posted
Jim heard about the One Laptop Per Child program on CBC the other day. The computers they have developed have some neat new technology in terms of durability, power usage and display and will be distributed to children in developing worlds. They sport open source software. For two hundred dollars you can send a laptop to a child, for four hundred you can purchase two laptops, one for a needy child and one for a child in your life. FAQ about One Laptop Per Child Interesting concept.
-------------------- “Did you ever stop to think, and forget to start again?” -Winnie the Pooh & A.A. Milne
Kelly Thorson Kel-T-Grafix 801 Main St. Holdfast, SK S0G 2H0 ktg@sasktel.net Posts: 5496 | From: Penzance, Saskatchewan | Registered: May 2002
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It is fantastic. I've been reading about this idea for at least a couple of years now, but didn't believe they could really do it. And do it on budget. And keep up the quality.
Children being children, my older son's first comment was "Can we move to a poor country?"
-------------------- Frank Smith Frank Smith Signs Albany, NY www.franksmithsigns.com Posts: 807 | From: Albany, NY USA | Registered: Nov 1998
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Computers are wonderful time-saving TOOLS and are bringing information and education to everyone now. We need EVERYONE on this planet to be educated, not let brains go lame.
-------------------- Frank Smith Frank Smith Signs Albany, NY www.franksmithsigns.com Posts: 807 | From: Albany, NY USA | Registered: Nov 1998
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I disagree, I think education is the key to helping disadvantaged communities learn to look after themselves. Education about disease, proper nutrition, safe drinking water, adequate housing etc. will in the long run do more good than trying to treat the sick and feed the starving. Giving them the tools they need to learn to grow adequate food, dig wells, build power supplies will give them a chance for the future.
Give a man a fish.......
-------------------- “Did you ever stop to think, and forget to start again?” -Winnie the Pooh & A.A. Milne
Kelly Thorson Kel-T-Grafix 801 Main St. Holdfast, SK S0G 2H0 ktg@sasktel.net Posts: 5496 | From: Penzance, Saskatchewan | Registered: May 2002
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What is interesting to me is that these computers have been developed with a screen that is visible in bright daylight, has been developed to be very power efficient and has a much longer range wireless.
-------------------- “Did you ever stop to think, and forget to start again?” -Winnie the Pooh & A.A. Milne
Kelly Thorson Kel-T-Grafix 801 Main St. Holdfast, SK S0G 2H0 ktg@sasktel.net Posts: 5496 | From: Penzance, Saskatchewan | Registered: May 2002
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It is a wonderful program and I do agree education is key. It would seem to me food and basic education is more important than an electronic gadget to learn on. I must be missing something here.
-------------------- Bob Rochon Creative Signworks Millbury, MA 508-865-7330
"Life is Like an Echo, what you put out, comes back to you." Posts: 5149 | From: Millbury, Mass. U.S. | Registered: Nov 1998
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There are so many different levels that help is needed. I suspect that the donations given to this program will come from a very different field than those given to World Vision, CUSO, churches etc. It will simply appeal to a different sector of society, perhaps some of those who are skeptical about the use (or deemed misuse) of funds through some of the other organizations. I guess I see it as more than an electronic gadget. It will give them the skills they need to access information like how to build a generator, or how to preserve food or prevent the spread of disease, as well as act as a means of communication. Their idea of marketing by offering a additional computer for the donor at cost seems a good ploy as well.
-------------------- “Did you ever stop to think, and forget to start again?” -Winnie the Pooh & A.A. Milne
Kelly Thorson Kel-T-Grafix 801 Main St. Holdfast, SK S0G 2H0 ktg@sasktel.net Posts: 5496 | From: Penzance, Saskatchewan | Registered: May 2002
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Hmmm...crust of bread and a vaccine against disease or a laptop?
Tough choice.
Edit: Are there even electrical outlets in these third world villages? I think the biggest problem is that these people will not use the millions of condoms we send them.
If you can't educate nor convince them to use a condom to prevent pregnancies in a society that doesn't have enough food and medicine to satisfy those already living, how do you suppose that having a laptop is going to be the catalyst for an educational boon?
