Submitted by scruffy_bear 1626d ago | article

Congo war minerals in your console: Here’s how to tell them ‘no more’.

Critical Gamer writes: Last week, I wrote an article regarding the connection between videogame consoles and computers, and the war in the Congo – more specifically, people’s reactions to an article in Kotaku on the subject. Now, I am able to offer you a chance to show that you care.

I chose to treat the subject of ‘conflict minerals’ – in this case, minerals mined to fund the widespread rape and murder in the Congo – as more than something to update the site with one day. I contacted the international charity Oxfam with a view to supporting an existing online petition on the subject, and they kindly pointed me in the direction of Raise Hope For Congo. As part of their campaigning, RHFC have set up an online form where you can, with just one click of a mouse button, tell Sony, Microsoft and Nintendo that you want them to ensure their machines contain no minerals from conflict zones. (Apple, Culture, Microsoft, Nintendo, Sony)

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Mondayding  +   1626d ago
Done, dusted, heartily agree.
scruffy_bear  +   1626d ago
Signed too who knows maybe the big wigs will listen to us
mrv321  +   1626d ago
So long as one man is different to another there will always be war.

It's sad but true, desire fuels everything include war. I live in a utopia and I know that, I am greatful about it and I will try to be as big a help to society as I possibly can. While I agree the situation is awful it's not going to change my mind on the next laptop I buy. If it's a £10 increase I'm fine with it, but £100 maybe not so much, it just strange how we value a human life, if it's indirect it's worthless, if it's direct it's priceless.
Ocelot525  +   1626d ago
welcome to capitalism

regulate the companies and such sh!t won't happen anymore(or at least decrease)

same story for bp

Gorbachev in the eighties knew things had to change, when will we? Or are we going to blame obama for the fact that manufacturers use war minerals?
#2.1 (Edited 1626d ago ) | Agree(2) | Disagree(1) | Report | Reply
mrv321  +   1626d ago
And let's say we ban or limit the import of such war minerals then what? I mean seriously. The War won't just stop, there will be no money, no food and people will fight anyway.
Dac2u  +   1626d ago
@mrv321: Not exactly, want to know what will really happen if we stop buying the conflict minerals? Nothing, except maybe a clearer conscience for a few people. China(the largest importer of these minerals) will continue to buy the minerals, regardless of a few internet videos which can't be viewed in China, anyway.
Snezana  +   1626d ago
Now that's something you don't expect to find in your console. I've signed the form, but I'm always rather sceptic about how much good it will do... Of course it is horrible, but will those companies actually change something that they've been doing succesfully for such a long time? But well, no harm in signing, maybe something will happen :)
IDesertFoxI  +   1626d ago
Another signature on the form certainly won't hurt. It's quite optimistic hoping that we'll change the minds of these companies though. One day everyone is complaining that games cost too much, and then we strongly disagree about the shortcuts the big companies take to try and cut them down. At least next time someone tells me that they are better because they have a Mac I can tell them that they fund the horrors of war (and then run off before they can tell me I'm doing the same).
Pidgeridoo  +   1626d ago
for all the time it takes to sign the petition it's worth it.
Cubes  +   1626d ago
Let's at least try to make a difference. Something needs to be done.
KrazyFace  +   1626d ago
This worries me. This has the connotations of one of those game decisions where you think you're doing the right thing but infact are doing the opposite. I just can't get the thought out my head that, the warlords that run this business in these metals will become something far more aggressive and terrible towards the poor people they've enslaved to mine these materials if their business becomes non-lucrative.

I'll sign it because I want to help, but I'm pretty sure I'll never stop thinking about what effect our decisions has had in the end result.
scruffy_bear  +   1626d ago
Nice to see that gamers do care, and its well worth 30 seconds of your life to fill in the petition
jazzking2001  +   1626d ago
hope it helps some
scruffy_bear  +   1626d ago
Every signature counts, Thank you everyone too for signing the petition
jerethdagryphon  +   1626d ago
well made vid and signed
HurstDarkStar  +   1626d ago
im actually not signing this
not because i dont like the reason,It's b/c i actually dont care too much
Ocelot525  +   1626d ago
people also didn't care about the oil industry in the gulf and see what happened
Cernunnos  +   1626d ago
It's because of people who don't care about others slavery arise.
gano  +   1626d ago
Now this is news for gamers.
I'm down.
dizzleK  +   1626d ago
i'm not signing it either. i'm selfish, my life and enjoyment thereof is simply more important than some feel-good bs involving people i will never meet in a country i will never go to. life sucks sometimes, sorry. theres too many issues right here at home for me to shed a tear over barbarians who have been killing each other for decades. if your country still contains people known as "warlords", you are a barbarian. as braveheart has taught us, if your land and your people are worth fighting for, then rise up against your oppressors no matter what the cost. stand up for yourselves, you have nothing left to lose.
#13 (Edited 1626d ago ) | Agree(0) | Disagree(3) | Report | Reply
iceman06  +   1626d ago
You do realize that this is not of their own volition or doing right? Have you studied history...especially in Africa? If you did, then you would truly know the damage that has been done on that continent. You are correct in saying that you are selfish. But, you should probably add in arrogant, presumptuous, and naive. Especially if you think that you will just continue to live this utopian nirvana. One day you will need help. I just sincerely hope that those that are asked to help you can be troubled by your meager plot in life and stop to help!

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