Apple takes a bite out of speech
October 20, 2023 9:00 AM Subscribe
Jon Stewart's Apple TV show ends over editorial dispute regarding coverage of AI and China. Apple previously garnered public attention by removing an app in order to support the crackdown on Hong Kong protests in 2019. They bolstered this position with a curtailing a file sharing tool used to evade Chinese censorship in 2022.
Apple should never have accepted Jon Stewart's show in the first place. There was a 100% chance that his views would be contrary to Apple's primary business needs at some point.
As for China, Apple has bent over way further than just curtailing a couple of apps to appease the Chinese government. If you can't say Apple is completely in bed with the Chinese government, you can definitively say they are in the bathroom getting undressed.
posted by Tell Me No Lies at 9:20 AM on October 20, 2023 [28 favorites]
As for China, Apple has bent over way further than just curtailing a couple of apps to appease the Chinese government. If you can't say Apple is completely in bed with the Chinese government, you can definitively say they are in the bathroom getting undressed.
posted by Tell Me No Lies at 9:20 AM on October 20, 2023 [28 favorites]
ahead of its decision to end The Problem, Apple approached Stewart directly and expressed its need for the host and his team to be “aligned” with the company’s views on topics discussed.
In what universe did Apple think Jon Stewart would accept that?
posted by gwint at 9:21 AM on October 20, 2023 [45 favorites]
In what universe did Apple think Jon Stewart would accept that?
posted by gwint at 9:21 AM on October 20, 2023 [45 favorites]
Oh I'm sure Stewart knew he'd walk at some point, but if he was able to hold his personal line while holding his personal nose for a time, well, Apple's money is green too.
And it doesn't hurt Stewart's brand at all to be seen walking away from Apple's money because of editorial manipulation.
posted by seanmpuckett at 9:23 AM on October 20, 2023 [43 favorites]
And it doesn't hurt Stewart's brand at all to be seen walking away from Apple's money because of editorial manipulation.
posted by seanmpuckett at 9:23 AM on October 20, 2023 [43 favorites]
China Overtakes U.S. to Become Biggest iPhone Market in Q2 2023 although more recently iPhone sales in China shrink as US political tensions grow. And while Apple has been trying to diversify it's supply chain, as of January of this year, more than 95% of iPhones, AirPods, Macs and iPads are made in China. By October 2010, Foxconn’s factories in Shenzhen alone had as many as 500,000 workers.
posted by gwint at 9:28 AM on October 20, 2023 [5 favorites]
posted by gwint at 9:28 AM on October 20, 2023 [5 favorites]
Meanwhile they didn't remove X/Twitter from the app store when the app started featuring child sexual assault material.
posted by tofu_crouton at 9:31 AM on October 20, 2023 [11 favorites]
posted by tofu_crouton at 9:31 AM on October 20, 2023 [11 favorites]
Maybe Stewart will show up on Last Week Tonight the same way he shows up on Late Show with Stephen Colbert.
posted by Eikonaut at 9:44 AM on October 20, 2023
posted by Eikonaut at 9:44 AM on October 20, 2023
Maybe Stewart will show up on Last Week Tonight the same way he shows up on Late Show with Stephen Colbert.
The wish that I've seen expressed is that he takes over the Friday night slot of The Daily Show, so it's not too much work for him, but the world still wins big-time.
posted by nushustu at 9:54 AM on October 20, 2023 [4 favorites]
The wish that I've seen expressed is that he takes over the Friday night slot of The Daily Show, so it's not too much work for him, but the world still wins big-time.
posted by nushustu at 9:54 AM on October 20, 2023 [4 favorites]
"In what universe did Apple think Jon Stewart would accept that?"
In my experience corporate types who'd expect Stewart to just go along are pretty much the default. They don't have a problem with this kind of thing, and they can't or don't do the math to work out that this is inevitable.
