The netizens in the underbelly of China

From the excellent The Story of W&L: China’s Great Internet Divide:

I also asked L, and only a handful of his grassroots users own a computer or have a 3G connection. So how could this happen? L smiled and said, internet cafes are not the most effective channel. Next to the factory districts there are convenience stores, where the workers assemble after work. The boss supplies a computer installed with all the mobile games, MP3s, movies, and an old-style karaoke songbook. There’s no need to go online, with a USB cable workers can download what they wish. Even more convenient, there’s a pushcart setup that can wheel this equipment to the workers’ dormitories.

…

Upon the string of suicides at Foxconn, he solemnly told me, “this is our fault”. I was startled. He said these youth jumping off buildings are the customers who feed me. Usually the mobile phone is the only entertainment for these workers, their only connection to the outside world. It’s our responsibility to give these workers happier lives.

Full article here.