Let's send them cars and MP3 players too.... I cannot agree with this one....you don't help the sick and starving by giving them a laptop to figure out how to build a generator. The components to build a generator would cost them two lifestimes of savings - which they don't have anyway.
The basics - food, clean water, vaccines, medicine, clothes. Laptops cannot be even a sliver of a priority to these folks.
posted
give them the laptop.. let them worry about the power and usage. Not all 3rd world countries are filled with bare naked persons building mud huts living in the jungle and eating whatever comes across the yard.
Guam for example. Hundreds of kids living in need of access to the outside world. I know of one now grown up woman from Guam who got access to western technology as a child who is now helping her fellow countrymen.
Teh south pacific is filled with these persons in need.
-------------------- Leaper of Tall buildings.. If you find my posts divisive or otherwise snarky please ignore them. If you do not know how then PM me about it and I will demonstrate. Posts: 5274 | From: Im a nowhere man | Registered: Jul 2001
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Todd if you dug alittle deeper into the article you whould see that these units are solar powered or even a hand crank to generate the battery.
They have a rabbit ear rotar so they never need to plug in. So what is the old saying about fishing? Eductation is needed just as much as all other important things to help.
-------------------- Stephen Deveau RavenGraphics Insinx Digital Displays
Letting Your Imagination Run Wild! Posts: 4327 | From: Lower Sackville, Nova Scotia, Canada | Registered: Jan 2000
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Here's the red flag from the link provided:
quote:The laptop computers will be primarily sold to governments of developing nations at this time.
That's about as smart as us giving food, money, and supplies to Mogadishu....the "government" disperses all the goods to the thugs and drug runners and radical thug clans, while the innocent oppressed get squat.
I'd buy a laptop only if it came wired to disintegrate at the first google search for "bomb making 101" or "how to kill an American."
Again...food, water, medicine, basic clothing, and perhaps some shelter of some sort for the oppressed....but I wouldn't give a nickel to, or pass product through the hands of any 3rd world "government" official.
posted
When I read this I see a reoccurring theme. Don’t send third world countries technology; send them only food and ways to fight disease. Why not send them both? Like Kelly has been trying to say the computers act as a gateway to the outside world where they can learn skills that could help them in there struggles towards food and preventing disease, which in the long run could prove to be a very positive thing. If we just send them a quick answer not the solutions on how to develop their own answers it will take them much longer to learn. To me if an organization that specializes in making computers has the ability to help in their own way, why not let them do it.
As far as them using the laptops to find ways to bomb America, I think we need to look at this a bit differently and take a different approach then the ones we have taken in the past. By lending a helping hand to help end poverty rather than ignoring it or coming up with excuses on why we can’t help, we well remove the resentment towards our more developed counties. Remember this is a positive thing. This organization is only trying to help. I really don’t see the need of shooting down an idea that could potentially do some great good in this world.
-------------------- Joe Diaz Diaz Sign Art 628 W. Lincoln Ave. Pontiac, IL 61764 www.diazsignart.com Posts: 538 | From: Pontiac, IL | Registered: Aug 2005
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Joe, you always impress me with your rational, diplomatic and intelligent comments...someone did a good job of raising you...maybe you should take them out to supper.
-------------------- “Did you ever stop to think, and forget to start again?” -Winnie the Pooh & A.A. Milne
Kelly Thorson Kel-T-Grafix 801 Main St. Holdfast, SK S0G 2H0 ktg@sasktel.net Posts: 5496 | From: Penzance, Saskatchewan | Registered: May 2002
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I have travelled a little. Not a whole lot, but what I have seen in poorer countries is the kids really cherish things that are given to them. Yes it would be a problem of distribution. Its hard to believe that the computers will get into the right hands without major problems along the way. But if a community were to get a laptop I think it would be cherished. And there would be a great deal of learning. Look what a group of underpriviledged kids do with a simple baseball. But although it is a fantastic idea I'd be afraid to be the mother of a child who has the laptop, I'd be afraid for their life. People kill each other in some places for a lot smaller things than that.
