Coltan, What is it?

    Coltan is a metal ore that is mined from the earth. It is a combination of two very important metals; Tantalum and columbite. When coltan is refined down to tantalum it becomes a metal that is very good at conducting electricity and has a high melting point. These are important when being used as a conductor in electronics because at times, temperatures can be very high. Coltan is mined from the by hand because of it's soft properties. Once it has been discovered it is mixed around in large wash baths where the coltan sinks to the bottom. The article relates it to the mining of gold in San Francisco. The mining of coltan doesn't have any extreme environmental impact; however, the rebel groups are killing animals that are endangered. The ABC article then talks about how some of the mining companies in the Congo are actually mined properly. The article states "The path that coltan takes to get from Central Africa to the world market is a highly convoluted one, with legitimate mining operations often being confused with illegal rebel operations, and vice versa, making it difficult to trace the origin. To be safe, in recent months many electronics companies have publicly rejected the use of coltan from anywhere in Central Africa, instead relying on their main suppliers in Australia". One of the points in this article that made me particularly mad was when he said "coltan mining is very well paid in Congo terms". These miners are making $10-50 per week! This is outrageous. Could you imagine living off of 10 dollars a week to support you; let alone, you AND your family. Where's the world police when social justice needs  to be served? Sitting in other countries because oil is more important than bloodshed.

Lit Review

The significance of the social action project is to help a war torn and impoverished country. The article by Alisha Mims hits many high notes on the controversy in the Congo. Mims starts the article talking about how rich the Congo is due to its resources. She also talks about how crucial these minerals are to the electronic companies in the U.S. She explains what importance coltan has for these companies by explaining it’s a combination of tantalum and columbite and that these are integral parts of electronics. By starting with these statements she sets up the importance of her next topic; the Congo wars.  Alisha starts with the history of the second war in Congo where the Rwandese and Ugandan governments teamed up and went to war against the Congo dictator. The Dictator of the Congo had been performing genocidal attacks on the Rwandese people; also known as the Tutsis. After time, other countries began invading and destroying the infrastructure in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. With a country high in resources, and lack of infrastructure it led to the takeover by rebel groups. These rebel groups exploited the minerals and began outsourcing them for profit. They then used this profit for weaponry. It is half way through the article when the author shows a quote of the UN showing their lack of interest. The quote is “Part of that new production involved rebel groups and unscrupulous business people forcing farmers and their families to leave their agricultural land, or chasing people off land where coltan was found and forcing them to work in artisanal mines. As a result, the widespread destruction of agriculture and devastating social effects occurred, which in a number of instances were akin to slavery”. This quote was released sometime in the year 2000. It took ten years before legislation was written about the controversial mining. In the year 2010, president Obama cleared the Dodd-Frank Act which required corporations to disclose any information regarding conflict mining. The author begins talking about the successful impact of this act by saying “Armed groups that were trading in tin, tantalum, and tungsten saw their profits drop by 65 percent” (Mims). She also talks about the increase in “green mines” that began popping up. These mines are conflict free and are used by some big name companies like Apple, Intel, and HP.  Some companies have actually begun programs and foundations to help stop the use of conflict minerals. Alisha has also pointed out some companies that are using conflict minerals and have no plan to stop. Of these companies is Nintendo which is “the world’s largest video game company by revenue” (Mims).  This author has an all-inclusive look at every major topic of this project. She has the history, the problems, the supporting data, foundations and programs to stop it, a list of companies and their progress towards conflict free mining, as well as photos of what is going on in the Congo. A website like this may be something our group could aim towards, It’s got an all-inclusive feel that doesn’t drag on.

Mims, Alisha. "Conflict Minerals: How Our Demand for Electronics Fuels Child Labor and Suffering." Ring Of Fire Radio: Robert Kennedy Jr, Mike Papantonio and Sam Seder. N.p., n.d. Web. 31 Oct. 2013.

Questions for "YouSoup"

What is one characteristic that makes you stand out from the rest? What is one thing about you that you don't think anyone else has? Does anyone have a similar characteristic?

The author says we are both individuals and stereotypes and makes a strong argument for his reason.
Do you feel that each person is more of a "snowflake" or that they are stereotyped, why?

Stereotypes have a positive and negative side to them. Just like the story of the guest speaker, Joyce Murton, who used her stereotype as a transgender to find people for support but was also discriminated against by opposing people. Do you think that stereotyping is ok in society? Can you think of a way to eliminate the discrimination?

