Taran Rampersad wrote:
After the Axial Age, everyone became an expert.
--------------------------------------------------------------
No one since history began has ever believed this
In fact, just the opposite- there are wonderful tales from all parts of
the world where persons were asked to solve riddles or slay dragons to
win riches in wealth and love. The consequences of failure were usually
death or some lesser, but equally frightening fate, like being eaten by
a dragon.
Unfortunately, today there is some sort of sense that the "common
individual", the person on the street, so to speak, should have just as
much voice as the "expert". Even Socrates did not bellieve this
rhetoric in practice and Plato definitely didn't (Axial Age
individuals). And the person on the street certainly does not expect to
have his/her neighbor do heart surgery. Certainly Buddha and Mohamid
would not have achieved their stature if this "equality" Myth were accepted.
Acts of wisdom have consequences, except for academic and ICT
consultants. In the case of academics, they get a paper and advance
whether the project succeeds or fails- For ICT consultants, a failure
can be turned into another contract. The consequences of actions do not
carry commensurate penalties for failure, or rewards for success. On the
other hand, private sector participants in the world of ICT's face real
consequences for their entrepreneurial decisions.
ICT's are not the magical key or keystone which, when slipped into
place, open and stabilize the "Star Gate" or portal to "Eden" or, at
least to some world which is better than a disease ridden village with
no water, sewage or electricity.
Is there salvation for an ICT-for-Development apostate?
thoughts?
tom abeles
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