Apple has responded to the claims that cmae out about less-then-idea working conditions for the Chinese workers who help put together iPods. The short version: they're looking into it.

Even if Apple is within the range of what is considered 'acceptable' working conditions, the idea of someone being paid 50$/month to build these gadgets detracts greatly from the Apple brand. Apple needs to get this issue off the press and the public's radar as soon as they can.

Furthermore, so much of our economy, of our way of life is based upon the use of cheap, abundant foreign labor to build our goods. Information technology as we know it today would not exist were it not for this now-common business practice. Even if you aren't ready to do anything about it, at least be aware of it and realize how dependent and endebited to offshore labour you are.