Live data from Hacker News

North Korean animation outsourcing for Amazon, HBO Max series

38north.org

231–240 of 305 posts

Re: North Korean animation outsourcing for Amazon, HBO Max series

#235

When I saw the title, I immediately thought of the show "Invincible" which had abysmal animation, and lo and behold, its right there are the top of the list.

I felt that way watching season 1 but I was drawn in by the great story regardless.

Re: North Korean animation outsourcing for Amazon, HBO Max series

#236
post #225

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I dont think it is worth it. Existing law already punishes companies operating in bad faith, and I would want companies operating in good faith to remain protected. The Amazon and HBO are the victims here. They were the ones harmed and deceived.

I don't think they were victims or deceived. It's normal for companies to set metrics that can't be legitimately achieved and then closing their eyes and pretending they don't know what's going on. A waste disposal company in Canada had a quota for "overflow fines", which ended with employees overfilling dumpsters themselves. Call centers set unachievable metrics that require employees to redirect and mark issues as…

If you are coming from the default position that companies inherently and always bad, I dont think we will be able to have a conversation about it.

Re: North Korean animation outsourcing for Amazon, HBO Max series

#237
post #172

Earlier quoted context omitted.

But that's the most interesting part of the article - that Amazon and HBO projects are being worked on by NORTH KOREAN workers!!! I totally agree with the HN headline and I'm glad it got me to click and read the entire article.

It's also wild that it somehow makes financial sense to outsource a core input into your product. A company that makes animations outsourcing animation makes as much sense to me as a software company outsourcing engineering. Though we do have a plane company that outsources making planes, but that's going some sort of way right now...

This is fairly standard for mature products. In the early days the whole production process is tightly integrated, but as components and processes mature there is less room for there to be some “secret sauce.” Once that happens it makes sense to outsource it to other firms who compete on cost while you focus on parts where you can differentiate.

That said, companies frequently misstep determining where they can safely outsource and where they must keep things integrated.

Re: North Korean animation outsourcing for Amazon, HBO Max series

#238

The HN headline is more clickbaitey than the original article, which has a different headline and goes out if its way to point out that Amazon and HBO are likely not the ones doing the outsourcing to North Korea. > There is no evidence to suggest that the companies identified in the images had any knowledge that a part of their project had been subcontracted to North Korean animators. In fact, as the editing comments…

Not really. Outsourcing and then claiming ignorance is not a defense against financing North Korea.

Is financing North Korea bad? I understand that is illegal for American companies because it is an enemy of the Empire, but I applaud those willing to break the law to help the enemies of the Empire.

Re: North Korean animation outsourcing for Amazon, HBO Max series

#239
post #172

Earlier quoted context omitted.

But that's the most interesting part of the article - that Amazon and HBO projects are being worked on by NORTH KOREAN workers!!! I totally agree with the HN headline and I'm glad it got me to click and read the entire article.

It's also wild that it somehow makes financial sense to outsource a core input into your product. A company that makes animations outsourcing animation makes as much sense to me as a software company outsourcing engineering. Though we do have a plane company that outsources making planes, but that's going some sort of way right now...

Software companies don't outsource engineering in your country?

Re: North Korean animation outsourcing for Amazon, HBO Max series

#240
post #199

Why is the USA sanctioning the citizens of North Korea? It's not like theyre happy about a dictator running the country doing international crazy stuff and oppressing them. I feel like we should be supporting any capitalistic effort they make so that they can build up resources to combat their dictator from within.

This is normal behavior. We feed our allies and starve our enemies.

More like invading, and starving innocent countries under pretext.

The enemies are consuming more than ever before in history.

Post reply on HN