Dr. Steve Eskow wrote: > > Taran, I wish you'd reconsider your "basic economics": for example, your >belief that $480 that stays in India to buy a computer is "better" than >buying one elsewhere for $300. That may not sit well with those in India or >Africa who have to buy a computer. Ghana, where I work, is richer than some >of its sub-Saharan neighbors: $400 US is what the average Ghanaian earns a >year, a year's earning not quite enough to buy your Simputer. > > If I reconsidered, Steve, I would be wrong. I spoke of economics on a national level; you're talking about personal budgets. The two do interact, and it's that interaction that is key. If more money stays in the country and isn't shipped out, the *value* of the wages earned by a Ghanian goes up.
Again, Simple Economics. >And I wish you'd reconsider conclusions like this one: > ><<If you've ever had to share one computer with 20 people, and it was your >only access point, I doubt you would be able to email as often. You >wouldn't have leisure time to read articles that *you* might find >interesting.>> > >I've had to share buses and trains with many people, and you're right: it's >not nearly as convenient as owning my own automobile. And I've had to get my >learning at public schools, not nearly as convenient as private tutoring. >And I've had to borrow books from a public library, not nearly convenient as >buying my own and owning them. > >And I've used computers at libraries and internet cafes, and you're right: >sharing a computer is not nearly as convenient as owning one. > >And I ask you to consider that your convenience argument is misleading, and >downright harmful. > > OK, Steve, don't believe me. But instead of using your personal computer for a week, stick it in a room where you share it 'first come first serve' with 20 people. A computer is not a *train* or *bus* , Steve. If you want to really make a case for such a thing with transportation, I'd suggest a single seater motorcycle. Try sharing *that* with 20 people. >If we insist on private automobiles, millions will be continue to be without >rapid transport, and we will continue to foul the environment. > >And if we insist on personal ownership of books, millions will not read, >even if we cut down enough trees for all those books. > >And if we insist on the personal computer, billions will not cross the >digital divide. > > :-) I'm sorry, I disagree. I think the way you consider the personal computer needs to be redefined; the personal computer is evolving right in front of us in handheld systems such as modern cellphones and PDAs. Wearable computing is pretty close to being a reality for more people. Don't blink, you might miss something. >If the advantages of the Simputer at $480 are so much greater than that of >the desktop at less, let's urge small churches or cafes or schools in the >poorer nations to buy one or two or three and share them, until such time as >the folks in the community can afford to buy their own. > > They are designed for that. If you read about the Simputer, which I hope you have, you would see that. SmartCard readers are in the interface... ><<In the focus on the reduction of cost, I sincerely believe by these >communications that the increase in quality of life as the *value* has >been lost.>> > >You may have it backwards, Taran. Those who insist on personal automobiles >and personal libraries and personal computers may be the ones who are >slowing down the erasure of the many divides between the haves and the >have-nots. > > Again, Steve - try sharing a motorcycle with 20 people at the same time. Your discussion hasn't weakened my perspective, it has in fact strengthened it. What you are asking for are buses, so that all individuals have to go according to what someone else deems best. Which is exactly what we have now. -- Taran Rampersad Presently in: Panama City, Panama [EMAIL PROTECTED] http://www.knowprose.com http://www.easylum.net http://www.digitaldivide.net/profile/Taran "Criticize by creating." — Michelangelo _______________________________________________ DIGITALDIVIDE mailing list [email protected] http://mailman.edc.org/mailman/listinfo/digitaldivide To unsubscribe, send a message to [EMAIL PROTECTED] with the word UNSUBSCRIBE in the body of the message.