-------------------- Deri Russell Wildwood Signs Hanover, Ontario
You're just jealous 'cause the little voices only talk to me. Posts: 1904 | From: Hanover, Ontario, Canada | Registered: Dec 1998
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Instead of calling me 'paranoid'....you might want to watch the movie Black Hawk Down...or research it.....We dumped a lot of food and supplies to those suffering people which was immediately stolen by the thugs with the artillery. It was a waste of money....as all the food and supplies went directly to the corrupt thugs running things.
I mean, feel free to buy one and send it on if you want....just don't be naive and think that some poor skeletonized kid is going to end up with it and have his/her life miraculously changed.
It's simply my opinion that food and shelter and the basic necessities for sustaining life itself would be a better focus of expendable monies. At least there are programs and groups distributing it so you can be reasonably sure that the bulk of your aid is going directly to the afflicted instead of in some corrupt officials closet.
Sorry if I was a bit dramatic here....no offense personally to anyone. I'm just stating what I believe to be a realistic opinion. I could be totally wrong.
posted
Thanks, Kelly for the kind words. Now I guess I’m going to have to take them out.
I see Todd and Deri’s points, as they are good ones. The problem is in some cases when we send aid to countries like this it falls in the wrong hands, so what can we do to stop this? I don’t think the answers would be to not try anything at all, and I don’t know all the answers. But we have to do something, we have to be compassionate towards these countries in some way. I really do think that if the world sees that we do help, there well be less resentment towards us.
Let’s face it (and I’m going to get a tiny bit political, actually a better word to use is moral, so sorry in advance), Some of these countries really don’t have much in the way of resources to trade. So therefore, what’s in it for us western societies, right? It’s a little bit sad but I doubt our government(s) are going to get too involved, especially now, when there are bigger fish to fry. Some times I wonder if the leaders of the world can see the bigger picture, and on the flipside Sometimes I believe that there are just too many problems for them to solve. So us as citizens of the world, not the U.S. not Canada, not Europe, not Australia, the World! needs to get involved. And help end poverty. And I’m a big believer that information and education holds the key to the problem. These countries need to learn to be self sufficient and learn that they can’t rely on us to feed and treat them.
-------------------- Joe Diaz Diaz Sign Art 628 W. Lincoln Ave. Pontiac, IL 61764 www.diazsignart.com Posts: 538 | From: Pontiac, IL | Registered: Aug 2005
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boy so many cant see beyond their own DISBLEIFES they have been told. not every country looks like the bits and pieces you see on the SALLY STRUTHERS kids funding shows. look in W.VA, look on the INDIAN RESERVATIONS. i got a freind who works in the 4 corner area with indian chilren, they dont have the tools to educate HERE. look at all the ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS and where they came from.....why are they here? why dont they stay in their own country? EVERYBODY WANTS A BETTER LIFE.....best way to help is OPEN YOUR MIND......
-------------------- joe pribish-A SIGN MINT 2811 longleaf Dr. pensacola, fl 32526 850-637-1519 BEWARE THE TRUTH.....YOU MAY NOT LIKE WHAT YOU FIND Posts: 11582 | From: pensacola, fl. usa | Registered: Nov 1998
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Ok donnot tell Oprah that she has wasted all those millions in building schools for kids in the third world.
Lets just build Rotten Ronnies in every village. Cure the area of its hunger. But then again they get robbed on a weekly base.
Deri ----------------------------------------------- quote: I'd be afraid to be the mother of a child who has the laptop, I'd be afraid for their life. People kill each other in some places for a lot smaller things than that. ----------------------------------------------- Your so right on this, as you read all the time about kids being stabbed for a pair of damn Niki Runners here in your own country.
Joseph quote: ------------------------------------------------ I’m a big believer that information and education holds the key to the problem. These countries need to learn to be self sufficient and learn that they can’t rely on us to feed and treat them. ------------------------------------------------- Thanks Joseph you read many peoples minds. and as Joe said...EVERYBODY WANTS A BETTER LIFE.....best way to help is OPEN YOUR MIND......