Stewart should've seen this coming too - if not this specific issue, certainly that Apple's business interests differ from a standard entertainment company that he'd been used to dealing with.
In the meantime, Apple gained N new subscribers for two seasons or whatever and will only lose a fraction of N over this. Jon got paid for 2 seasons and gets to improve his image by leaving while having no net loss since I doubt he needs the money at all.
While this is odious, I have a hard time being surprised about it – Apple is a public company that lives and dies by earnings, and pissing off China (especially right now) is a real good way to sabotage the business. While I'd love it if Apple's peeps were willing to Fight The Good Fight(TM) it would not work out well for the people in question.
In their shoes I might be willing to toss my career on the bonfire but I can't promise that and I know very, very few people are. (In large part because if you're the type of person willing to take that stand, you're rarely getting into the position to do so...)
posted by jzb at 9:55 AM on October 20, 2023 [5 favorites]
In my experience corporate types who'd expect Stewart to just go along are pretty much the default. They don't have a problem with this kind of thing, and they can't or don't do the math to work out that this is inevitable.
Stewart should've seen this coming too - if not this specific issue, certainly that Apple's business interests differ from a standard entertainment company that he'd been used to dealing with.
In the meantime, Apple gained N new subscribers for two seasons or whatever and will only lose a fraction of N over this. Jon got paid for 2 seasons and gets to improve his image by leaving while having no net loss since I doubt he needs the money at all.
While this is odious, I have a hard time being surprised about it – Apple is a public company that lives and dies by earnings, and pissing off China (especially right now) is a real good way to sabotage the business. While I'd love it if Apple's peeps were willing to Fight The Good Fight(TM) it would not work out well for the people in question.
In their shoes I might be willing to toss my career on the bonfire but I can't promise that and I know very, very few people are. (In large part because if you're the type of person willing to take that stand, you're rarely getting into the position to do so...)
posted by jzb at 9:55 AM on October 20, 2023 [5 favorites]
In tangentially relaxed news, I'm amazed John Oliver hasn't yet been fired by HBO.
posted by flamewise at 10:15 AM on October 20, 2023 [12 favorites]
posted by flamewise at 10:15 AM on October 20, 2023 [12 favorites]
Me too.
I used to say the same thing about Adam Conover, but then Adam Ruins Everything was cancelled.
posted by RonButNotStupid at 11:07 AM on October 20, 2023 [5 favorites]
I used to say the same thing about Adam Conover, but then Adam Ruins Everything was cancelled.
posted by RonButNotStupid at 11:07 AM on October 20, 2023 [5 favorites]
The report, supposedly from "people with knowledge of the decision" from the show's POV), smells funny.
The claim that "AI" is one of the hot-button topics that led to the cancellation is bizarre. Apple restricts the use of solutions like ChatGPT because of security/privacy concerns, and an expose would support Apple's "responsible AI" positioning for their own products.
The comment about showrunners fearing "potential for further creative disagreements" regarding the 2024 election also seems extremely strange considering the show's political coverage so far.
I understand the default anti-Apple reaction, but I can't be the only The Daily Show fan who didn't love The Problem. It's not like this isn't the first time that Apple has ended a mid, low-performing show.
posted by ArmandoAkimbo at 11:10 AM on October 20, 2023 [6 favorites]
The claim that "AI" is one of the hot-button topics that led to the cancellation is bizarre. Apple restricts the use of solutions like ChatGPT because of security/privacy concerns, and an expose would support Apple's "responsible AI" positioning for their own products.
The comment about showrunners fearing "potential for further creative disagreements" regarding the 2024 election also seems extremely strange considering the show's political coverage so far.
I understand the default anti-Apple reaction, but I can't be the only The Daily Show fan who didn't love The Problem. It's not like this isn't the first time that Apple has ended a mid, low-performing show.
posted by ArmandoAkimbo at 11:10 AM on October 20, 2023 [6 favorites]
In tangentially relaxed news, I'm amazed John Oliver hasn't yet been fired by HBO.
