There are options - buying the phone outright is always a possibility. Sure, it's expensive, but computers are expensive, things worth having are expensive, and positive change doesn't come easy.

Furthermore, perhaps if enough people took a stand against one company, others would see that and start acting accordingly.

What's the alternative you're suggesting? It's impossible to change them so why try? Actually curious. You may need some Franz Kafka in your life.

Yes, we do. Businesses are nothing without sales. It can take time for it to really impact their bottom line, but it will.

The greater problem is that people aren't willing to go without. To be social pariahs at the expense of social clout. Who wants to go without having the things they want? Companies know this, hence marketing.

K... So what about everything else I said? You missed the point entirely, which is exactly why I was hesitant to add that bit.

It was an example and far from the point of my post. Also, you don't have to down vote me for disliking the little comic you posted.

Which is?

I've always hated that comic. It steamrolls the point the guy is making in order to cast him off as a troll.

The point is (let's use the first example) - if Apple is doing shady things, we can demand they do better by not giving then our money. Under capitalism our money is everything. Our voice, our strength, our bartering tokens. It's literally the fuel capitalism is based on. Knowing this, there is no greater tool than using that money to "punish"/reward businesses.