Playing with the OLPC

Playing with the OLPC

Posted Dec 28, 2006 20:52 UTC (Thu) by hozelda (guest, #19341)
In reply to: Playing with the OLPC by pmolina
Parent article: Playing with the OLPC

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.

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