They probably tried to but got confused because it is now called Max.
posted by srboisvert at 11:11 AM on October 20, 2023 [7 favorites]
They probably tried to but got confused because it is now called Max.
posted by srboisvert at 11:11 AM on October 20, 2023 [7 favorites]
Or they told somebody to fire Jon Oliver and some hapless dude in the mailroom got fired instead.
posted by joannemerriam at 11:28 AM on October 20, 2023 [5 favorites]
posted by joannemerriam at 11:28 AM on October 20, 2023 [5 favorites]
In tangentially relaxed news, I'm amazed John Oliver hasn't yet been fired by HBO.
But his contract expires at the end of the year and it's questionable if he'll continue on, though some of the reporting is that it's more his idea to explore other things than something HBO wants.
posted by jmauro at 11:32 AM on October 20, 2023
But his contract expires at the end of the year and it's questionable if he'll continue on, though some of the reporting is that it's more his idea to explore other things than something HBO wants.
posted by jmauro at 11:32 AM on October 20, 2023
And still that barely-sentient used enema nozzle Bill Maher continues on...
posted by Ber at 11:34 AM on October 20, 2023 [29 favorites]
posted by Ber at 11:34 AM on October 20, 2023 [29 favorites]
In tangentially relaxed news, I'm amazed John Oliver hasn't yet been fired by HBO.
HBOs primary business is attracting eyeballs attached to paying customers. As long as Oliver continues to do that he can do whatever he wants.
posted by Tell Me No Lies at 12:02 PM on October 20, 2023 [2 favorites]
HBOs primary business is attracting eyeballs attached to paying customers. As long as Oliver continues to do that he can do whatever he wants.
posted by Tell Me No Lies at 12:02 PM on October 20, 2023 [2 favorites]
As much as he and the writers like to joke about it, John Oliver isn’t going to cross “business daddy” but will walk up to the line from time to time. Case in point: the mention of Matt Gaetz on last week’s show.
posted by dr_dank at 12:08 PM on October 20, 2023 [1 favorite]
posted by dr_dank at 12:08 PM on October 20, 2023 [1 favorite]
The claim that "AI" is one of the hot-button topics that led to the cancellation is bizarre. Apple restricts the use of solutions like ChatGPT because of security/privacy concerns, and an expose would support Apple's "responsible AI" positioning for their own products.
Not sure they care "publicly" but there's so much of Apple's stuff who runs helped by machine learning algorithms (it's not AI it's a clever pile of linear algebra), this is very core to their software.
Now mind you, harnessing this make sure the tiny phone camera defies the laws of optics, or provide cool features like the fake DOF for portrait mode is exactly the kind of good thing these algorithm can do.
There's bound to be a shit-ton more of this coming with the Apple Vision Pro, they may not yet be in the large language model business (although the siri group is probably looking into this), but it'll pop up eventually.
posted by WaterAndPixels at 12:46 PM on October 20, 2023
Not sure they care "publicly" but there's so much of Apple's stuff who runs helped by machine learning algorithms (it's not AI it's a clever pile of linear algebra), this is very core to their software.
Now mind you, harnessing this make sure the tiny phone camera defies the laws of optics, or provide cool features like the fake DOF for portrait mode is exactly the kind of good thing these algorithm can do.
There's bound to be a shit-ton more of this coming with the Apple Vision Pro, they may not yet be in the large language model business (although the siri group is probably looking into this), but it'll pop up eventually.
posted by WaterAndPixels at 12:46 PM on October 20, 2023
an expose would support Apple's "responsible AI" positioning for their own products.
On the other hand a blanket condemnation of AI as a something that will result in disaster (propaganda generation, job loss, automated weapons, etc) for everyone along with hopping on every current AI issue as a demonstration of his thesis would not be good for Apple.
