Message-ID: <Pine.OSF.3.91.951214094032.9842B-100000@alcor.concordia.ca> Date: Thu, 14 Dec 1995 10:17:43 -0500 From: "Wendy B. Lowe" <mailto:wendlon@ALCOR.CONCORDIA.CA> Subject: Re: (IT vs. Poverty) = (Let Them Eat "IT") ?! To: Multiple recipients of list DEVEL-L <mailto:DEVEL-L@AMERICAN.EDU>
On Thu, 14 Dec 1995, Michael Patterson wrote:> THE ISSUE IS NOT COMPUTERS. IT IS COMMUNICATION OF IDEAS. THIS WAS
> THE BASIS OF THE RENAISSANCE, WHICH STARTED IN MUSLIM SPAIN, BY
> WAY. ANYTHING THAT COMMUNICATES IDEAS BETTER WILL HAVE
> FAR-REACHING EFFECTS.
I completely agree, but is it necessary to shout? In fact I would say that the issue is the _exchange_ of ideas in order to have true communication. I would also refer to the comment of Maarten van der Heijden who brings up the question of language getting in the way. Until we live in a distant scientific "paradise" where thought waves are transmitted we shall be limited by crosslingual barriers (and are not those "waves" shaped by the language through which we access them?).
In such conditions we have to be extremely tolerant of linguistic mistakes. We also have to strive to establish mutual "idea-blocks" (I have still not mastered the term "paradigm") which takes a lot of time and requires an initial position of mutual respect and belief that the communicating community is seeking to go in the same direction. Unfortunately, just as identities can be faked on the NET so can philosophies. I am not convinced that I have the same preoccupations as the local Peuhl aristocrat who controls, with others in the same position, the lives of rural villagers descended from former slaves! BUT if I want to exchange ideas with him I must start by respecting his views and the validity of those views for him/her.
As you will see, I am still learning the subtilties of cyber-comm. Dealing with unfettered diversity is challenging and requires a new set of communication skills for me ... how much more so for the unconnected?
As for nutrition info., as an overweight development professional I have always believed that quantity preoccupied people before quality. I know more than the average North American about nutrition and still I problems with eating nutritionally correct foods ... and I have a computer "to help me". Perhaps computers will allow people to believe more in themselves simply by giving them another skill under their belt ... Qu'ils mangent les brioches! is not wrong if they are already eating bread. And maybe the taste of "brioches" will encourage the people to strive for more.
I'm off for coffe and a snack
Graham Lowe