Social media is more powerful than ever. Whether in helping publicize citizen revolutions in the Middle East, in connecting tea-party or Occupy supporters, or just in corralling the power of angry consumers, the past months have been a wonder to behold.

Customers revolted over extra bank charges. The banks backed down. Then, Verizon phone company was going to institute a $2 surcharge for customers paying their bills online or by phone. Outrage. Charge rescinded. Congress was considering two bills to regulate the Internet -- the so-called SOPA and PIPA legislation (one was to stop online piracy and the second was to protect intellectual property). To freewheelers on the Internet, both bills infringed upon freedom. The revolt was so instantaneous -- complete with an Internet blackout of Wikipedia and millions of angry constituents calling and writing in -- that legislation was withdrawn immediately. (However, other legislation will be coming down the pike, so more revolts could be around the corner.)

More recently, a photograph of a pinkish something-or-the-other circulated across the Internet. The shot was of ammonium hydroxide, an additive that McDonald's used in preparing its hamburger meat. Appetizingly, the same additive is used in dog food. Shortly after the photo went worldwide, McDonald's announced that the pink stuff had not been in use since August. The fact that McDonald's publicized its decision about dropping the additive only after celebrity Chef Jamie Oliver's campaign went viral was just coincidence -- or so they say.

Most recently, of course, the announcement that the Susan G. Komen for the Cure Foundation was cutting funding to Planned Parenthood for breast cancer screenings. From announcement to reversal, not even a week -- because of backlash fueled by millions of people on social media

The result of all this virtual commotion is enough to give us hope -- that people, joined together, can create change and stop the powerful in their tracks.



Rotten at the core

Sacramento Bee

Over the years, Apple has built a loyal following because of its ingenuity and willingness to buck norms. Its customer base tends to be highly educated, concerned about conditions in foreign countries and affluent enough to afford the latest, cool new Apple product -- such as an iPad or iPhone.

Yet many of Apple's most devoted customers are angry at the moment, and rightfully so. Last month, the New York Times published a searing exposé of worker conditions at Apple subcontractor plants in China, where iPads and other Apple devices are assembled.

The Times was able to document an appalling pattern of worker mistreatment by Apple subcontractors at several factories, including ones owned by Foxconn Technology, one of Apple's biggest partners worldwide. The list of abuses includes workers exposed to poisonous chemicals; workers forced to work excessive overtime seven days a week; workers stuffed into overcrowded dorms; and laboring at risk of deadly explosions.

Apple put itself ahead of many companies by adopting a code of conduct in 2005 that has led the company to audit subcontractors, report problems and reveal plans for preventing violations. In its latest report, Apple reports: "We have a zero-tolerance policy for underage labor, and we believe our system is the toughest in the electronics industry. In 2011, we broadened our age verification program and saw dramatic improvements in hiring practices by our suppliers."

Yes, Apple is ahead of many companies in monitoring and correcting problems. But it is also the fastest growing of any tech company. The sheer volume of products it assembles and sells -- especially in a country as sprawling and closeted as China -- posits questions about whether Apple can track abuses in real time.

On the other hand, Apple is known for achieving the unimaginable and holding itself to higher standards. Any company that can create something as innovative as the iPad should be able to ensure its supply chain protects the environment and human dignity.

There ought to be an app for that.