Playing with the OLPC [LWN.net]

Playing with the OLPC

Posted Dec 28, 2006 12:10 UTC (Thu) by pmolina (guest, #42450)
Parent article: Playing with the OLPC

i have had mixed feelings about this OLPC project.... and no.. im not one who says they need food and water before a laptop.... i do agree that we in "first world countries" tend to THINK we know what is best for third world countries.. and that kind of thinking is VERY arrogant..

My problem with this project is that we seem to want to make third world countries as dependant on technology as we are or a better statement would be, we want to enslave third world countries just like we are enslaved by technology.. ...

think about this for a second.. in todays schools or home here in the US, what child or how many children or even adults know how to use a card catalog at the library.. what child or adult knows how to use a standard typewriter WITHOUT spell checker... take away their computer and ask them to pick up a pen/pencil and a piece of paper and write a letter and mail it and see what happens... im all for education.. but just how we educate our children aswell as third world countries is where i have a problem.. i can see the OLPC as a very good "tool"... but im afraid that, as in the US, it will become a NECCESSATY rather than just another tool..

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Playing with the OLPC

Posted Dec 28, 2006 20:52 UTC (Thu) by hozelda (guest, #19341) [Link]

To everything great that you say, I ask you, would you give up complete access to computers along with everyone arround you so that yourself and everyone else will not be so weak and dependent?

A computer is an incredible tool. Obviously some will use it wrongly or not use it much, but it makes little sense to deny the masses access to them so they don't "hurt" themselves. Let the person decide. These aren't babies; these are kids! Hungry kids!!!

And for every skill lost to computers there is one gained. Maybe it isn't that crucial to know how to use a library card catalog until/unless you need to use one or unless you personally find value in that.

Having choices is good. Having the option to choose is good. Computers have tremendous potential.

In fact, if anything, I'd think that some in first world countries might accually just be afraid that high tech jobs will flow out of their countries (ie, not genuine concern for well-being of kids in olpc projects, but fear and desire to keep those kids dumm). However, first world countries can use a little competition to trim some of their fat. Maybe we will then start to take computers and education and card catalogs more seriously here.

Then again, people are people. In the end, competition will only increase so much, but there will be improvements in standard of living for everyone!

.. and traveling will be more fun (argueably) and less dangerous.

Playing with the OLPC

Posted Dec 29, 2006 3:28 UTC (Fri) by bronson (subscriber, #4806) [Link]

I agree that technology is the surest way straight into the productivity paradox. I just wish you had chosen better examples...

The Dewey Decimal System: dead, and thank goodness. It's well designed, yes, but totally arbitrary. Why teach it to new generations?

The Typewriter: also dead. Extremely wasteful in materials, time, and energy. I don't think anybody misses fingers covered in ribbon ink, having to retype an entire page just to fix a typo (and probably inserting two more), or those awful correction pads.

Pens/Pencils: My 6 year old niece has mastered this technology just fine. No need to worry.

Finally, I'm a little confused that you worry about kids not learning proper communication tools while you yourself ignore proper punctuation, grammar and style.

So, I agree... I'm worried that a virus will brick 50% of the OLPCs. Or that the black market will destroy their ubiquity (why do this if most of its owners sell them for one year of rice?). Or a bad cap in high humidity will force a mass recall after six months. This utter lack of biodiversity is downright scary and there are a thousand scenarios where the maintenance costs will be far higher than any benefit seen by students. We'll see.

But if it pushes typewriters or the Dewey Decimal System permanently into history, I shall praise the OLPC to the end of my days.