A STORE IN SAN FRANCISCO

Hi what can we do for you today?
     Well, my MP3 player is broken.
 Did you buy the protection plan or it?
     I might have… I can’t remember I bought it four years ago.
Four years ago? Then it doesn’t matter it wouldn’t be valid anymore anyways.
     OK, well how much would it cost to have it fixed? I think it’s just the battery.
Let me see it? Wow, this thing is really old. This is like, actually the first model.
     Yeah, I’ve had it for a while. I was hoping someone here could fix it? Maybe your “Geek Support” or  “Genius Clinic” or whatever you call it?
I don’t think we can fix this thing. We don’t have the parts here; the model is completely different. Let me show you the latest version right here. It’s got a voice activated unlocking device and controller for when you’re driving, it can use wireless internet with built-in photo sharing capabilities, and it can hold three times as much as your current one, including video download and photos. Plus you can sync it up with all your other devices. I can help you set it up right here if you’d like.
     I don’t really need a new MP3 player, I just want to get mine fixed. It doesn’t hold a charge anymore I think it’s just the battery.
Listen, if you sign up for the protection plan for just $99 plus tax, you can get a mail in rebate for $150, so it’s actually half the listed price, plus we’ll replace it if it breaks. After a year we’ll upgrade you to the latest model for just $99.
     Could you tell me where I can go get my MP3 player fixed? I really don’t want to buy a new one I just want to fix my old one.
Honestly, there’s nowhere you can get that thing fixed. I’m just being honest with you. Besides its not compatible with most apps now and the USB is completely different. Can you even hook it up to your laptop?
     I don’t have a laptop.
Oh… well how do you even put music on that anyways?
     Well, I had a laptop that I used to upload music, but then it broke, so I’ve just had the same music on it for a while now.
Wow… well don’t worry I am going to set you up. You’re in luck, we have a deal for new customers who buy an MP3 player and laptop together. For just $995.86 plus tax you can get the newest MP3 player with 8 GBs of memory and wireless internet, and the standard 15” laptop. You can upgrade to the performance model for $200 more, which I’d recommend if you’re going to be streaming a lot of videos or have a lot of photos and music and stuff.
     Look, that’s really kind of out of my price range right now. I am mostly just interested in the MP3 player.
I totally understand. We have the latest personal tablet here too, which is a really great option for people on a tighter budget, because it can play music, connect to the internet, stream videos, and it has really excellent new games with better graphics. That is only $465, and you can add the protection plan for $99 plus tax.
     I don’t really need any of those things. Can I ask you a question?
Yes?
     What happens if I buy the protection plan, and my device gets too old for your Genius Squad to fix?
Well, the protection plan is only valid for two years. Within that two years you get one free upgrade to the newest model. All you have to pay is tax.
     What do you do with all the old stuff? Do you just throw it away?
We have a great recycling program here. You just bring your old device back in and we send it off to be recycled.
    Where does it go?
Honesty, I don’t know. Its just where all our old products go. They recycle it.
     I don’t understand, where does it go?

A DUMP SITE IN GHANA

     Hello? Hello, can I talk with you for a moment. Do you speak English?
Yes. A little.
     How old are you?
I have 11 years.
     You are 11 years old, and what are you doing here?
We’re looking for metal. Copper. In the wires.
     Have you been doing this for long?
I’ve been coming since three years. My brother there has been for four years.
      And what exactly is it you do?
We find the wires and we burn them. We burn the plastics off of the wires to get the copper for money.
     Do you realize that this is very harmful for you health?
(Inquisitive look.)
     It is bad for you. The smells?
Yes. We know, but we don’t care. We get money for the copper.
     Fascinating. Do you mind if we take a picture of you? With the fire and garbage pile behind you?
Ok.
      Ok. Great. Now maybe we can have one with your friends there? That’s great thank you.
You are reporter?
     I am writing an article for Nada Magazine, in the United States.
You’re American? These all come from the United States.
     This garbage you mean?
Yes, we get this all from United States.
     Really. Can we get one more picture? Oh… shit. The battery on the camera is dying. This thing is such a piece of crap. I keep telling them we need a new camera. This one is ancient.
You can throw it over there if you’d like.
END.


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