Children work in Congolese mines where cobalt is extracted for smartphones

Re:Children work in Congolese mines where cobalt is extracte... by westmeal on Wednesday August 09, 2017 @01:16AM (#14965736)

I think he was trying to point out that even if you are putting pressure on the right side unfortunate side effects can still be seen. Not that it's anyone's particular fault.

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Re:Children work in Congolese mines where cobalt is extracte... by kobeya on Wednesday August 09, 2017 @03:06AM (#14966187)

If you apply pressure and bad things happen unilaterally as a result of that pressure, yes it is your fault. Cause and effect, whether you intended for it or not. Denying that is simply not taking responsibility for your actions.

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Re:Children work in Congolese mines where cobalt is extracte... by ptaipale on Wednesday August 09, 2017 @03:48AM (#14966375)

Indeed. Good intentions do not justify means.

You cannot escape responsibility of the bad consequences of your actions, even if you say the consequences are "unwanted", not what you intended. Particularly if you know those consequences were going to happen.

"The misery of being exploited by capitalists is nothing compared to the misery of not being exploited at all."

- economist Joan Robinson, 1962

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