Yes we are still in supposition territory. It would thus be more appropriate to
openly admit it rather than endorse commercial slogans.
And I am certainly not suggesting to neglect the potential of ICT, or the
Internet in particular, in supporting development policies. Nor to wait and see
till one is sure of what exactly is being done. There is however a difference
between a push by the owners of the technology and a pull by communities
who want to try and use it for the purpose they have decided. What is more
controversial is the Internet as a development policy per se.
Monday, July 16, 2001, 4:15:05 PM, John Lawrence wrote:
snip
JL> Well, we are all in supposition (speculative) territory her, but Michel,
JL> can I ask, demonstrated to whom? and by what means? ....by 'research'
JL> findings resulting from studies usually designed, conducted, published
JL> and interpreted by those on the upside of the divide?
Demonstrate to all stakeholders, especially those groups which are supposed
to be the prime beneficiaries of the positive outcomes.
Demonstrated by whom is even more important. I'd say, again, by the
beneficiaries themselves and with their own criteria.
JL> What if we reverse your proposition.... what is the evidence of
JL> negative effects of the Internet....? where has access to Internet hurt
JL> net (plus-minus) development, of the individual, or the society?
It may be too early to show evidence of actual damages overriding benefits in
particular areas. But clearly many fears about such issues as cultural
identity, privacy, security, play an important role in policy formulation
as well
as in people's perceptions.
But let's say that apparently child pornography has developed faster than the
actual, in the field not only on the Net, protection of children against all
sorts of abuse, including slave labour.
JL> Then I would compare that answer to the net (plus-minus) negatives, or
JL> costs of neglecting the Internet in development policy considerations,
JL> which I would suggest are far greater than any negatives accruing to
JL> equitable Internet access, and free informational and knowledge choice
JL> (allowing for language democracy, reasonable regulation/protection, e.g.
JL> for children, the disabled etc)...
Again to early for having evidence. Except that it seems quite obvious that the
Internet alone does not make any more difference than TV, rural radio,
mechanization of agriculture, industrialization, functional literacy or any
other development mantra as you call them.
Free informational and knowledge choice will be a reality when all cultural
groups will have been able to build their own Internet resources. For the
moment it is more like a choice between two washing powders which are
produced by the same company anyway.
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