Apple is on the "AI is good" train. Stewart is very not.
posted by Tell Me No Lies at 3:26 PM on October 20, 2023 [1 favorite]
On the other hand a blanket condemnation of AI as a something that will result in disaster (propaganda generation, job loss, automated weapons, etc) for everyone along with hopping on every current AI issue as a demonstration of his thesis would not be good for Apple.
Apple is on the "AI is good" train. Stewart is very not.
posted by Tell Me No Lies at 3:26 PM on October 20, 2023 [1 favorite]
It's still so weird to me that Apple as a company is in the media business, making shows, hiring and firing writers, editors, and talent. This is like if Dell fired Marv Albert for bad-mouthing the Austin Ice Bats.
posted by swift at 3:45 PM on October 20, 2023 [7 favorites]
posted by swift at 3:45 PM on October 20, 2023 [7 favorites]
Arthur Jensen nods approvingly from the executive afterlife.
posted by zaixfeep at 7:19 PM on October 20, 2023 [1 favorite]
posted by zaixfeep at 7:19 PM on October 20, 2023 [1 favorite]
In tangentially relaxed news, I'm amazed John Oliver hasn't yet been fired by HBO.
Don't give David Fucking Zaslav any ideas.
posted by Joakim Ziegler at 9:28 PM on October 20, 2023
Don't give David Fucking Zaslav any ideas.
posted by Joakim Ziegler at 9:28 PM on October 20, 2023
In tangentially relaxed news, I'm amazed John Oliver hasn't yet been fired by HBO.
"Last fall, about 180,000 U.S. homes saw the show’s first episode within the first seven days, according to the measurement firm Samba TV. By the fifth episode, which aired in early March, about 40,000 U.S. homes tuned in, down 78% from the season premiere. By comparison, an episode in March of HBO’s “Last Week Tonight with John Oliver” was seen in 844,000 U.S. homes, Samba TV says."
posted by fairmettle at 10:16 PM on October 20, 2023 [2 favorites]
"Last fall, about 180,000 U.S. homes saw the show’s first episode within the first seven days, according to the measurement firm Samba TV. By the fifth episode, which aired in early March, about 40,000 U.S. homes tuned in, down 78% from the season premiere. By comparison, an episode in March of HBO’s “Last Week Tonight with John Oliver” was seen in 844,000 U.S. homes, Samba TV says."
posted by fairmettle at 10:16 PM on October 20, 2023 [2 favorites]
As the person who regularly writes up Last Week Tonight for Fanfare, I guess I should chime in?
The main reason I never started covering The Problem is getting it, and having the time and energy to follow it and write it up. I don't have an Apple device. There are ways (arrr), but unless there's a compelling reason I don't really like resorting to it. Up to this point it's felt like Apple's needed people like me for publicity more than I needed to put another plate on my teetering stack to keep myself up with what Stewart's saying and keep people informed about it?
Oh I'm sure Stewart knew he'd walk at some point, but if he was able to hold his personal line while holding his personal nose for a time, well, Apple's money is green too.
Apple has a reputation as one of the more principled tech companies, even that of the right kind of company, whatever the hell that would mean. On Mastodon a few days ago I saw someone complaining about (in turn) old-internet types complaining Apple wasn't the company it once was. There are surprisingly many people who will go to bat for Apple. Of the companies in the acronym FAANG (Facebook, Apple, Amazon, Netflix, Google, as I must remind myself), Apple is the only one with what I'd call a fandom. I've been attacked by Apple users, over a decade ago I think, on this very site. Some people take Apple's travails almost personally, and in some circles the name Steve Jobs still carries the hint of legend.
