This is a very interesting and sobering anecdote. Thank you for sharing that.jim stone wrote:(I remember folks
lamenting the civil rights movement, because
black folk might no longer sing the blues.)
Something wonderful is happening in the third world
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WyoBadger
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- Tell us something.: "Tell us something" hits me a bit like someone asking me to tell a joke. I can always think of a hundred of them until someone asks me for one. You know how it is. Right now, I can't think of "something" to tell you. But I have to use at least 100 characters to inform you of that.
- Location: Wyoming
Lots of us wish for a simpler time. Progress is always a mixed bag. You give something like this to someone, you take something away too.
Emm pointed it out well. I distrust computer technology, and sometimes think computers and TV have taken much more from our culture than they have added. Yet I type this on a laptop...
[curmudgeonly musing]
So it goes. I hate to see logging and road building in my mountains, but I live in a house made of wood. I hate to see oil wells in the Red Desert, but my truck runs on gasoline. Everything is a trade off. The thing about technology is it is becoming ever more ubiquitous. I fear we're raising a generation of kids who will be unable to tie its shoes--let alone communicate or be productive or entertain itself--without computer assistance. Now magazines tout the advent of "smart clothes." Why tie your shoes when there are "smart laces?" I find all this just a bit spooky and kind of sad. What we have gained in convenience we have lost in substance.
So I can see where Walden and James are coming from. Progress is a mixed bag. I miss writing letters.
[/curmudgeonly musing]
Tom
Emm pointed it out well. I distrust computer technology, and sometimes think computers and TV have taken much more from our culture than they have added. Yet I type this on a laptop...
[curmudgeonly musing]
So it goes. I hate to see logging and road building in my mountains, but I live in a house made of wood. I hate to see oil wells in the Red Desert, but my truck runs on gasoline. Everything is a trade off. The thing about technology is it is becoming ever more ubiquitous. I fear we're raising a generation of kids who will be unable to tie its shoes--let alone communicate or be productive or entertain itself--without computer assistance. Now magazines tout the advent of "smart clothes." Why tie your shoes when there are "smart laces?" I find all this just a bit spooky and kind of sad. What we have gained in convenience we have lost in substance.
So I can see where Walden and James are coming from. Progress is a mixed bag. I miss writing letters.
[/curmudgeonly musing]
Tom
Fall down six times. Stand up seven.
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missy
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not necessarily this particular article.....
.....But I often wonder when you read about computers being given to third world schools, how are they going to be powered?
Many of these areas have electricity sporatically, if at all. Hell, many don't have a dependable source of potable water - which causes many young children to die.
But "we" are giving them laptops.
whoopee........
.....But I often wonder when you read about computers being given to third world schools, how are they going to be powered?
Many of these areas have electricity sporatically, if at all. Hell, many don't have a dependable source of potable water - which causes many young children to die.
But "we" are giving them laptops.
whoopee........
I don't know the answer to your question, worth checking out, I agree.
However this is a practical program, no question.
Not designed by morons.
The info I have so far is that the laptops
run on very little energy ('stingy'), can survive
a drop from several feet, and can be
repaired for a number of problems
by the kids themselves. Also
they appear to have no hard drive,
nor have they a fan that sucks
anything into them. The computers
are designed to survive at least five years.
So very sporadic energy would probably be enough.
Also the laptops aren't going to schools.
They are going directly to children.
Also they appear to have a large number
of books hard wired into them, many
in the language the child speaks.
They are going for 183 dollars, I think.
They were meant to go for 100.
Perhaps the price will come down.
The computers appear to be bought by
the host government.
By the way, a search on 'clean drinking water'
might get a clever 12 year old (rapidly
learning engineering) the info she needs to
clean up the village's water supply. The possibilities
are rather extraordinary, and note they
come largely from the bottom up. We don't
have to wait for the government to solve
problems.
P.S. Also many of the poorest children on earth
are going to grow up naturally fluent on computers
in a world where computer skills are going to
be more and more marketable. (As I mentioned
earlier, you don't necessarily have to leave
your village to earn a living with a computer.)
However this is a practical program, no question.
Not designed by morons.
The info I have so far is that the laptops
run on very little energy ('stingy'), can survive
a drop from several feet, and can be
repaired for a number of problems
by the kids themselves. Also
they appear to have no hard drive,
nor have they a fan that sucks
anything into them. The computers
are designed to survive at least five years.
So very sporadic energy would probably be enough.
Also the laptops aren't going to schools.
They are going directly to children.
Also they appear to have a large number
of books hard wired into them, many
in the language the child speaks.
They are going for 183 dollars, I think.
They were meant to go for 100.
Perhaps the price will come down.
The computers appear to be bought by
the host government.
By the way, a search on 'clean drinking water'
might get a clever 12 year old (rapidly
learning engineering) the info she needs to
clean up the village's water supply. The possibilities
are rather extraordinary, and note they
come largely from the bottom up. We don't
have to wait for the government to solve
problems.
