedailybeast.com/newsweek/2012/03/11/the-robber-barons-of-silicon-valley.html
The way I see it: The U.S. manufacturing sector is out of work because of the $67 savings (according to the Ira Glass retraction broadcast yesterday) in an electronic product. Given the modern production process, made in America products would be remarkably cheep to consumers, but outsourcing makes obscene bundles for CEOs and stockholders.
Actually, I believe that much of the story about the awful condiions are Foxcomm is true and has been corroborated by reporting elsewhere, including the NYTimes. The rotten thing here is, this lapse in vetting the story may be a pretext for inaction in a situation that deserves action.
I agree completely. My point is not -SCORE ONE FOR APPLE. Absolutely not.
And I have always felt that Apple and many others have to be held accountable. However, what is most interesting to me about this is how someone (and then many other organizations) took advantage of this irresponsible journalism.
It highlights a need I believe is crucial for all of us to be more critical consumers of information overall.
Bradley, did you hear the interviews on “THis American Life” today? The one with the New York Times reporter made me think differently about the whole situation with outsourcing and where this has lead the American economy. I realize this doesn’t answer your question, but I was one who got upset at the thought that Apple would mistreat workers.