Linux Vs. Walmart

After watching both films, the documentary on Linux and the Frontline special on Walmart I am surprised at how much these companies depend on other sources for their success. I am also surprised to know that many of the products are made in other countries and these other countries employ workers there more than in America.


The documentary on Linux was very interesting yet sometimes confusing. I understand most of the concepts and what it is trying achieve but I do not understand how the system works exactly. The documentary was also very funny and reminded me of the Cluetrain Manifesto with the sarcasim, and the idea of the underdog winning. The opening sequence is funny because it proves that these middle class head honchos that run these companies know nothing compared to these scruffy hackers that spend most of their time and energy on the internet. The Linux company has been around for quite awhile and this was the first time I have ever heard of it. The aspect of Linux that makes it unique from the rest is that is freely distributed.


The special on Wal-mart was also extrememly interesting. It also proves the problem with hierarchy in businesses and how the people on top make the most money due to low cost of products and workers overseas. The people they employ are willing to work for low wages and except these jobs helping the people on top to make billions of dollars when they make close to nothing. This whole aspect goes back to the balance of power and the problems with this. the company makes so much money by our large consumerism and then paying little to nothing to employees. When I think about this is sickens me. You think because Wal-Mart has cheaper prices that it helps to save people money when in fact it does not. The lack of job opportunity for such a large company (the Largest company according to (www.fastcompany.com)is astonishing. The website also talks about outsourcing products from overseas. This again brings up the problem with consumerism in America. The way we spend money is outsourcing and causing many problems in other countries. Our large spending effects the entire world and puts many people, businesses, and sources out of production. Anah Shah author of Behind the Consumption and Consumerism in America, states "Today's consumption is undermining the environmental resource base. It is exacerbating inequalities. And the dynamics of the consumption-poverty-inequality-environment nexus are accelerating. If the trends continue without change - not redistributing from high-income to low-income consumers, not shifting from polluting to cleaner goods and production technologies, not promoting goods that empower poor producers, not shifting priority from consumption for conspicuous display to meeting basic needs - today's problems of consumption and human development will worsen".


laura , Julia, and Jean all make very good comparisons between both Linux and wal-mart as companies, as well as the key aspects in their success. I found this material interesting but at times a little repetitive in order to make a bias point.