Conflict Minerals

**Prelauncher** · 11-23-2012, 02:32 PM

Just read a very interesting article on the Escapist. Part 1 Part 2

From ivory and rubber to blood diamonds, now we have moved on to blood minerals. Gold, tin and tungsten and more in our iPhones, computers, TV sets pay for horrible wars, violence, rape, etc. in Congo.
The world is really a shitty place. I was actually unaware of this problem, I have no idea how I've missed it.
Is there really no end to the exploitation of poor african countries?

Rath mentioned good solutions to the problem; Companies founding their own mines in order to make sure the minerals are "Conflict free". But will it be enough since the government in Congo appears to be unable (and somewhat unwilling) to solve the situation?

**The chaser** · 11-23-2012, 02:49 PM

World is shitty. I like to think that I will change it somehow. Maybe with raep?

I already knew that. And a lot of things more that government and companies don't want us to know.

**Prelauncher** · 11-23-2012, 03:01 PM

(11-23-2012, 02:49 PM)The chaser Wrote: World is shitty. I like to think that I will change it somehow. Maybe with raep?

I already knew that. And a lot of things more that government and companies don't want us to know.

I hope you're meaning something else and haven't mis-spelled "rape".

But yeah, it's frightening how little we actually know about what's going on with industries and governments. That's why the internet is so great - Freedom of speech!

**The chaser** · 11-23-2012, 03:11 PM

(11-23-2012, 03:01 PM)Prelauncher Wrote:
(11-23-2012, 02:49 PM)The chaser Wrote: World is shitty. I like to think that I will change it somehow. Maybe with raep?

I already knew that. And a lot of things more that government and companies don't want us to know.
I hope you're meaning something else and haven't mis-spelled "rape".

But yeah, it's frightening how little we actually know about what's going on with industries and governments. That's why the internet is so great - Freedom of speech!

I actually meant rape. I'm Dolan, Prelauncher. Rmein dat, pls

**Bridge** · 11-23-2012, 04:42 PM

I'm sorry, I just can't bring myself to care. I have enough to worry about in my life, I don't need to carry other people's baggage with me. Yes, it sucks, but I am perfectly capable of living with myself, especially because I don't buy into fashion at all (and therefore don't buy jewelry). If I took everything in life at face value I would be a nervous wreck (I would probably be dead of a heart attack).

This is how the world works, always has worked, and always will work. You just have to learn to deal with it. I lived in a third world country (albeit a relatively safe one) and saw real, tangible poverty and the effect it has on society; it's not pretty but it is basically inevitable. At the very least, you will never even come close to being able to do anything about it. Sorry, but it's the truth.

**Statyk** · 11-23-2012, 05:24 PM

I'm with Bridge on this one, sadly. The world is, and always will be this way... I DO care for them, but there is nothing I can do, therefore, I just tend to keep away.

**The chaser** · 11-23-2012, 05:36 PM

(11-23-2012, 05:24 PM)Statyk Wrote: I'm with Bridge on this one, sadly. The world is, and always will be this way... I DO care for them, but there is nothing I can do, therefore, I just tend to keep away.

^The same.

**Prelauncher** · 11-23-2012, 05:48 PM

First, Bridge, this is not about you not buying jewelry. This is about our everyday gadgets, the phone in your pocket, the computer you read this on, the servers we're communicating through. A huge global market. And there's a whole lot more to this than poverty, if this was about third world poverty the miners and villagers would be grateful. And saying that you don't care about their suffering for you being able to send a text? Dude, that's cold. The people suffering in the mines don't care about your worries, you carrying their "baggage" will not improve their situation. But what is of importance is that we as consumers are aware of the situation. We don't need to change our lifestyle. Action is being made as we speak, microsoft, sony, motorola etc are making great progress figthing this in this very moment. But they won't care about this problem if we consumers don't care. Just by knowing that this is a problem we're fighting it. And saying that this is "normal" or that we should just stay away, with that atitude we might aswell abandon everything that we call civilization and embrase totall chaos.
"People are being opressed, raped and murdered here!"
"Don't worry, that stuff is normal."

Guys, I'm not calling for massive action here. I'm not saying that we should all stop with computers. I'm just raising awareness of something that is a problem and that should not be ignored.

**Rapture** · 11-23-2012, 06:07 PM

Same game, different names.

**Bridge** · 11-23-2012, 06:33 PM

Point taken, Prelauncher. The thing is, I am not ignorant of the problems in the world, just unmindful.