One Laptop Per Child--Repsonses

While I have my own personal views on the whole project that reign similar to those on the rest of our class blog, I went back to the original New York Times article to see what New York times readers had to say and what kinds of reactions they had to the article.

Reading through many of the resposnes on the article website I was surprised to find that there was a lot of disagreement and dissent with the program as a whole. Many responses pointed to the fact that we face technology problems at home and that directing our attention abroad will not help the domestic digital divide. Some posts went as far to say that we would be wasting our money and that supplying the country with these kinds of tools could put Americans at risk of these developing countries rising above us. However, there were many replies that this kind of charity was highly beneficial and the next step in connecting the developing countries on a global scale. One blogger made a point about how even though some people lack independent access to technology in the US, most communities offer some kinds of free access to technology that can be obtained with library cards. Many bloggers attacked other bloggers for shooting down the charitable ideas.

While both sides have stronghold arguements, I believe that the One Laptop Per Child is a great start, but not an end all be all. Of course, there are children and adults fighting for more basic needs and technology access but no matter what kinds of policies and services the country provides, there will always be exceptions. Despite the economic turmoil we face today, I think it is important now more than ever to direct resources to places that would not be able to attain these tools on their own. People also need to remember that this is only a stepping stone, a place to start, to begin to connect the world through technology. This whole concept ties into globalization and how our world, in order to keep up with each other, needs to stay connected through global Internet technologies. As we discussed in class, it is our best interest to help other countries keep up with us and one another as far as technology goes. Leveling the technological playing field,will allow countries to succeed together in a more successful global economy.