The original article says women. Unless they are using women with small hands as code for children.

I would hope a social studies teacher would understand the pitfalls of Western orientalism and Western cultures obsession with describing other groups as ‘its’ rather than as whole persons.

But if we’re going to objectify people, why don’t we get real technical about it. Why not move manufacturing to other east Asian countries? Even outside of East Asia, you can find many countries with less labor protections and large populations where you can select for millions of people with small hands. Why China? Anyone who is being intellectually honest knows that hand size was not the central reason.

If this is widely accepted then Western culture has a long way to go when it comes to facing its history of racial objectification. Because this sounds less like a valid rationale and more like modern phrenology presenting itself as business and engineering acumen.

Young Chinese women have small fingers, and that has made them a valuable contributor to iPhone production because they are more nimble at installing screws and other miniature parts in the small device, supply chain experts said. In a recent analysis the company did to explore the feasibility of moving production to the United States, the company determined that it couldn’t find people with those skills in the United States, said two people familiar with the analysis who spoke on the condition of anonymity.

https://www.nytimes.com/2025/05/23/technology/apple-iphone-trump-india-china.html

They’re supposedly paraphrasing “supply chain experts” but they could definitely paraphrase better.

Western culture is built on a foundation of race based hierarchical brain rot and isn’t it remarkable how it always finds a way to remind us of that?

Agreed. Reading and learning about Indigenous / precivilization world views can also help achieve this in a more holistic way. One thing that the Western / dominant world view only sparingly concerns itself with is sustainability. If we all thought about sustainable living as much as we did keeping up with the Joneses, I’d imagine many people would be happier, healthier and more fulfilled (compared to living a life serving capital).

I would recommend people opt out of consumerism as much as possible and focus on sustainable living.

Don’t chase the carrot needlessly.

It may seem old to you because your privilege allows you to forget. Ask indigenous peoples if they have forgotten. You may be suprised by what you hear, when you take the time to listen.

To be fair, its not like the West played by the rules during the colonial era so that’s understandable.

A number of US based companies have willingly given away IP in the past to access the market.

I mean if we’re going to discuss statements of fact we could also include Europe’s history of colonial exploitation. But I’m on board with just ribbing the US for now.

Don’t be afraid to just take US intellectual property.

It was acquired through exploitative neoliberal and neocolonial policy. “AI” is actually the peak manifestation of this.

Also, China does it (though in some cases consensually) and its gone fairly well for them.

If you think Canada is bad (and it sure is), you should see how the US treated its indiginous peoples.

In the US, federal law allows women 3 months off after childbirth, after which infants are shipped to daycare.

This is unpaid leave that allows you to keep your benefits. Some states augment that with pay and some “benevolent” corporations will offer more pay or time.

State supported paternity leave does not exist.

Research shows that isolating men from children leads to poor modulation of testosterone resulting in more aggression and less empathy.

Research also shows that lack of mother child bonding in early development creates men like JD Vance.

Policy shapes biology which shapes culture which shapes policy. A vicious cycle that can only be broken once recognized.

Couldn’t agree more and do not in any way intend to diminish the hard work of those that prevented a widespread systems failure.

In hindsight. There was some degree of hysteria at the time, which prompted ended at the turn of the millenia when planes did not fall out of the sky and computer systems did not all fail in unison.

To encourage manufacturing you want low tarrifs on raw materials and high tarrifs only on finished products.

Key point that needs to be highlighted. Only fascists think their nation can be entirely self sufficient.

It should be. Don’t know what type or tantrum Israel would throw though. It would also embolden Iran which could come with other problems.

A breakdown of US-Israel relations may actually be a net positive for the world.

Old people. Boomers still use Facebook. Many even use it as their primary news source.

A public office should not be promoting a private enterprise. That’s not what tax dollars are for. Musk can pay for marketing and advertising like the rest of his competitors do.

Hopefully other nations see this cronyism and tell the US administration to stuff it.

A system that allowed one to pirate corporate American made or distributed content while being able to give back directly to creators would be nice.

State control of corporations and industry through force is a key ingredient of fascism. Might as well put a swastika on the MAGA hat wearer also.