Jan 1 2012: I think the internet can be a powerfull tool for good and for mobilization (wasn´t that the great lesson of 2011?). But how can we use it? I´m very curious so I use it to learn the most I can about other cultures and different views of the world, I spent one whole week in a forum for asians in north america and their issues dealing with racial steriotypes and e the expectations from their imigrant parents and culture contrasting to they're life as american citizens. I was surprised to see young muslim girls from London defending the use of the veil as a symbol of cultural pride and religious obeservance instead of oppresion, I heard ultra right american christians defend they're political views and also gay rights advocates celebrating the right to marry in new york. I heard Europeans terrified of imigration defending some very dangerous ideas while other europeans passionatelly argued for multiculturalism...The possibilities are endless if you have an open mind and the more you watch other people the harder it is to see differences between us, so I think we can encourage other do the same, to get involved, to get they're facts from different sourcer, hear different sides and never be passive when people around us perpetuate hurtful jokes or racist ideas. And you too can do the same at very little cost from the confort of you home ;)
Jan 1 2012: But will consumers have a fair view of how much that product is wort or will they pressure the market for the cheapest prices? When you get a deal so good it's a steal be sure someone is being exploited somewhere. You might not see them but you'll know they exist when all the manufacturing industries start laying people of to move there,
Jan 1 2012: Some companies do try to work with fair trade standards, by offering fair wages, good working eviroment to employes, using sustainable e certified raw material not buying from suppliers that use child or slave labor...of course all this adds to the final price. And this company would be competing directly with the evil ones. Now, the question is are YOU willing to pay more to a company tha Companies try to do things that help Humanity, not try to make the most amount of money? Or do you always hunt for the best deal?
I don´t think supply and demand bring out the worse in people, but I do think unregulated markets do. Government should guarantee there is actual competition for instance forbiding sellers to set a fixed price, forbiding monopolies, forbiding fusions the will result in 1 company controlling more than 60% of the market. There should also be consumer rights laws to avoid abusive contracts, dishonets propaganda, untruthul claims product return or money back in case of fabrication defect. This way there is a better power balance and a the supply and demand rule can actually work. If you have only one giga company that controls the production and sale of a service or product they'll give you fake options (like between supercheap use once and trash it and crazy expensive designer stuff. Other than that do you know what happened if the government freezes the prices of any product? The products dissapear, manufactors will rather export or not sell at all to pressure the consumers agaist the shortage, if you had to fight your fellow shoppers for the last toylet paper in the city (the bad sandpaper stuff) you'd be protesting really fast. Many capitalist countries with rampant inflation went through this.
TEDCred score: 0.00 TEDCred reflects your contribution to the TED community.
A comment on Conversation: How will you strive to change the World?
A reply on Conversation: Fixed Pricing would be much better than Supply and Demand
A reply on Conversation: Fixed Pricing would be much better than Supply and Demand
A comment on Conversation: Fixed Pricing would be much better than Supply and Demand
I don´t think supply and demand bring out the worse in people, but I do think unregulated markets do. Government should guarantee there is actual competition for instance forbiding sellers to set a fixed price, forbiding monopolies, forbiding fusions the will result in 1 company controlling more than 60% of the market. There should also be consumer rights laws to avoid abusive contracts, dishonets propaganda, untruthul claims product return or money back in case of fabrication defect. This way there is a better power balance and a the supply and demand rule can actually work. If you have only one giga company that controls the production and sale of a service or product they'll give you fake options (like between supercheap use once and trash it and crazy expensive designer stuff. Other than that do you know what happened if the government freezes the prices of any product? The products dissapear, manufactors will rather export or not sell at all to pressure the consumers agaist the shortage, if you had to fight your fellow shoppers for the last toylet paper in the city (the bad sandpaper stuff) you'd be protesting really fast. Many capitalist countries with rampant inflation went through this.