This comic is based on the story out of China, in which a 17-year-old student gave up his kidney for money, some of which was used buy an iPad and an iPhone. The appalling idea that some one would undergo major surgery in order to purchase gadgets is really troubling and says something about the escalation of consumerism in China and the entire world. If the boy was in some sort of trouble or trying to help someone with the money this might be different but that is not what he was doing as far as I know. In my comic I only mean to call attention to this insane level of consumerism and “keeping up with the Jones” mentality that pulls at all of us everyday.
The real sad thing is now that the poor kid is suffering from a renal deficiency as a result of the procedure and that is not funny. Luckily the official Chinese Xinhua News Agency is reporting that five people have been arrested for alleged involvement in the removal and selling of a teenager’s kidney for transplant, according to the Associated Press. These people really need to check their moral compass. What the hell are doing? Yikes!
Here are some links to the articles about this story:
LA TIMES
YAHOO/AP
