Yesterday, Network World published a follow-up article to the Government Accountability Office’s report on electronics recycling and disposal of “e-waste.” Not worth reading if you don’t have the time (or just dedicate yourself to following even more depressing ecological/economic exploits transpiring the world over), but the report brings up some interesting points that make me a tad curious if my annual effort to collect and recycle personal electronics (cell phones, batteries, monitors, etc.) through various corporate-sponsored, city-wide events is nothing more than an indirect method of relocating my shit to uglier, more troubled parts of the world.

While I perhaps was naive in assuming that the recycling process was performed by dudes wearing lab coats [and listening to Kraftwerk] — and that’s an image I’ve never actually fully had, thanks to the internet, reading, and the works of artists like Edward Burtynsky (whose images of e-waste dumps in Chinese villages are beyond words) — I’d atleast suspended my own frighteningly vivid skepticism for long enough to amass a pile of monitors, dead computer components, cell phones, and batteries in my Brooklyn basement in anticipation of moments affording ecologically responsible disposal.

The article goes on to state that a good bulk of these “recycled electronics” from various sources end-up in China and India — contrary to the aforementioned naive, Kraftwerk-and-lab-coat-filled vision — where devices meet hazardous, open-air incineration or acid baths (to strip precious metals from circuitry). Mixed loads of working and non-working electronics alike are also reported to be dumped indiscriminately in Africa for scavengers to pick apart. Naturally the EPA turns a blind eye to these activities.

Is this forming a rich tapestry of post-apocalyptic landscape visions for anyone else? Fucking hell!

To anyone with interest, my album “Cities of Cedar” (released July 29 on UK-based Boltfish Recordings) has been chosen as the Instrumental Record of the Week on the Now Like Photographs radio program (based out of Minneapolis). Check out the live stream [now archived!] between 7-9PM CST (8-10PM EST, naturally) or download the podcast featurette within a day or two. Very honored to be a part of a program I personally follow and enjoy.

In addition, a new Obfusc track entitled “Beneath The Cumulus Expanse” proudly accompanies the fine stock comprising a new compilation on the Expanding Electronic Diversity label dubbed “EED’s Summer Vacation ‘08.” Also included on the compilation are Milieu, Electricwest, David Tagg, Am-Boy, Canyon Country, and several other notables. Again, a great honor — very pleased to be associated with the always charming EED.

“EED’s Summer Vacation ‘08″ will be available soon for purchase through the label.