Cell Phone Addictions Are As Real As Substance Addictions

According to a study done by Dr. James Roberts of Baylor University says that a cell phone addiction produces a similar response to a substance addiction. Cell phones can cause the brain to produce serotonin and dopamine (the feel good neurotransmitters in the brain) just like alcohol and tobacco. In today's world around 90% of college students own and use their cell phones. Some of these students are using them to text, call, and surf the web for up to 7 hours a day! On average a person sends around 109.5 text messages per day and receives around 130. So what's the problem? We live in a society where people love to communicate. The real problem is that people are doing it excessively. It is getting to a point where people are suffering from mental disorders when they don't have their cell phone on them. Most cell-phone addicts neglect important stuff like studying or eating while some experience physical symptoms like appetite loss or anxiety.  I get it, I really love to communicate with others as well, but I've noticed a decline in my ability to interact with people face to face since becoming a heavy cell phone user. Check out this video on NPR about cell phone addiction, it's a short three minute video with a powerful message.
 I Forgot My Cell Phone
Dr. Roberts closes the article blaming cell phones availability for the addiction. They are so easily accessible and provide a quick burst of dopamine this makes the body have a "feel good" sensation. This over time becomes a conditioned response and people are checking their cell phones even when they don't have a notification. How disastrous would it be if you lost your cell phone for a day?Maybe some of us should try going a day or two without cell phones to see how we react.
Cell phones are also an item of materialistic value that represent a social status to some. Everyone has an inner desire to fit in with society and that is why everyone is buying new phones. They're a hot item and just like people who have substance abuses they will pay enormous prices.  People buying phones so frequently is where my social action project comes into play. New phones require new parts that  have to be mined. It also increase the amount of e-waste in our society. If society could change it's views, that you don't NEED the newest cell-phone on the market to fit in, we could save lives and our Earth.


Hu, Elise. "Our Cultural Addiction To Phones, In One Disconcerting Video." NPR. NPR, n.d. Web. 22 Oct. 2013.

"Baylor University || Media Communications || News." Baylor University Media Communications. N.p., n.d. Web. 22 Oct. 2013.

"Mobile-phone Addiction in Teenagers May Cause Severe Psychological Disorders." Mobile-phone Addiction in Teenagers May Cause Severe Psychological Disorders. N.p., n.d. Web. 22 Oct. 2013.

Legislation Stepping Up There Game

Finally the United States is informing citizens of the horrors in the Congo. Well at least informing them that the metals mined in the Congo are being used. "By May of next year" it will be a requirement for companies to list the conflict minerals used in their products. This is not a HUGE step, but it is a small step in the right direction. According to the article these regulations are "very vague" due to the different business models. Any way you look at it, this is good news. It shows that we, the guys/girls in our FYS class, are not alone. We have support and we can become a part of something so much bigger than ourselves. Hopefully with these new regulations we will see some companies that are built on strong ethics begin to emerge. Jess Kraus, a chief executive of Source Intelligence talks about how companies really have to pro-active to gain respect. This is what she said "Global economies have entered an era where the megatrend of transparency requires that companies and brands must move from having nothing to hide to pro-actively showing and proving they have nothing to hide," she said. "These companies must go beyond uttering lofty statements on values and culture and begin giving unambiguous and clear evidence about actual results."  Hopefully the push will continue to get stronger until this evil is removed. One thing to really take away from this article is that there is hope. There is a chance for change and a chance to do something great. Let's begin the movement to a new slave-labor free era.

"Human Rights Groups Push Companies to Disclose More about Conflict Minerals." The Guardian. N.p., n.d. Web. 19 Oct. 2013.

Questions for chapters 8 and 9

Do you believe that alcoholism, binge drinking, and a decline in morale at work are a response to an increasing gap between the materialistic wealthy and the materialistic impoverished?

Do you think you can remove the desire for materialistic things even when society shows how greedy humans are? And even if you could, wouldn't you expect a harsh decline in the economy?

If you want a more environmentally stable society, couldn't you promote it through costs? For example raise the price of non-locally grown crops so that locally grown crops are cheaper?

Introduction to Social Action Project

The cycle of electronics is an atrocious topic that isn't very popular. To start, it is typically done with slave or almost slave labor and is finished with hazardous waste. One topic that has really caught my attention is the conflict minerals in the Congo. I have briefly gone over this topic in one of my previous posts and it's really bothered me since. Pondering what the slave labors go through on a daily basis is really heart breaking. These workers are held at gun point and forced to work in awful conditions like the mines. Electronic companies are supplying war lords money for these precious metals which is then used for weaponry. This weaponry spreads fear through citizens of the Congo. What's even more heart breaking is that there are companies like Tantalum Mining Corporation of Canada Ltd. that will do this mining; slave labor free. The citizens will then support these electronic companies by buying new electronics. The cycle then starts again. On the other side of things is the disposal of these electronics. They produce hazardous waste that impacts the environment and workers. The whole process of creating and disposing electronics is corrupt. The scariest part is that no one is aware of the ugly side of things. Citizens are brainwashed to think that new electronics are "eco-friendly" or are "recycled of properly" and have no urge to stand up against it. No one in modern society questions anything done and I think it's time to stand up for what is right. My social action project is to raise awareness through culture jamming. I feel culture jamming can be done effectively without destruction. We as a group can raise awareness by targeting peoples emotions; specifically anger and self-blame. The article "1 Million Workers. 90 Million iPhones. 17 Suicides. Who’s to Blame?" by Joel Johnson really brings to life the emotion of self-blame. At the end of the article he blames us, the consumer, as the main culprit to suicides at Foxconn. How do we raise awareness in an oblivious society? Simple! Put it where they have to see it. There are tons of websites trying to raise awareness on the topic, but you actually have to look up "conflict metals" before you see it. Placing QR codes, links, or informational flyers at certain locations can cause people to scratch their heads and wonder. If someone gave you a flyer before walking into Verizon describing the horrors of the electronic world, would you wonder? Would you ponder the thought?  Just pondering the topic may be enough to cause a spark. A spark is all you need to start a wildfire that can burn so bright. Let's educate the people on companies like Apple, Samsung, and Nokia. Let's start making these companies pay for proper production and disposal processes. It won't be easy, but lets raise some hell and see if we can save some lives as well as the beautiful Earth we live on.

