Safety Last

When it comes to technology, businesses and consumers prioritize power over safety. With fierce global competition in the computer and mobile-phone markets, firms move products to market quickly, regardless of risks. Apple Computer and Dell Computer recently recalled lithium-ion batteries, which produced high power, but were also prone to explosions. In the competitive markets, the companies overlooked the risks because of the batteries’ low life expectancy. Author Robert Cringely notes: “Each new advance in energy storage seems to offer us a Faustian choice, and we always take the devil’s side: knowledge (talk- or surfing-time) over safety.” The unceasing demand for increased power in electronics leads to increased waste and long-term consequences for the environment. – YaleGlobal