"Ethical Diamonds"
Posted: Sun Jan 10, 2021 4:29 pm
It may be inappropriate to raise an issue like this because of its political content, in which case I won't be offended to have it removed. I'm curious to know how other radio users feel about buying stuff from China, as I've got strong reservations.
To be transparent, there are times when a plug adapter or some other kind of rather low-value item is simply unavailable from any other source - then I'm grateful that China is enterprising enough to satisfy such a minority demand.
And if a "local" firm outsources manufacture to China, I'm disappointed but tend to grin and bear it despite the discomfort.
However, when it comes to higher-value items that are clones (or nearly so) of a locally designed product, I draw the line and refuse to support the "rip-off" industry. Even if I'm depriving myself of a bargain, or the design was in the public domain (maybe even "open").
Between those two extremes, of course, there is a much broader grey area.
I'm not suggesting we don't have sharp practice or downright theft in the West, but at least there are laws and accessible courts where a designer can seek redress if hard done by. With China, that is not so easy.
Besides that, why should I care?
Projections are that the Chinese economy will overtake every other nation's in the next decade. That's inevitable, and has a good side as well as bad. Still, I see no reason to hasten the process with its inevitable long-term result of further stifling local industry.
Then there is the political, and especially human rights, dimension. I do care about factory conditions, and don't accept the excuse that workers might be even worse off without such opportunities. Other kinds of discrimination and repression - even what amounts to slave labour - are too well-documented to be dismissed.
At a national level we express concern about these matters and apply pressure through economic or other channels. Isn't it right for individuals also to voice their opinion?
I know life is full of pragmatism and compromises and we have to find a path where we can live with our choices. How do others feel about "conflict diamonds"?
To be transparent, there are times when a plug adapter or some other kind of rather low-value item is simply unavailable from any other source - then I'm grateful that China is enterprising enough to satisfy such a minority demand.
And if a "local" firm outsources manufacture to China, I'm disappointed but tend to grin and bear it despite the discomfort.
However, when it comes to higher-value items that are clones (or nearly so) of a locally designed product, I draw the line and refuse to support the "rip-off" industry. Even if I'm depriving myself of a bargain, or the design was in the public domain (maybe even "open").
Between those two extremes, of course, there is a much broader grey area.
I'm not suggesting we don't have sharp practice or downright theft in the West, but at least there are laws and accessible courts where a designer can seek redress if hard done by. With China, that is not so easy.
Besides that, why should I care?
Projections are that the Chinese economy will overtake every other nation's in the next decade. That's inevitable, and has a good side as well as bad. Still, I see no reason to hasten the process with its inevitable long-term result of further stifling local industry.
Then there is the political, and especially human rights, dimension. I do care about factory conditions, and don't accept the excuse that workers might be even worse off without such opportunities. Other kinds of discrimination and repression - even what amounts to slave labour - are too well-documented to be dismissed.
At a national level we express concern about these matters and apply pressure through economic or other channels. Isn't it right for individuals also to voice their opinion?
I know life is full of pragmatism and compromises and we have to find a path where we can live with our choices. How do others feel about "conflict diamonds"?