Standing Up to Oppression: Will Apple Live Up to its 1984 Legacy by Embracing Bitcoin?
- Adam Richard John
- Jan 29, 2023
- 4 min read
Updated: Feb 18, 2023
The "Apple advert 1984" was an iconic television commercial released by Apple Inc. in January 1984. It was created to introduce the company's new Macintosh personal computer and was designed to be a critique of the status quo in the computer industry, which was dominated by IBM at the time. The commercial was directed by Ridley Scott and was inspired by George Orwell's novel "1984." It features a dystopic future world where a totalitarian government controls the masses through technology, until a woman in athletic gear appears, smashes a hammer into a giant screen, and frees them from their oppression. The advertisement was well received and has since become famous for its imaginative and thought-provoking nature. It is widely regarded as one of the best commercials of all time.
Apple made the comparison to George Orwell's novel "1984" in the "Apple advert 1984" to position their new Macintosh personal computer as a revolutionary product that would challenge the dominant player in the computer industry, IBM, and bring about change in the way people think about computers. The advertisement was meant to be a commentary on the monolithic nature of the computer industry at the time, where IBM was seen as the only player that mattered, and users were passive and accepting of the status quo.
In the commercial, Apple portrayed itself as a liberating force that would break down the oppressive nature of the computer industry, represented by the dystopian world controlled by the totalitarian government. The commercial also showcased the new Macintosh computer as a tool for individual empowerment and creativity, emphasizing its ease of use and user-friendly interface.
Thus, by using the comparison to "1984," Apple aimed to differentiate itself from the rest of the industry and position itself as a company that would challenge the status quo and bring about positive change. The advertisement was well received, and the message it conveyed has since become a defining characteristic of Apple's brand identity.
Apple has faced criticism over the years for its practices and policies relating to human rights, particularly in the areas of labor rights and environmental sustainability. Some of the most notable concerns include:
Labor practices in its supply chain: Apple has faced criticism for the working conditions and treatment of workers in its supply chain, particularly in factories located in countries like China and India. There have been reports of long working hours, low wages, and hazardous working conditions.
Environmental sustainability: Apple has also faced criticism for its environmental impact, particularly in relation to its production processes and use of finite resources like minerals and metals.
Privacy and data protection: Apple has faced concerns over privacy and data protection, particularly in relation to the collection and use of user data by the company and third-party apps available on its platforms.
Despite these criticisms, Apple has made efforts to address these issues and improve its track record on human rights. For example, the company has implemented programs to improve working conditions in its supply chain, developed more environmentally sustainable products and production processes, and taken steps to enhance user privacy and data protection.
Almost 40 years after their iconic ad, if Apple is sincere in its intention to truly free people from oppression, it must now embrace Bitcoin and integrate the world's most open payment network into the apple wallet. The integration of Bitcoin into the Apple Wallet would empower individuals and promote greater financial freedom and security. By embracing Bitcoin, Apple would be taking a step towards freeing people from oppressive monetary systems and financial institutions. Here's why:
Decentralization: Bitcoin is decentralized, meaning that it operates outside of the control of governments and traditional financial institutions. This gives individuals more control over their own finances and reduces the risk of monetary manipulation by centralized entities.
Financial freedom: With Bitcoin, individuals can make transactions without the need for intermediaries like banks, and with lower fees. This makes it possible for people to transact in countries with unstable currencies or restricted financial systems, thereby giving them greater financial freedom.
Security: Bitcoin uses cryptography to secure transactions, which makes it difficult for hackers or malicious actors to steal or manipulate funds. This is especially important for individuals in countries where the traditional financial system is vulnerable to theft or corruption.
Transparency: Bitcoin operates on a public ledger, the blockchain, that allows for greater transparency and accountability in transactions. This helps to reduce the risk of fraud and ensures that funds are properly tracked and accounted for.
Integrating Bitcoin into the Apple Wallet would promote greater financial freedom and security, and help to free people from oppressive monetary systems and financial institutions. This one action would accelerate Bitcoin adoption and ensure 1984 remains a fiction. What are you waiting for, Tim Cook?
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