State of the Art Flashy vs. High-Tech Trashy

I don't mean to start my blog off on a harsh note, but it has to be done. I've been seeing some other blogs that describe the feeling or shock or awe that they're flooded with upon reading this article. I don't normally generalize, but this is the typical American response. Where did you think all of your old TVs and cell phones were going, to the moon? It really bothers me how so many people can not even begin to consider what they've been doing with their old technology. Did you know that although your "old and outdated" Blackberry phone can no longer make a call via sign language or brew you a cup of coffee, it does not mean that it is no longer useful? A program that accepts phones, broken as they may seem, to turn them into emergency devices for the less fortunate is always available (and usually at an arm's reach, although you may not know it). Think about other people for a change, America. As a society we are known worldwide for our horrible vision; we can't see beyond our own doorstep. Carroll's article is directed towards people with this train of thought, the ones who aren't aware. Well, they are aware of the fast paced technological world we live in, but not the consequences.

"It is next to impossible to gauge how much e-waste is still being smuggled into China, diverted to other parts of Asia, or—increasingly—dumped in West African countries like Ghana, Nigeria, and Ivory Coast. At ground level, however, one can pick out single threads from this global toxic tapestry and follow them back to their source."

In Carroll's words, this seems like a tough battle to fight. No matter what kind of regulations are put in place, e-waste will continue to plague third world countries all around the world. It is possible to trace these "threads" as he calls them, but especially due to the fact that most people (even some interviewed in this article) would choose to remain anonymous, it seems we may be scared to speak up. Of course, e-waste wouldn't exist if it didn't benefit someone, and most likely it is a someone you don't want to cross. Big businesses and companies are saving thousands of dollars by being able to simply dump this waste, and usually collect some spare parts. Even smaller parties, like the maintenance man, are taking advantage of this situation to help himself financially. Until there is a force that comes up and takes a real stand against the e-wasters of the world, nothing will change.

I don't claim to be making a real difference myself, this is just my opinion on the subject. I'm also not saying that we should all use our parents' old black and white television sets and rotary dial phones, but we should at least be more conscious of where these products are now.