Despite my opposition to the One Laptop Per Child (OLPC) program, I hate to see a third world education relief program take another ding. Rather than repeating what the BBC article recently published about the OLPC loss of Intel as a big money partner I want to pose three questions (possibly rhetorical).
- Does cut throat capitalism have a place in world aid if it only prolongs the relief? (Intel is producing an inexpensive laptop called Classmate to undermine the OLPC's project.)
- Do third world countries really need laptops? If so, what research uncovered this fact?
- Organizations such as Unitus provide micro loans to help struggling societies get a leg up. For example, an Indian mother takes out a loan for $50 and is able to open a small business that not only provides money to pay back the loan, but enables her to send her child to a decent school. This in turn gives the child a fighting chance to expand their opportunity, thus improving their immediate environment. Additionally, payback for these loans is very high since they still respect money. Should we (western crazies) concentrate more on teaching people to fish rather than just giving them a fish?
OKAY SOMETHING THAT REALLY PISSED ME OFF...I checked ebay for this OLPC laptop. $300 for the laptop? This definitely sounds counter productive to their effort if we make this laptop the new iPOD (buying frenzy that jacks up the price amongst other things....).
I'll admit it, I want one and would pay $300 dollars for it. I just wish the extra $200 would go to back to OLPC.
DONE...stepping off my soap box.
1 comment:
i agree on all counts, number 2 is intriguing especially the part about providing the research. they may be right, but i think it is an obligation to provide it.
about the competition from intel, i suppose it was bound to happen. all popular ideas, especially in technology, create bandwagons and ultimately a price battle between the competitors. this may be a good thing, although the OLPC has been in development for 5+ years, with help from Yves Behar and Pentagram. i can tell you already intel's will look like shit in comparison, but it will be inexpensive.
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