-------------------- Stephen Deveau RavenGraphics Insinx Digital Displays
Letting Your Imagination Run Wild! Posts: 4327 | From: Lower Sackville, Nova Scotia, Canada | Registered: Jan 2000
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Thank you, Kelly. I signed up for the 2 for 1 program as much as possible now. The $400 2 for 1 actually begins November 12 and they'll be emailing me a reminder so I don't miss it. My own 12 yr old is quite gifted with computers, owning quite a few, always swapping boards, drives, OS, browsers, programs. They're all junkers, but they don't frustrate him; he just keeps keeps learning. His $200 laptop will come with linux, which he's already familiar with, so it should be smooth sailing. This is just fantastic; I thought I would have to spend more just to get my own son a non-junker and not have any $ left to help anyone else. Those pictures of the 3rd world kids in school with their laptops give much hope for their future. The African girl walking to school with one balanced on her head is priceless. The Uruguayan classroom may appear "poorer" than anywhere in USA, but is it really?
-------------------- Frank Smith Frank Smith Signs Albany, NY www.franksmithsigns.com Posts: 807 | From: Albany, NY USA | Registered: Nov 1998
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On topic Education is great, and I'm not saying it shouldn't be pursued, I'm simply saying that you cannot educate a person who is lying on the street starving to death.
Get the people fed and healthy on a regular basis so they have the energy and focus to take up education.
But then there is the question of; "Ok, I've got a full stomach and know I can count on daily nutrition....so I can move my thoughts beyond survival mode and begin focusing on educating myself. Now that I'm educated...what can I do with it, in light of a 3rd world regime that is intent on keeping the poor - poor and the rich - rich?"
Short of rebellion and civil war, I don't see where even education means much in the daily lives of many of these people.
Take Iraq, for instance. Many of the Iraqi people are "educated"....yet their dreams and lives were in large part stifled by the dictatorial regime of Saddam Hussein.
People cannot truly flourish and take advantage of their knowledge unless they experience personal liberty and freedom to express themselves.
Off topic And Stephen, I can't help but see a bit of anti-American sentiment in your statement:
quote:as you read *all the time* about kids being stabbed for a pair of damn Niki Runners here in your own country.
I've heard of maybe 2 or 3 events like this publicized in my entire life...I'm sure there have been more than that...but I certainly don't read all the time about this type of thing...where are you reading this??
Canada is no Shan-gri-la:
quote:an article by Canada's National Post columnist David Frum where he revealed that "Canada's overall crime rate is now 50 percent higher than the crime rate in the United States.” Moreover, "Since the early 1990s, crime rates have dropped in 48 of the 50 states and 80 percent of American cities. Over that same period, crime rates have risen in six of the 10 Canadian provinces and in seven of Canada’s 10 biggest cities.”
He also cites the most recent complete data available from both countries that shows that in 2003, the violent crime rate in the United States was 475 per 100,000 people; while up north, there were 963 violent crimes per 100,000 people. The figure for sexual assault in Canada per 100,000 people was more than double that of the United States: 74 as opposed to 32.1; and the assault rate in Canada was also more than twice that of the states: 746 to America's 295 for the people.
posted
As I said before folks, kids in poorer countries (and yes, here in North America as well) really cherish what they get if they have never had the opportunity to have it. And I think its a great idea to get ANY kid onto the internet. I agree that it seems only fair that ALL kids get a chance to learn- as much as they want. It would just be nice if maybe they could have them at school, with an armed guard or something, I don't know, where they wouldn't be in as much danger.
