Monologist Mike Daisey "Thrilled" NY Times Is Covering Apple's Labor Abuses

Monologist Mike Daisey has drawn attention to the horrendous labor practices in China that are exploited by Apple and other electronics corporations since he first performed his one-man show, The Agony and the Ecstacy of Steve Jobs, in 2010. Recently, the New York Times has released a series of reports detailing the brutal nature of the Chinese "iEconomy," much of which overlapped with Daisey's show. A Romanesko reader wonders what Daisey thinks of the pieces, and he responded. "I’m absolutely thrilled that the NYT is doing this reporting. It’s what I’ve been hoping for—that journalists would dig in and pull this story out by its roots."

While the reader asked whether Daisey's show should somehow be credited in the Times' stories, the artist suggests that none is necessary.

I’m a monologist, and not a journalist in any traditional sense. I see our roles as utterly complementary—journalism reports the facts that fill our world, and I tell stories that create connections that make audiences engage in a human way.

Daisey also appeared on CBS this morning, and his show picks up again on Tuesday and will run through March 4 at The Public Theater. You can read our interview with Daisey, in which he rails against Apple's "capitalistic cowardice," here.

Contact the author of this article or email tips@gothamist.com with further questions, comments or tips.

By Christopher Robbins in Arts & Entertainment on January 29, 2012 12:35 PM

Comments [rss]

Christopher J. Stephens

I saw the show last time it was running at the Public. He's an amazing performer, and the show is a must-see. I was never an Apple fanboy like Daisey, but I'll never buy an Apple product again.

unretrofiedforu

Why? 'Cuz they lean on the same manufacturing and trade agreements utilized by all electronics manufacturers for the past O, 40 years?

Matt Chic

The Jan. 8th episode of This American Life was about Daisey's monologue, which he adapted part of for the show. Recommended.

ANGRYGOD11

Mike Daisey is an Apple fanboy who bothered to speak to the Foxcon workers and disabled former workers, unlike the reporters for publications like Wired who only speak to the bosses and confirm everything is alright.
If you have Apple products, you should see his show.

randomtransplant

The NYT also has written hit-pieces by unqualified writers on Apple competitors & seven page gushers about how "innovative" the use of what boils down to illegal labor practices by Foxcon are in articles like "How the U.S. lost out on I-Phone work" from January 21st. A week ago.

They sat on this story until it was common knowledge, so hopefully they do the right thing and lean on it hard now.

Dead Himmler

The nerve of this guy trying to lower the number of slaves I have working for me.
http://sfist.com/2011/12/15/oa...

cr17

This guy is doing great, important work. Unfortunately he speaks with that 90's spoken-word cadence I really wish had died a long time ago.

Rubicondo Fugacis

American consumers, you and me, should be the ones hanging our heads in shame. We demanded nothing but lower and lower prices... we enabled the "Wal-Mart-ization" of America...we agreed to the deregulation and globalization and the quasi-divine ordination of "market forces"....driving manufacturing and jobs to China, where capitalism-without-rights is the system.

blink667

I think you've got this ass backwards; corporations are employing 3rd world slave labor so they can greatly increase their profit margins. Everyone would like to spend less money on what they buy, but let's not get caught up in the illusion that the consumer is forcing corporations to exploit labor in Asia and South America in order to pass the savings on to the rest of us. Given what it costs to manufacture an iphone at Hon Hai, a new 4S should cost about $129 less than Apple charges.

unretrofiedforu

You're only attempting to shift the blame.

We all know it takes 2 to tango. There wouldn't be a need to cater to wall street or make a profit if there weren't consumers to consume their products.

Why can't we all just admit it? I do. I want everything and as long as I'm not in the same room or on the phone with that person, they can drop dead for all I care. That's personal responsibility.

My advice is to suck up the blame and move on. It makes downloading that app or checking out the latest inane episode of 'big bang theory' or 'Dexter' that much easier. :)