VAW: Apple Should Ignore the Nuts at Greenpeace

The nutballs at Greenpeace have been doing their best to make trouble for Apple. They have set up a website mocking Apple where they state:

Why does Greenpeace have it in for Apple? I would wager a good sum of money on the proposition that Steve Jobs and company favor Greenpeace and their ilk. Steve Jobs is the quintessential example of a hippy turned yuppie. He probably recycles all his garbage. He probably votes the straight Democratic ticket. He probably likes big government. He probably stays up late at night worrying about global warming. He probably thinks George Bush is really the Anti-Christ. So why does Greenpeace find it necessary to attack Apple?

Apple is a business. Steve Jobs may have begun his home computer crusade as a drug-induced Jihad against the business establishment represented by the Great Satin, IBM, but Jobs and his cohorts soon realized that in order to make products and sell them in the free market, Apple had to behave just like those they detested. I would argue that Apple is one of the best-run corporations in the World. They have embraced modern ideas of just-in-time manufacturing and operate a masterful marketing scheme that whips up excitement and anticipation for every new product they introduce.

Greenpeace stands in opposition to everything Apple has become. They don't like the free market because in their way of seeing the world, the free market leads to pollution, abuse of workers, and allows evil capitalists like Steve Jobs to get rich while the poor suffer. In their myopic worldview, corporations are the problem. They want big government and big government regulations to force companies to behave in a way they find preferable.

Unfortunately Greenpeace, if you force Apple to become some kind of liberal-socialist computer mill, their stock will plummet and their market share will collapse. Bill Gates will take up the slack and then where will you be? Greenpeace's anti-Mac site proclaims:

That is cute. I can tell that the mighty Greenpeace think-tank put a lot of thought into that slogan. It is obvious to me that Greenpeace likes what Apple represents, but they can't reconcile that feeling with the hate they have for the free market. Jobs and company would be wise to ignore these loons.

If Apple starts behaving like a bunch of freeze-dried hippies, all the progress they have made over the last five years will quickly evaporate. I suggest they stay the course. I am certain the company is doing everything in its power to act as a responsible steward of the environment. All of man's activity comes with a cost. If we burn coal for power, we pollute the environment. Apple should be as green as possible, but they shouldn't allow a nutty organization like Greenpeace to dictate the course of their business.

Comments:

No one takes Greenspeace serious. They are a joke.

Kruger, Freddy on Wednesday, November 01, 2006 at 00:50

Rubbish. Greenpeace are making a perfectly valid point: that you can make ´sexy´, stylish devices and still not be doing as much as you could for the environment. ´Hate for the free market´? Only when it is needlessly polluting, or whale hunting, or tarmacing over huge swathes of supposedly protected greenbelt.

Geezer on Wednesday, November 01, 2006 at 10:53

I personally could use a good whale steak about right now. Let me get on my MacBook and see if I can order some from Japan. Yum, yum...

Graboid on Wednesday, November 01, 2006 at 10:59

Save the whales, kill Greenpeace.

Peter on Wednesday, November 01, 2006 at 11:37

Geezer,

This still seems like an odd target for Greenpeace. I´m guessing that they think it´s the only company that will actually listen to them, but why attack the only company that has an executive that (kinda, sorta) shares your ideals?

Jay on Wednesday, November 01, 2006 at 11:57

First off Greenpeace is not a bunch of loons, they are and advocacy group concerned about the world and not about profit margins, like Apple. Although Steve Jobs may follow a liberal philosophy one has to remember that he is a business man that is held accountable by the board of director for the success of Apple. Would someone in this position take action in order to cut costs and streamline production? I think so, especially if he knows he can get away with it.

This article by Kris Hookerman shows the typical misguided loyalty of Apple users. The Apple following is nothing more than a pseudo cult along the lines of the Branch Davidians. It is common knowledge the Apple logo is in fact a pagan symbol.

Larry Rowe on Wednesday, November 01, 2006 at 15:46

Greenpeace? Are those morons still around?

Dove on Thursday, November 02, 2006 at 10:27

I used to be a member of Greenpeace. We would get together in meetings and sing Joy to the World. Then we would pass around a doobie and listen to acid rock from the 60s all night long. Just kidding... I don´t associate with hippies.

Atari on Wednesday, November 08, 2006 at 10:24

Ha, ha, ha. I hate hippies too.

Starman on Wednesday, November 15, 2006 at 10:39

How can you say such a thing about Greenpeace? I love my apple computers too but Greenpeace do have a point and blindly criticising them for pointing a finger at apple is very stupid and the article simplistic and childish in opinion. I thought smart people bought Apple but you just don’t get it. Apple is a leader and if they change then everyone else will follow, put aside your fears about market share this is not the issue. What Greenpeace is saying is that not so many toxic components need to be in macs or ipods and that a greater effort could be made to produce computers in a more environmentally friendly manner. Hopefully without poisoning people in 3rd world countries who make them or recycle them. I think you lot should grow up and notice the world around you.

Ensete on Sunday, December 03, 2006 at 15:07

I can´t decide who to gripe about!

holyroller on Tuesday, December 05, 2006 at 21:15

If you look at greepeace´s apple website, you can see that they rank apple amongst other PC manufacturers and that apple does rank amongst the lowest. Additionally, apple is a smart strategic target to force change in an environmentally irresponsible industry, which is still in its infancy. apple is a ´loner,´ and has the most brand recognition in the industry, therefore has the most to loose. This tactic has been used in many industries, with Greenpeace usually winning in the end. And although you infer that they are pinko anti-capitalist commie pigs, they are actually using the free market, NOT government, to persuade apple to improve their manufacturing and reclamation practices. Also note that other highly successful manufacturers (i.e. Cisco Systems) have implemented these programs without negative financial impacts.

So although it makes your head hurt to think about how large-scale business impacts people or the environment, luckily there are others who will pick up the slack. It´s a new world out there, it may be time to rethink your assumptions.

Ralph on Thursday, March 08, 2007 at 17:02

Hundreds of computer companys polluting and profiting, making use of our cash as they wish and you love them all!... one greenpeace, non-profit org trying to do good in our world and you hate them! makes me laugh but saddens me more! Greenpeace is all about exposing polluters to us and making good change! if that´s how much respect some of you have for greenpeace, says alot about the respect you have for our planet.

youknowitmakessence on Saturday, May 12, 2007 at 20:12