That's not going to stop me from sending the money to supply one of them with a laptop though. (Wish I could send a note with it, learn well, but be careful, don't let anybody know you have this. )
-------------------- Deri Russell Wildwood Signs Hanover, Ontario
You're just jealous 'cause the little voices only talk to me. Posts: 1904 | From: Hanover, Ontario, Canada | Registered: Dec 1998
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posted
Like I said before, lets try to not make this personal. Frank, I'm not sure how happy your 12 year old son will be with the new computer. I understand they are pretty bare bones in order to minimize power usage. You probably should look into the specs before you decide for sure. I have the impression it might fall short if he is already into actually tinkering with them. On the other hand if they are upgradeable he might have a blast. I suspect there will be a resale market in America for them in the initial phases of the program if it doesn't fill his needs. I really don't think they plan to distribute these machines in the areas that do not have power or internet. Orphanages are one environment that I can see them fitting well. I'm sure there are lots of concerns to overcome and yes some will undoubtably end up on the black market, but the fact that they are geared more for kids and durability may make them a little less desireable. Like all aid programs this has it's problems, but I don't think we should let that be an excuse to do nothing. I too have seen the poverty and pain in developing countries, I ran with some of these kids as a child in India, and one thing I do know is that children are children no matter where they live and what their circumstances, and they deserve the chance to fill the hunger for learning.
-------------------- “Did you ever stop to think, and forget to start again?” -Winnie the Pooh & A.A. Milne
Kelly Thorson Kel-T-Grafix 801 Main St. Holdfast, SK S0G 2H0 ktg@sasktel.net Posts: 5496 | From: Penzance, Saskatchewan | Registered: May 2002
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I agree Todd, the people that are starving to death need food first and foremost. But I don’t think these computers are directly geared towards young people that are wasting away into nothing. They need food the most. You are right. Indirectly, however, these machines may (hopefully) fall into the hands of young people in that area who have been fed… Children and young adults who can learn much needed knowledge and grow up to be leaders. These people will be best equipped to help there neighbors in the long run. Would it be better for them to learn information from all over the world, through these computers, and chose what paths they want there communities to take, or for them to never know anything outside their own suffering worlds other then what is taught from the tyrants in charge. Look at the photos on the website. These aren’t the children that are pencil thin, that you see in those infomercials. But, I guarantee they know other children that are, and you can be sure if shown a little compassion from other people around the world they will remember it for the rest of there lives and it will carry on to there children and there children’s children. Rather than poverty breeding poverty we can change it to knowledge breeding knowledge.
I also like Deri’s idea of setting them up in some school, or community center and protecting those places like they protect the hospitals in that area. Obviously the plan isn’t perfect but I do think it’s a great start.
-------------------- Joe Diaz Diaz Sign Art 628 W. Lincoln Ave. Pontiac, IL 61764 www.diazsignart.com Posts: 538 | From: Pontiac, IL | Registered: Aug 2005
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posted
Kelly- You are very right about "bare bones" but he has NO laptop and it would help him with more practical things and he won't be doing his homework on one of his unpredictable computers. 256kRAM is adequate. Besides, since the schools in the 3rd world are networking the laptops to their servers, my guy can figure out how to supplement the laptop's limitations, it seems to have pretty good connectability.
In the grand scheme of the whole world, I suspect these laptops may be as revolutionary as the Model T Ford in taking something that is extremely useful and making it extremely UNIVERSAL. Eventually, millions of kids should have wonderful memories of these laptops and doors they will have opened.
Great minds are involved in this and we're barely beginning to see the beginning of it. I wonder what will happen when/if Bill Gates wants to get in on the action. He says he wants to help Africa with his billions. He might not care for linux instead of one of his own operating systems...
-------------------- Frank Smith Frank Smith Signs Albany, NY www.franksmithsigns.com Posts: 807 | From: Albany, NY USA | Registered: Nov 1998
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I don't know were you get this Anti-Amerciana from? That quote was directed to Deri and she lives in Canada. but I digress.
As Frank stated this will be a potential age to the other side of the earth.
Just like the time of the first Commordore,IBM,Apples were to us.
I have always given my old systems to people that don't have one,from Vic to Amigas, Atari to PC Towers Pentium 1 2 3, Monitors,Printers,Modems,Etc.
What am I going to do with them, when they have no more function in the work I do. This is a tool that some young person can use who cannot afford this, instead of letting it collecting dust.
There was only a small handfull of us 'Geeks using the Bullitin Board system in the past but the tecno has grown into a wealth of knowledge to produce CNC,CAD,Digital,Animation,Workable formulas in helping in Medical needs,Food production in the Agricultrial sectour,Etc.
