I think that the point Errol is trying to make, and certainly the point I am trying to make, is that it's a catch-22. Education is needed to run the solar energy, or other renewable energy sources. Consider mechanical means of generating electricity require knowledge of Tesla's inventions - generators/motors, which requires a solid grounding in electrical theory, which involves all sorts of education. But to study, one needs light, and to study, one needs to eat.
Small steps. This is where the DIY Solar projects get my support completely because they do encourage literacy by making literacy something with a tangible benefit. A starving person may not see a reason to learn how to read. A project which can help them make money to eat *and* provide electricity is really a great thing. Solar, especially, wins in this regard because basically a solar panel simply produces electricity. Electromechanical means require a bit more understanding of electricity and magnetic fields; induced currents and so on. Education, without a practical use, isn't useful. Alfred Bork wrote: >Power is not necessary. Solar power is getting better and better. And >mechanical means can generate power. > >Learning material for all forms of literacy is the best starting point, as I >said. > > >Alfred Bork > >University of California, Irvine > >-----Original Message----- >From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] >[mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of ehewitt >Sent: Tuesday, October 11, 2005 8:20 AM >To: The Digital Divide Network discussion group >Subject: RE: [DDN] A Digital Divide review: what to start with > >What about reliable, affordable and accessible power? >Errol Hewitt >At 17:04 10/10/2005 -0700, you wrote: > > > >>I would think that the first priority should be literacy, for everyone. In >>the US we still have a high illiteracy rate for adults. Access to current >>technology and information is of no use if the user cannot read. >> >>Mathematical literacy is also high on my list of priorities. >> >> >> >>Alfred Bork >> >> > >_______________________________________________ >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. > > > > -- Taran Rampersad Presently in: San Fernando, Trinidad [EMAIL PROTECTED] http://www.knowprose.com http://www.easylum.net http://www.digitaldivide.net/profile/Taran Coming on January 1st, 2006: http://www.OpenDepth.com "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.