P.S. Also many of the poorest children on earth
are going to grow up naturally fluent on computers
in a world where computer skills are going to
be more and more marketable. (As I mentioned
earlier, you don't necessarily have to leave
your village to earn a living with a computer.)
Last edited by jim stone on Wed Dec 26, 2007 11:12 am, edited 1 time in total.
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Walden
- Chiffmaster General
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I was speaking as a person who, at a young age, relocated to the so-called third world, and into an area where computers were nonexistent. I found comfort, at the time, in being outside of the all-encompassing reach of modern technology.Dale wrote: I know what you're saying and it may be a fair concern. But, there's something that bugs me about this. It's like we're here with our computers and technology and relative wealth saying, let's keep the 21st century away from these people so we can watch documentaries about them on cable TV and be charmed by quaint their cultures are. I'm not saying you're doing that or even that someone would be wrong headed in thinking about how the Internet will contribute to the homogenization of culture--it's just that it bugs me a bit.
Reasonable person
Walden
Walden
Good grief, I've been hearing about this project for so long I forget thatmissy wrote:.....But I often wonder when you read about computers being given to third world schools, how are they going to be powered?
Many of these areas have electricity sporatically, if at all. Hell, many don't have a dependable source of potable water - which causes many young children to die.
But "we" are giving them laptops.
everyone hasn't seen all the iterations. The technological challenges have
been the talk of Geek circles for a few years now. One iteration had a hand
crank so human-power could be used. It appears this idea did make it into
the final product:
laptop.org wrote:In addition, —for use at home and where power is not available—the XO can be solar or foot powered. It will come with at least two of three options: a crank, a pedal, or a pull-cord. It is also possible that children could have a second battery for group charging at school while they are using their laptop in class.
http://www.laptopgiving.org/en/ways-to-donate.php
Another link to this outfit. Note it is possible to donate
laptops to third-world children. Cambodia, Mongolia
are on the list too.
help topics
* opening the laptop
* getting connected
* using activities
* inviting a friend
* sharing with the neighborhood
* using your journal
* ebook mode
*
*
* home view
* friends view
* neighborhood view
* activity view
* laptop features
* external ports
* keyboard
* battery
*
*
* troubleshooting
* getting started (pdf)
These have built in antennae so that, out of the box,
one of these laptops can communicate with any
other in the neighborhood.
Another link to this outfit. Note it is possible to donate
laptops to third-world children. Cambodia, Mongolia
are on the list too.
help topics
* opening the laptop
* getting connected
* using activities
* inviting a friend
* sharing with the neighborhood
* using your journal
* ebook mode
*
*
* home view
* friends view
* neighborhood view
* activity view
* laptop features
* external ports
* keyboard
* battery
*
*
* troubleshooting
* getting started (pdf)
These have built in antennae so that, out of the box,
one of these laptops can communicate with any
other in the neighborhood.
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peeplj
- Posts: 9029
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Walden wrote:P0rnography?jim stone wrote: Things the XO laptop does.
"Education."
--James
http://www.flutesite.com
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"Though no one can go back and make a brand new start, anyone can start from now and make a brand new ending" --Carl Bard
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"Though no one can go back and make a brand new start, anyone can start from now and make a brand new ending" --Carl Bard
http://www.laptop.org/en/laptop/start/activities.shtmlWalden wrote:P0rnography?jim stone wrote: Things the XO laptop does.
See for yourself.
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CountryKitty
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Just my $0.02 worth,
As a Mom, I definitely want my kids to be educated (the history, science and discovery channels are favorites here, both with DH and I and the kids).
Also, one big problem in third world countries is the LACK of learning. One reason AIDS is so prevalent in Africa is a lack of knowledge on how it is spread and how to prevent it. (A terrible rumor went around on how to cure it a couple years ago--resulting in the further spread of the illness as one of the horrible consequences). And don't forget that a misunderstanding of the purpose of the polio vaccine in muslim countries led to the refusal to vaccinate by many parents.
These laptops--which give access to a world of information--are a good thing.
As a Mom, I also pay attention to WHAT my kids are watching on TV and online. There have been quite a few frank discussions on what does and does NOT complement our beliefs and values. Altho' the laptops WILL have an impact on the societies to which they are introduced, I can't see them destroying them as some people fear.
On the balance, I think they are a very positive thing.
As a Mom, I definitely want my kids to be educated (the history, science and discovery channels are favorites here, both with DH and I and the kids).
Also, one big problem in third world countries is the LACK of learning. One reason AIDS is so prevalent in Africa is a lack of knowledge on how it is spread and how to prevent it. (A terrible rumor went around on how to cure it a couple years ago--resulting in the further spread of the illness as one of the horrible consequences). And don't forget that a misunderstanding of the purpose of the polio vaccine in muslim countries led to the refusal to vaccinate by many parents.
These laptops--which give access to a world of information--are a good thing.
As a Mom, I also pay attention to WHAT my kids are watching on TV and online. There have been quite a few frank discussions on what does and does NOT complement our beliefs and values. Altho' the laptops WILL have an impact on the societies to which they are introduced, I can't see them destroying them as some people fear.
On the balance, I think they are a very positive thing.