At 5:48 AM -0500 24/01/2002, Margaret Grieco wrote: > Views reflect experiences: knowledge is developed and retained on the > basis of its relevance to our condition. > > Perry Morrison's view on the patterning of flows along the > information... flows. I myself am very concerned to ensure that Africa > is not simply a recipient of the messages of others but gains the space > and resources to transmit her own experience and interact with the > experience of other places. The potential of the new technologies to > enable the direct
At 2:12 PM -0800 24/01/2002, Alan Levy wrote: > As noted in another email I sent, a network is ubiquitous in nature, > making a connection only an ID. As explained in my book, a low-cost > access device required to work both with user and access device > authentication and verification (an ID for both) eliminates potential > for theft when borrowed. And a medium bandwidth network provides a very > low cost applications platform. Both Margaret and Alan make extremely thoughtful points here. However, when advocating networks that willy-nilly need to operate better and faster on the edge, don't forget that a reality in marginal and disadvantaged societies is the potential for abuse (of privacy, of control) by powerful interests. The expression of such potential is usually couched in seductive terms such as 'protection' of marginal elements (even from device theft, as Alan here rightly points out one possible danger to be avoided) and so on, but what it quickly boils down to in practice is further oppression and suppression of an individual's innate right to communicate freely. This is how power managers continue to exercise control while new technology is introduced, and advocates need to be constantly aware of the downside risks, if the purpose of promoting new technology is to result in net uplift, both in economic and social terms. Anyway, given the marginal economies within which such networks are sought to be proliferated (and I also subscribe to the view that it is the network that will leverage local society and economy, so don't wait till the local social group can 'afford' it), edge devices need to be socially owned, one device for many. I think that it will be some time before we see any sensible devices costing as little as a simple radio, and till then, one device for many is the answer. To address issues of privacy, something like smart cards and user passwords may seem necessary, but I genuinely dislike its possible fallout. I think this point needs addressing. -- Vickram ------------ ***GKD is an initiative of the Global Knowledge Partnership*** To post a message, send it to: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To subscribe or unsubscribe, send a message to: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>. In the 1st line of the message type: subscribe gkd OR type: unsubscribe gkd Archives of previous GKD messages can be found at: <http://www.globalknowledge.org>
