Message-ID: <v01510100ace4bde0cb75@[205.246.26.14]> Date: Fri, 1 Dec 1995 09:24:55 -0500 From: Frank Baitman <mailto:fbaitman@MARS.SUPERLINK.NET> Subject: Re: Africa and Internet Revisted To: Multiple recipients of list DEVEL-L <mailto:DEVEL-L@AMERICAN.EDU>
>>While each of you makes good points, I think that we're talking from
>>different disciplines.
>>
>>Yes, life in Africa is not like Kansas. And yes subsistence is very much on
>>a poor person's mind.
>>from the *development* discipline, it's certainly difficult to see how
>>kiosks are more valuable than rice. But the point about communications
>>generally, and the Internet specifically, is that it is an inexpensive new
>>dimension to international integration.
>
>It is not inexpensive in Africa.
>
>As for international integration, I think the only people actually being
>integrated are the elites - the gov't officials, academia, and NGOs. If
>internet access was available to the average student in country schools -
>now that would be real integration, it seems to me. This isn't likely to
>happen until the cost of equipment and access charges decrease very
>significantly. Will, commitment, and follow through are also absolutely
>essential. Not likely to happen, at least in the next few decades.
>
>>While a poor country in Africa may have different priorities than, say,
>>Canada, that country must still be integrated into global economics at some
>>level. Trade, agricultute, *development*, etc. exists whether or not a
>>country and its people are impoverished.
>
>True. I see the internet in Africa as benefitting only the elites, however,
>by and large. Any evidence to the contrary - send it my way.
>
>>The Internet provides a meaningful way for more people to become involved
>>in the world around them. Whether it is a small enterprise in Ghana that
>>finds a buyer in Germany, or a farmer that works with an agricultural
>>extension service in Indiana, the Internet offers new opportunities.
>
>Again - this access is very very expensive. It's for the privileged. At
>least currently.
>
> The
>>world is *progressing* and developing nations are often left behind. They
>>often become more and more out of touch because they cannot afford to keep
>>pace with expensive technological change. But a developing nation -- and
>>its people -- have every bit as much right to benefit from this technology
>>as do Western nations.
>
>I said who I think will benefit. Not the average citizen. But then,
>perhaps in the long run, they may.
>
> Most importantly, it's one that can be implemented
>>at a reasonable cost!
>
>As we define "reasonable cost".
Valerie,
You're not mistaken about who will benefit today. It will be the elite. Those who have some control, whether through power or money. But let's think historically here: how many innovations have occurred without the elite first benefitting? In communications, who had telephones and televisions first? But in developing nations throughout the world these forms of communications are quite widespread today.
Another attribute of the Internet is that it also offers a new level of communications not controlled by the elite. Remember how the fax machine played such a significant role in Tianenman Square?
The thing about the Internet that excites me with respect to developing nations is that it is *relatively* inexpensive and two-way. It's downright cheap compared with telephone service. And I have to admit how surprised I am when in Africa or Asia (albeit in cities) just how many people line up to use the International call boxes.
You're right that it's not going to happen overnight, and that it will be a challenge. But imagine what it will be like when there are at least regional access points to the internet in 5 years. The Internet offers a level above that in terms of connections with the outside world.
There really is room for hope here.
Frank Baitman Cranbury, New Jersey