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Tuesday, 26 December 2006 14:42 |
 While many would say that the Internet is an empowering force of democratization, critics have often countered that its accessibility is limited to those who can afford it.
Now, a non-profit organization called One Laptop Per Child is seeking to close the gap between the digital haves and have-nots by developing, manufacturing and distributing laptop computers to children in the developing world ÇƒÓ at a production cost of only $150.
The
computers incorporate a number of innovative features, including
low-cost screens that use a fraction of the power of conventional
screens, a rugged design meant to withstand dirt and other
environmental challenges and the ability to generate power with a foot
pedal or a hand-pulled device.
Furthermore, the
machines operate in Linux, an open-source operating system, thus
avoiding costly marketing fees to Microsoft or other software
developers.
Significantly,
the computers can be connected to each other by wireless Bluetooth
technology, allowing easy communication and access to the Internet
without requiring costly infrastructure such as DSL lines.
We commend this effort at providing technology to the worldës poorest children ÇƒÓ but with a few reservations.
One concern is
the impact that such technology could have on the education of the
children in question. While they will certainly gain access to a wealth
of knowledge they would never have otherwise had, one unintended
consequence could be a decreased focus on information that is relevant
to their regional cultures.
As children are
exposed to the ways of life of people in more urban, developed parts of
the world, the folk-knowedge of their own societies may be neglected or
even eventually lost.
This pattern has been observed in many places, including rural America, as modernization has displaced traditional ways of life.
Nonetheless, the OLPC program should be commended for its efforts to democratize technology.
As the world
becomes increasingly interconnected through technology, it is important
that those with the least resources do not get left behind.
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