I find this is an issue for me in working for big tech companies. Amazon and Microsoft are not ethically sound companies imo, yet many in the computer science field work for them because of their great salaries and benefits. I still don't know how to justify it, which is why I prefer smaller companies for employment.
I think a lot of this issue boils down to personal responsibility. I think it’s fair to say that many consumers are aware of and against the exploitation of workers in 3rd world countries. If you feel a level of personal responsibility over the suffering of these workers then you shouldn’t buy products that exploit these workers. Personally, I don’t feel such responsibility because I have no way of changing the bigger picture. These larger companies however should feel this personal responsibility because of their ability to create change in the situation, instead of continuing to exploit. Many of these companies walk away with billions of dollars in revenue each year which gives them ultimate power over how they treat 3rd world workers. A power that pales in comparison to any single consumer.
For some odd reason I always thing about how Elon Musk told WFP he could solve world hunger with 6 billion dollars. This might not be applicable as a comparison in our case but what if a company like Apple used that much money to fix their own problem with 3rd world workers? I have no doubt they would be successful.
You bring up a good point about the power difference between us and large scale corporations. It's also interesting how the only way to really advocate for change is through the purchase of the products these companies create. It really is a cycle that I'm not sure will ever be broken.
Just like participating in a democracy, do not underestimate the power of your vote. In this case, that can translate to buying from the company or working for a company that most aligns with your values. Note that no company would completely align 100 percent. But find the best out there.
Do not like Amazon? Don't subscribe to prime - could help you practice delayed gratification as well 🙂. Or buy from a competitor - Walmart, Target, Best Buy...
I don't think I'd say everything produced under capitalism can't be ethically consumed, but the large majority of things usually have some moral issue in their production/consumption.
I find this is an issue for me in working for big tech companies. Amazon and Microsoft are not ethically sound companies imo, yet many in the computer science field work for them because of their great salaries and benefits. I still don't know how to justify it, which is why I prefer smaller companies for employment.
I think a lot of this issue boils down to personal responsibility. I think it’s fair to say that many consumers are aware of and against the exploitation of workers in 3rd world countries. If you feel a level of personal responsibility over the suffering of these workers then you shouldn’t buy products that exploit these workers. Personally, I don’t feel such responsibility because I have no way of changing the bigger picture. These larger companies however should feel this personal responsibility because of their ability to create change in the situation, instead of continuing to exploit. Many of these companies walk away with billions of dollars in revenue each year which gives them ultimate power over how they treat 3rd world workers. A power that pales in comparison to any single consumer.
For some odd reason I always thing about how Elon Musk told WFP he could solve world hunger with 6 billion dollars. This might not be applicable as a comparison in our case but what if a company like Apple used that much money to fix their own problem with 3rd world workers? I have no doubt they would be successful.
You bring up a good point about the power difference between us and large scale corporations. It's also interesting how the only way to really advocate for change is through the purchase of the products these companies create. It really is a cycle that I'm not sure will ever be broken.
Just like participating in a democracy, do not underestimate the power of your vote. In this case, that can translate to buying from the company or working for a company that most aligns with your values. Note that no company would completely align 100 percent. But find the best out there.
Ethical mobile phones? Check https://www.ethicalconsumer.org/technology/shopping-guide/ethical-mobile-phones
Do not like Amazon? Don't subscribe to prime - could help you practice delayed gratification as well 🙂. Or buy from a competitor - Walmart, Target, Best Buy...
I don't think I'd say everything produced under capitalism can't be ethically consumed, but the large majority of things usually have some moral issue in their production/consumption.