It help us evolve so it may help them as well.
-------------------- Stephen Deveau RavenGraphics Insinx Digital Displays
Letting Your Imagination Run Wild! Posts: 4327 | From: Lower Sackville, Nova Scotia, Canada | Registered: Jan 2000
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Well as you're all feeling so generous how about sending my son a laptop (he's almost 2) and as the cheapest most basic laptops available in the UK start at around £350 (thats $700 US) there ain't no way he's getting one in his christmas stocking.
-------------------- Steve Broughton Alpha Grafix Signs Lowfields Road Benington, Boston Lincolnshire, England Posts: 315 | From: Boston, Lincolnshire, England | Registered: Aug 2001
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No David, the mayor does not need to intervene, people just need to remember how to respect each other and have a mature conversation about something. I like the idea of the laptop for kids. I assume computers is what these people do best, so that's where they have decided to help. Were they in the food or construction business, they'd probably do something along those lines.
posted
Sorry! Stephen your country is not the focus of a 'Wish list of Life' if it was then donate to your children and friends. I will say that the more you give to those in real need shall gain!
David Please don't go there as you have nothing to back that statement up with.
Your Words... Quote.. "Sorry Stephen", we don't get a feel good rush helping out people like you. Did the Mayor get his yet?.....
I really don't know! Did he? It doesn't matter were I give my money,to You! Just look around you!
-------------------- Stephen Deveau RavenGraphics Insinx Digital Displays
Letting Your Imagination Run Wild! Posts: 4327 | From: Lower Sackville, Nova Scotia, Canada | Registered: Jan 2000
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I usually don't get involved in these non sign related topics but just have to put my two cents in here.
Every 15 seconds there is a child somewhere in the world that dies of starvation or some gastro-intestional disease caused by the lack of water or poor quality water.
While we have been discussing the merits of food vs. computers over the past four days more than 11,000 children have died. Now, a computer may have made them smarter, but I doubt it would have kept them alive. I'm all for education and giving the children of the world an opportunity to better themselves, but first you have to have them alive so that they can learn.
-------------------- Chapman Sign Studio Temple, Texas chapmanstudio@sbcglobal.net Posts: 6306 | From: Temple, Texas, USA | Registered: Nov 1998
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posted
I don’t think anyone here is against the idea of sending aid in the form of food, water, medicine, and shelter. In fact that’s easy to do. It doesn’t cost an average guy like me much to help in that way. And it does help and we all should do it more. But this is a temporary fix. It doesn’t fix the long-term problems that these communities face. They need proper educations to help them improve their own lifestyles. Just having food and water given to you every once in a while isn’t as effective as knowing how to grow and hunt food, and properly clean your water. The point I’m trying to make, and I think others are too, is can it hurt to send these learning tools in addition to other aid? If a company that specializes in building computers wants help to send laptops as a form of aid that’s great too.
I also don’t think this post should be shut down. It wasn’t meant to be political in purpose and I still don’t think the topic is. I think topics like this should be discussed more often and as long as people remain civil it can.
-------------------- Joe Diaz Diaz Sign Art 628 W. Lincoln Ave. Pontiac, IL 61764 www.diazsignart.com Posts: 538 | From: Pontiac, IL | Registered: Aug 2005
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Thanks Ray... I think you stated my position more succinctly than I did....and in a nutshell, that's my point. I'm not 'anti-education', but It's hard to concentrate on an empty stomach, or while fighting some easily preventable illness
I remain very realistic (in my view) that a computer will do little to change these people's lives.
I'm just saying that the companies supplying the computers would have more impact by donating the cost of the computers in the form of food and water.
They might learn a few things on a computer, but it will be an exercise in futility without radical government change. The social, economic, agricultural, and geo-political hurdles - as well as many other influencing factors - are so enormous that countries around the world working in tandem for decades have been largely unsuccessful in effecting change.
The best thing a computer would do for these people is allow them to Mapquest a route out of their country and into Europe, Canada, or the USA.
Ok, I'm done (thank goodness, right? I do understand your hearts are in the right place on this though.
