Understanding the Impact of Technology on the Congo

The speaker shares a personal story of fleeing the Congo and highlights the paradox of technology, particularly mobile phones, which rely on tantalum mined in conflict zones. This mining has fueled war and human suffering in the Congo. Despite this, technology has also enabled global communication and political change. The speaker calls for fair-trade practices in technology production to prevent further suffering.

What is the speaker's connection to the Democratic Republic of the Congo?

• The speaker is a businessperson with investments in the Congo.

• The speaker is a tourist who visited the Congo.

• The speaker is a diplomat representing the Congo.

• The speaker is an asylum-seeker from the Congo.

What mineral, mined in the Congo, is crucial for mobile phones?

• Gold

• Tantalum

• Copper

• Silver

How has the extraction of tantalum affected the Congo?

• It has led to economic prosperity.

• It has caused environmental improvements.

• It has resulted in significant human suffering.

• It has improved healthcare facilities.

What is the paradox associated with mobile phones?

• They are only beneficial for developed countries.

• They are only used for entertainment.

• They are both tools of freedom and oppression.

• They are becoming obsolete.

How have mobile phones contributed to political change?

• By enabling people to share information quickly.

• By limiting access to information.

• By reducing the need for political engagement.

• By making communication more expensive.

What recent action has the US taken regarding the Congo?

• Passed legislation to support mining.

• Banned all imports from the Congo.

• Increased military presence in the Congo.

• Passed legislation to target bribery and misconduct.

What is Nokia's recent policy change related to the Congo?

• To stop selling phones in the Congo.

• To source minerals responsibly from the Congo.

• To open new factories in the Congo.

• To increase phone prices in the Congo.

What is the speaker's personal experience with communication before mobile phones?

• Communication was easy and fast.

• Communication was expensive and unreliable.

• Communication was only possible through the internet.

• Communication was not necessary.

What does the speaker advocate for in terms of mobile phones?

• Cheaper phones for everyone.

• More advanced technology.

• Fair-trade phones.

• Increased phone production.

Why does the speaker believe fair-trade phones are important?

• To ensure phones are made with ethical practices.

• To reduce the cost of phones.

• To make phones more durable.

• To increase the number of phone users.