Complaints here bashing Stewart for wanting to get paid seem odd though? I mean, people still need money to live, and Stewart does things sometimes like direct documentaries, the kind that it might be difficult to get moneymen to fund themselves. He worked very hard on Daily Show, he took it over from Kilborn when he could have just coasted (one of his previous gigs was the politically-anodyne Short Attention Span Theater) because instead of a behind-the-desk face he wanted to be able to approve of what the show said, became its show runner, and despite claims by some that the show became the voice of bland liberalism I always found that it was surprisingly leftist, and introduced many people to the idea that the left/right dichotomy doesn't mean the truth has to be exactly between them. He essentially killed Crossfire, remember. I understand that he still show-runs The Problem, Stewart isn't a person to sit around and collect paychecks.
While this is odious, I have a hard time being surprised about it – Apple is a public company that lives and dies by earnings, and pissing off China (especially right now) is a real good way to sabotage the business.
China is a big market, but compared to the whole rest of the world it's not a majority. This is the kind of thing that will definitely harm Apple's reputation in nearby markets to try to expand into that one. (Also, as an aside, remember: what's owned by a Chinese company that's beholden to Chinese laws? TikTok. Nothing political damaging to China's leadership is ever going to trend on that service, no matter who says it, because it might mean real consequences for TikTok executives.)
Maybe Stewart will show up on Last Week Tonight the same way he shows up on Late Show with Stephen Colbert.
In the first couple of seasons LWT did interviews, but it quickly dropped them as the show evolved, and made it its ballpark that it does "deep dives" on a particular subject each week. And in that it's almost unique, although I understand it's kind of what Stewart does on The Problem. But Oliver seems fearless, he relentlessly dogs on his "business daddy" (whoever that is this week lol), and has said things, loudly, on his show that are among the most progressive on TV. That fearlessness, whether it's real or fake (and I think it's real), not just about HBO/Max/Go/$nextname but his topics, is what's earned him his audience. There are indications of a bit of strife between Oliver and management about what he says, but he's not shown signs of caving--a few seasons back he did an entire episode where he called Chinese President Xi Jinping Winnie the Pooh repeatedly, specifically because it was a nickname he hated and had worked hard to crush on Chinese internet. And an image making that comparison still features prominently in the intro to every current episode of Last Week Tonight.
But John Oliver doesn't really do full-on guests anymore, although he's definitely not adverse to a big-name celebrity cameo on his show. Stewart might narrate a fake commercial or present a tongue-in-cheek PSA, but the show just doesn't have room to give other people a segment, it frequently runs longer than its timeslot but still has trouble squeezing it all in.
And still that barely-sentient used enema nozzle Bill Maher continues on...
Oh frog, is "Max" (really HBO) pushing Bill Maher's show hard to everyone on their service who watches LWT. It seems in their algorithm's befuddled electronic head, people who watch LWT would absolutely also watch Real Time.
This is what should be the pervasive perception of AI: not of a supergenius computer program that can somehow create things (despite building it off of the backs of billions of writers and consuming blockchain-levels of resources to run), but of the algorithms companies use to try to predict what we'll like, because those are terrible yet annoy us (well, me) all every day.
posted by JHarris at 10:01 AM on October 21, 2023 [10 favorites]
The main reason I never started covering The Problem is getting it, and having the time and energy to follow it and write it up. I don't have an Apple device. There are ways (arrr), but unless there's a compelling reason I don't really like resorting to it. Up to this point it's felt like Apple's needed people like me for publicity more than I needed to put another plate on my teetering stack to keep myself up with what Stewart's saying and keep people informed about it?
Oh I'm sure Stewart knew he'd walk at some point, but if he was able to hold his personal line while holding his personal nose for a time, well, Apple's money is green too.
Apple has a reputation as one of the more principled tech companies, even that of the right kind of company, whatever the hell that would mean. On Mastodon a few days ago I saw someone complaining about (in turn) old-internet types complaining Apple wasn't the company it once was. There are surprisingly many people who will go to bat for Apple. Of the companies in the acronym FAANG (Facebook, Apple, Amazon, Netflix, Google, as I must remind myself), Apple is the only one with what I'd call a fandom. I've been attacked by Apple users, over a decade ago I think, on this very site. Some people take Apple's travails almost personally, and in some circles the name Steve Jobs still carries the hint of legend.
