Geek Fu #73: Heaven Pt. 7
Finally, it’s here, it’s edited, it’s good to go.
* Is Apple creating iPods with Chinese slave labor?
* Sandra Bullock tells Keanu not to do Constantine 2. Like she has a leg to stand on with Miss Congeniality 2…
* My reading list for 2006.
* Heaven Pt. 7
9 Comments
1. Laura replies at 24th June 2006 um 6:10 pm :
Yeah! New Geek Fu to add right to the top of my podcast list.
2. Marrcus replies at 25th June 2006 um 9:28 pm :
Great episode. I’m loving this side.. i hope that’s the word.. of the storyline, makes a nice mix..
3. Bebe replies at 25th June 2006 um 11:22 pm :
Yay, your book list!
4. Blog Jones replies at 26th June 2006 um 7:33 am :
re: International Trade
The thing to remember about the low wages in foreign countries is that the cost of living is also much lower. If I am not mistaken, workers in “iPod City” are earning a lot more than they would earn as farm laborers or other such alternative forms of employment.
That doesn’t excuse terrible working conditions or forced labor by any means. American companies have the duty to make sure that their foreign labor forces are being treated properly, not like slaves.
But it’s just something to consider when you hear potentially misleading statistics about pay rates in east Asian countries.
5. P.G. Holyfield replies at 27th June 2006 um 11:11 am :
I’m very interested to see where things will go with the backstory of the events that shaped Daniel’s past. That particular “crime against nature” is something that really gets to me, and I found myself becoming emotional during Pt. 7, even though you only describe the event “in passing.”
Great job as always, mighty mur.
6. Es replies at 30th June 2006 um 1:09 am :
Wages in poorer countries can be problematic because of the enormous difference in both standard and cost of living. If wages are too high local mafias form which extort money just to let people apply for the the jobs. IMHO working conditions are much more important.
If you want some advice on where to buy try ecological or ‘green’ publications. I listen to the More Hip than Hippy podcast. They give links and advice about companies that provide locally produced goods or ones that promise to treat their forign suppliers/workers fairly.
On a totally trivial note:
I’m not a comic book fan but thought Keanu was pretty cool in Constatine.
And his acting wasn’t so bad in Much Ado About Nothing but then who was concentrating on his acting? Those tight trousers were miles too distracting.
7. MikeC replies at 30th June 2006 um 11:10 am :
A book to add to the list (it’ll be a quick read, and its not
out officially until September):
WORLD WAR Z by Max Brooks.
It’s a sequel, kinda, to THE ZOMBIE SURVIVAL GUIDE.
The premise is that it is an oral history of The Zombie
War, wherein Zombies that follow the ‘rules’ laid out
in TZSG overwhelm the world sometime in the
next 15-10 years (he is smart enough not to give any
specific dates in the narrative).
Each chapter is the recollection of someone involved in
the fight, from average solders though heads of state.
And though it helps if you’re familiar with TZSG, it is not
absolutely necessary: you can pick up the ‘rules’ as you
go.
Interestingly enough, the Zombies themselves play only
a peripheral role in the book. It is mostly meditations on
human nature, or politcs or critiques (some not so
subtle) of our modern culture.
I read it almost straight through in less than a day, and
enjoyed it very much.
8. Michael Sean Becker replies at 30th June 2006 um 11:38 am :
Just wanted to thank you, Mur, for inspiring me to get back into writing! I love your work and your willingness to share with all of us.
9. Bill K replies at 30th June 2006 um 9:17 pm :
Mur,
I think the whole thing about Sandra Bullock telling Keanu “Don’t do Constantine 2″ was a friendly jibe, as, IIRC, that’s more or less what Keanu told her about signing on for Speed 2.
Bill
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