Questions Regarding Foxcon's Work Environment

How did you envision Foxconn's work environment before reading the article? Were you surprised by the description in the article?

The safety nets at Foxconn seem like a "simple fix" to a much larger problem, what is one possible solution you can think of?

The article states "That 17 people have committed suicide at Foxconn is a tragedy. But in fact, the suicide rate at Foxconn’s Shenzhen plant remains below national averages for both rural and urban China". How does this make you feel? Should one's suicide rate be compared to the national average to find whether a company is "ok"? At what number of suicides should attention be brought to that specific company? Keep in mind that someone who commits suicide must be under enough stress, pressure, pain (physical, emotional, or social) that they no longer have the desire to live. Even if that means leaving their family behind.

The article closes with the author ultimately blaming us, the consumer, for these deaths. How does that make you feel? Will you re-consider your consumption before buying new items?

Effects of the Toxins

While watching a video regarding the e-waste I pondered this question: "Do we really know the effects of these toxins?" Yes, we all know that lead, cadmium, and arsenic are toxic to our bodies, but what do these people really go through. It's a lot like the smoking campaign, we all knew smoking was bad but actually seeing a women with a tracheotomy has sort of a scare factor. For those of you who have not seen this video I have tagged a link for your viewing pleasure
Smoking Lady
The effects of these metals are extremely gruesome. They affect the lungs, kidneys, nervous systems, and the reproductive systems. In the video I have attached is a quick animation of the effects of the cadmium.
Cadmium Poisoning

Here's some lists of symptoms  according to the mayoclinic and other sources  regarding each toxin and effects once it enters the body

Lead Poisoning: 

• High blood pressure
• Declines in mental functioning
• Pain, numbness or tingling of the extremities
• Muscular weakness
• Headache
• Abdominal pain
• Memory loss
• Mood disorders
• Reduced sperm count, abnormal sperm
• Miscarriage or premature birth in pregnant women

Cadmium Poisoning:
 - Diarrhea, stomach pains and severe vomiting
- Bone fracture
- Reproductive failure and possibly even infertility
- Damage to the central nervous system
- Damage to the immune system
- Psychological disorders
- Possibly DNA damage or cancer development
Arsenic Poisoning: (acute exposure)

Vomiting

Abdominal pain

Diarrhea

Dark urine (termed black water urine)

Dehydration

Cardiac problems

Hemolysis (destruction of red blood cells)

Vertigo

Delirium

Shock

Death

Yikes! Not one of these symptoms are good. Lead poisoning is said to be one the reasons the Roman Empire fell. History does repeat itself, I guess. But let's face it, our country loves feeding everyone with garbage just so that it can make a profit *cough* McDonalds *cough*. One thing I truly want to highlight is cadmium's effect on the CNS. I have researched more into this and noticed that it impacts many crucial areas of the brain, of these is the hypothalamus. For those of you who don't know, the hypothalamus is the area of the brain that controls your appetite, sex drive, sleep cycles, as well as your endocrine system. Impacting this area can cause HUGE problems with a person! Another area impacted is the hippocampus, the area responsible for creating new memories. What I find even more interesting is that OSHA has many regulations on exposure to these metals, but that is only in America. To me, this sounds a lot like the gas chambers in the holocaust, but with less genocidal tendencies.


Staff, Mayo Clinic. "Definition." Mayo Clinic. Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research, 12 Mar. 2011. Web. 01 Oct. 2013.

Cadmium - Cd." Cadmium (Cd). N.p., n.d. Web. 01 Oct. 2013

"Arsenic Poisoning Symptoms, Causes, Treatment - What Are the Symptoms of Arsenic Poisoning? - MedicineNet." MedicineNet. N.p., n.d. Web. 01 Oct. 2013.

"Result Filters." National Center for Biotechnology Information. U.S. National Library of Medicine, n.d. Web. 01 Oct. 2013.