Complaints here bashing Stewart for wanting to get paid seem odd though? I mean, people still need money to live, and Stewart does things sometimes like direct documentaries, the kind that it might be difficult to get moneymen to fund themselves. He worked very hard on Daily Show, he took it over from Kilborn when he could have just coasted (one of his previous gigs was the politically-anodyne Short Attention Span Theater) because instead of a behind-the-desk face he wanted to be able to approve of what the show said, became its show runner, and despite claims by some that the show became the voice of bland liberalism I always found that it was surprisingly leftist, and introduced many people to the idea that the left/right dichotomy doesn't mean the truth has to be exactly between them. He essentially killed Crossfire, remember. I understand that he still show-runs The Problem, Stewart isn't a person to sit around and collect paychecks.
While this is odious, I have a hard time being surprised about it – Apple is a public company that lives and dies by earnings, and pissing off China (especially right now) is a real good way to sabotage the business.
China is a big market, but compared to the whole rest of the world it's not a majority. This is the kind of thing that will definitely harm Apple's reputation in nearby markets to try to expand into that one. (Also, as an aside, remember: what's owned by a Chinese company that's beholden to Chinese laws? TikTok. Nothing political damaging to China's leadership is ever going to trend on that service, no matter who says it, because it might mean real consequences for TikTok executives.)
Maybe Stewart will show up on Last Week Tonight the same way he shows up on Late Show with Stephen Colbert.
In the first couple of seasons LWT did interviews, but it quickly dropped them as the show evolved, and made it its ballpark that it does "deep dives" on a particular subject each week. And in that it's almost unique, although I understand it's kind of what Stewart does on The Problem. But Oliver seems fearless, he relentlessly dogs on his "business daddy" (whoever that is this week lol), and has said things, loudly, on his show that are among the most progressive on TV. That fearlessness, whether it's real or fake (and I think it's real), not just about HBO/Max/Go/$nextname but his topics, is what's earned him his audience. There are indications of a bit of strife between Oliver and management about what he says, but he's not shown signs of caving--a few seasons back he did an entire episode where he called Chinese President Xi Jinping Winnie the Pooh repeatedly, specifically because it was a nickname he hated and had worked hard to crush on Chinese internet. And an image making that comparison still features prominently in the intro to every current episode of Last Week Tonight.
But John Oliver doesn't really do full-on guests anymore, although he's definitely not adverse to a big-name celebrity cameo on his show. Stewart might narrate a fake commercial or present a tongue-in-cheek PSA, but the show just doesn't have room to give other people a segment, it frequently runs longer than its timeslot but still has trouble squeezing it all in.
And still that barely-sentient used enema nozzle Bill Maher continues on...
Oh frog, is "Max" (really HBO) pushing Bill Maher's show hard to everyone on their service who watches LWT. It seems in their algorithm's befuddled electronic head, people who watch LWT would absolutely also watch Real Time.
This is what should be the pervasive perception of AI: not of a supergenius computer program that can somehow create things (despite building it off of the backs of billions of writers and consuming blockchain-levels of resources to run), but of the algorithms companies use to try to predict what we'll like, because those are terrible yet annoy us (well, me) all every day.
posted by JHarris at 10:01 AM on October 21, 2023 [10 favorites]
Apple's timidity towards China was already seen in their series For All Mankind, where the competing space powers in an alternate history are:
posted by cardboard at 11:56 AM on October 21, 2023 [1 favorite]
- the USA
- the USSR
- private industry
- ...North Korea?
posted by cardboard at 11:56 AM on October 21, 2023 [1 favorite]
China is a big market, but compared to the whole rest of the world it's not a majority
Apple’s problem with China is much much bigger than just Chinese customers. With a single word a person in the Chinese government could take down Apple’s entire production line. It would take years to ramp up in another country.
posted by Tell Me No Lies at 12:13 PM on October 21, 2023 [7 favorites]
Apple’s problem with China is much much bigger than just Chinese customers. With a single word a person in the Chinese government could take down Apple’s entire production line. It would take years to ramp up in another country.
posted by Tell Me No Lies at 12:13 PM on October 21, 2023 [7 favorites]
China is a big market, but compared to the whole rest of the world it's not a majority.
