Quote:
Originally Posted by tame_deuces
I am displaying no antipathy towards you, just like I'm not displaying antipathy towards creationists by stating that I think their position is stupid.
So you genuinely think that I'm saying that it's 'either/or'? I agree, that would be stupid. I'm saying, that 'on the ground' charity work is not the solution to many of our problems, we need to look at what will remove the causes. This doesn't mean that I think all charity work should cease immediately, of course I don't think that.
Did you read the article about Intel and their conflict mineral free processors that I linked? They're working toward solving the problem, whilst making a profit for themselves and boosting their own local economy, and whilst looking at ways to sustain the local economy in DR Congo in a ethical and fair way.
That is a solution, and it will eventually (hopefully) remove the need for charities to go to the Congo and deal with the consequences of irresponsible and out of control consumerism. My next PC will have an Intel Processor because I want to see
that behaviour continue.
For now, though, the charities are needed on the ground.
Quote:
Originally Posted by tame_deuces
If you find yourself without food a few days, just say the word and I'll be sure to buy myself a phone. I'm a problem-solver and starvation is just a symptom.
Do you genuinely also think that I'm saying that buying a phone will immediately solve world food shortages or homelessness, or whatever? Again, of course I'm not, but the irony is that buying that phone
did feed people, a lot of people.
Much more importantly it helped sustain their jobs and their standard of living, in a fair and ethical manner
and helped with the effort to reduce the demand for conflict minerals, and ensure fair treatment of people in that area of the world and boost local economies (to the tune of over 24k times £300 on this first run). And, since I try to buy ethically whenever I can, I'm probably doing more to help alleviate immediate symptoms and help towards a long term solution than many people are. I'll continue for now to give my £2 a month to oxfam and a few other charities, and buy their pens and raffle tickets, but I consider my ethical spending to money much better spent (and not spent in some cases).