September 13th, 2017 — Business Ethics

When we look around the lecture hall, we see laptops and lots of them. Majority of them being, Apple, which now has a logo more recognizable than the cross. They have been fooling many of us every year at Apple’s conference where a new and improved iPhone is presented. Unfortunately, due to the wants our generation seeks, we are absorbed by the latest iPhone with the newest technology. To us, we are captivated and consumed by the marketing done by Apple which essentially makes us victims to consumerism. During Steve Jobs’ reign in Apple’s mission statement, “To make a contribution to the world by making tools for the mind that advance humankind.” has since been altered. Although Apple has done great things for mobile devices they also execute ideas that don’t typically advance humankind. Ironically, Apple has taken away tools that have advanced humankind like the auxiliary port from iPhone models past the seven.
At one point, people began to question why Apple would release a new iPhone every year but the answer is simple. They want to make as much profit off the consumer as possible. Apple removed the auxiliary port which allows us to connect a universal cable into our phones. Even with this new “feature”, consumers still decided to buy the new iPhone. They are making our brand-new iPhones obsolete in a market of ever-growing technology. In result, it leads us to purchase more overpriced accessories to make our existing technology compatible with Apple’s. What Apple is doing here is changing the market for phones. What was once seen as something that should be indestructible and a necessity in our society. Is now seen as a social status symbol and something we need to replace every two years.
As a business, what Apple does is extremely profitable and has made them the most valuable company in tech by Forbes. However, is the way they produce income really ethical? Myself and many others will argue that Apple shouldn’t be marketing themselves like this. From an article on The Globe and Mail, the author, Jonathan Sterne closes the article with, “I love my shiny gadgets as much as the next person but Apple’s missing earphone jack is a painful reminder of the personal, economic, and environmental and moral costs of never-ending updates.” At what point does Apple become an unethical company? Apple’s customers know that their devices will soon become outdated with the newest and latest but continue to fall into their trap. With how big Apple has become it is unlikely for them to stop their technological reign. A tech giant that works as a dictator has no end to their continuous growth in the market. 

Word Count: 448

Sources:

http://www.investopedia.com/ask/answers/042315/what-apples-current-mission-statement-and-how-does-it-differ-steve-jobs-original-ideals.asp

http://www.globeinvestor.com/servlet/ArticleNews/story/GAM/20160903/RBRIREGULYCOLUMN

Pictures:

http://static1.businessinsider.com/image/59b8459838d20d3c098b509c-2400/gettyimages-846148982.jpg

https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/56645405/iphone_x_gallery1_2017.0.jpeg