-------------------- Todd Gill Outside The Lines Potterville, MI Posts: 7792 | From: Potterville, MI | Registered: Dec 2001
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quote: I'm just saying that the companies supplying the computers would have more impact by donating the cost of the computers in the form of food and water.
Again the point is being missed. Those starving fly infested kids you see on TV are a very small minority. That happens in a very small segment of the 3rd world.
There are many places where there is enuf food adn incoem to support a better life. However, they do not have access to computers. That is where these machiens will make a difference.
Lets look at parts of Romania for example. Not rich but not so poor they cannot live. This country could use these machines easily.
-------------------- Leaper of Tall buildings.. If you find my posts divisive or otherwise snarky please ignore them. If you do not know how then PM me about it and I will demonstrate. Posts: 5274 | From: Im a nowhere man | Registered: Jul 2001
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posted
I understand your point Curtis. I just read on a United Nations website a statistic that 820 million people are undernourished...16,000 dying every day. I don't think that is a small segment of this globe.
My point is; given the enormous numbers of suffering, undernourished, starving, sick people in the world....doesn't it make simple sense to first put resources into sustaining life itself before sending out electronic gadgets?
Make it personal and ask yourself this: Let's say Curtis Hammond is starving to death, or at the least undernourished and consuming less calories than recommended to sustain rudimentary health.
Someone offers Curtis 4 months of decent meals or a laptop to surf the web and see how well other people in the USA are eating. Would you go for the food or the laptop?
Or let's say you are starving and learn that some computer company is sending laptops cheap to people that are surviving but poor. Wouldn't you say, "Why do those people, who while poor but at least eating reasonably well, get laptops donated to them while I sit here day after day starving to death, weak from hunger? I wish they'd buy me food instead of laptops for some other well-fed guy."
I'm saying that in the big picture, priorities are screwed up. And this could probably be said of us all. We stress out and fret over whether to get a new PT Cruiser or a HHR and the thought of getting either without a sunroof and chrome wheels leaves us in great dispair and feeling cheated.
Their may be more bias towards this program from people who are personally fascinated with computers....it's kind of human nature to extol the virtues of anything a person finds personally fullfilling; "This is cool - everyone should have one of these."
The big picture sort of gets lost. Ok...I'm really done philosophizing now.
The crowd goes wild!!
-------------------- Todd Gill Outside The Lines Potterville, MI Posts: 7792 | From: Potterville, MI | Registered: Dec 2001
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"Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day. Teach a man to fish and you feed him for a lifetime."
There's two distinct methods of thinking in that statement, both of which seem to be at the core of this topic and the arguments within.
There are third world countries where the immediate needs are to feed, cloth and provide services like clean water and basic health care. These are places where "giving them a fish" is the immediate concern and it saves lives, so there's no fault in that methodology. The need is immediate and so is the solution.
In just the last few days, we here have seen a similar situation with the wildfires in California. With nearly 1 million people having to evacuate their homes, the need for food, clothing, shelter, health services, etc is the priority. Throw in the additional efforts by the police and fire services needed and I think airlifting a bunch of laptops into the Qualcomm Staduim right now would chap a few asses. It's not critical.
There's where the difference is...
"Teach a man to fish..." You have to admit, when a starving child is handed food, they will know how to eat. When you hand them a bottle of water, they will drink. As mentioned, not all third world countries are suffering from disease and famine. Many are lacking in education and social services. The One Laptop Per Child program can be a great boon to these places as a learning tool and to connect these kids to the larger world around them.
I guess the real question is "what is needed". In the end, it's up to each of us to figure that out and do what we can. There's no right or wrong decision...just good intentions.
Rapid
-------------------- Ray Rheaume Rapidfire Design 543 Brushwood Road North Haverhill, NH 03774 rapidfiredesign@hotmail.com 603-787-6803
I like my paint shaken, not stirred. Posts: 5648 | From: North Haverhill, New Hampshire | Registered: Apr 2003
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I cannot agree with this one....you don't help the sick and starving by giving them a laptop to figure out how to build a generator. The components to build a generator would cost them two lifestimes of savings - which they don't have anyway.
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