Consider two things: First, what Tell Me No Lies said - China can sabotage Apple’s production. Even if China represented 0% of Apple’s sales, it represents a ton of Apple’s production.
Second, when China banned iPhones for government or party officials, it sent some serious ripples. Sales in China, even absent the production issue, do matter to Apple’s stock price.
Also, I’ve seen little evidence that bowing to China affects sales for U.S. companies. I wish that it were so - that American consumers would punish Apple or other businesses for blatantly censoring themselves to please China, but there’s little evidence that this happens.
posted by jzb at 3:02 PM on October 21, 2023 [1 favorite]
Consider two things: First, what Tell Me No Lies said - China can sabotage Apple’s production. Even if China represented 0% of Apple’s sales, it represents a ton of Apple’s production.
Second, when China banned iPhones for government or party officials, it sent some serious ripples. Sales in China, even absent the production issue, do matter to Apple’s stock price.
Also, I’ve seen little evidence that bowing to China affects sales for U.S. companies. I wish that it were so - that American consumers would punish Apple or other businesses for blatantly censoring themselves to please China, but there’s little evidence that this happens.
posted by jzb at 3:02 PM on October 21, 2023 [1 favorite]
Listen, I’m a 100% Apple user with zero interest in switching. I’m completely unsurprised that Stewart got crossways with the leadership over China. Jon cares about human rights, the environment and democracy. Apple does not. Maybe Tim Cook does but his duty is to promote the health of his company, and if democracy puts up too many roadblocks, they simply move operations to a country that taps down those pesky “rights” that raise costs too high.
While I believe Apple to be a leader in the tech field on those issues, their “company values” in those areas is 100% in service of profitability. They calculate that their customers care about those issues, so they spend more money on them. If they thought their customers didn’t care, they wouldn’t.
For-profit corporations have one value. — make mpney. If there is money to be made in a country, they will pursue it. Whether the people of that country are free to live the lives of their choosing is a tertiary concern, at best. That is why Tim Cook went to the Trump White House back in the day. He wanted to make sure they could do business. It’s why he just met with Chinese leadership.
posted by Big Al 8000 at 9:43 PM on October 22, 2023 [1 favorite]
While I believe Apple to be a leader in the tech field on those issues, their “company values” in those areas is 100% in service of profitability. They calculate that their customers care about those issues, so they spend more money on them. If they thought their customers didn’t care, they wouldn’t.
For-profit corporations have one value. — make mpney. If there is money to be made in a country, they will pursue it. Whether the people of that country are free to live the lives of their choosing is a tertiary concern, at best. That is why Tim Cook went to the Trump White House back in the day. He wanted to make sure they could do business. It’s why he just met with Chinese leadership.
posted by Big Al 8000 at 9:43 PM on October 22, 2023 [1 favorite]
The main reason I never started covering The Problem is getting it, and having the time and energy to follow it and write it up. I don't have an Apple device.
I was going to let you know that Apple TV+ is available on Google Play but then I saw the 1.5/5.0 review score and I guess I need to try it out before I can recommend that.
posted by pwnguin at 9:14 AM on October 23, 2023 [2 favorites]
I was going to let you know that Apple TV+ is available on Google Play but then I saw the 1.5/5.0 review score and I guess I need to try it out before I can recommend that.
posted by pwnguin at 9:14 AM on October 23, 2023 [2 favorites]
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