PlayStation 2 Fueled Congolese War?

via G4

Usually when we talk about console wars, we mean a bunch of nerds whining about the platform they like best, but according to a report from activist group Toward Freedom, the PlayStation 2 may have caused an actual war in the Congo.

The decade long war in Africa is called "The PlayStation War" by some, because it came about partially because of insatiable Western demand for a rare black ore called coltan that is used in the PS2 as well as other electronic equipment. Evidence shows that hundreds of millions of dollars worth of coltan were stolen from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), and the most active thieves were reportedly the Rwandan military, fueling tensions between the two nations.

Not only that, but apparently the Rwandans were using slave and child labor to mine the elements needed for you to play Katamari Damacy. "Kids in Congo were being sent down mines to die so that kids in Europe and America could kill imaginary aliens in their living rooms," said British politician Oona King, who was a Member of Parliament from 1997 to 2005.

The entire saga is depressing and disheartening look at the consequences of global capitalism. Sorry for the buzzkill, man.

On other news, Bill Gates creates web crime beause of computers.


They're relating capacitors to Playstations now? This is clearly being used negatively by Oona King to further ridiculous political gains, and is diluting the real message here.

That makes me feel bad. :( Oh well, im gonna go kill Imaginary demons in Devil May Cry 4.

It was actually believable until this:

Not only that, but apparently the Rwandans were using slave and child labor to mine the elements needed for you to play Katamari Damacy. "Kids in Congo were being sent down mines to die so that kids in Europe and America could kill imaginary aliens in their living rooms," said British politician Oona King, who was a Member of Parliament from 1997 to 2005.

This story has *nothing* to do with Playstations. It's about a substance used to make capacitors, which are in almost every electronic device imaginable.

wow i cant believe it maybe this statment will make people realise not to use electronics.......hang on wait how did oona king think this comment would be distributed to the masses,word of mouth i think not and who exactly called it the playstation war, hmmmmm possibly ooma king lol well sorry but i quite like my games and other electronic devices not our problem if that contry isnt stable enougth to manage exporting crap dont come crying to us saying you are evil for using the stuff we are exporting just because they cant handle rebels in their contry