Message-ID: <Pine.SOL.3.90.980711135232.18514D-100000@ns1> Date: Sat, 11 Jul 1998 14:40:49 -0800 From: CHRIS KWAN <mailto:h1kwan@NS1.UMCSD.UM.EDU.MY> Subject: Re: BAD EXPERIENCES etc.. To: mailto:DEVEL-L@AMERICAN.EDU
> > > there is a law of one price which we apply
> > > everywhere. Capital must earn the same
> > > expected rate accross borders.
> >
> > First time I hear of this 'one price' law. Is it a law in an academic
> > discipline, or in international legislation? Capital does not (and
> > SHOULD NOT) earn the same rate, even within the borders of one
> country.
> > Otherwise it would not move, the entire system would make no sense.
>
> Sorry this is an economics term. Capital always has one price. It is
> called the rate of interest.
l am not so sure here. l believe ideas and concepts to make the world a better place should not carry any price tag at all. Education should be freely available to all who wants it and where practicable. l give ideas freely to the Government of Malaysia here on how to manage things better..however the process of doing it may cost some money, but not the idea...a recognition will do fine for me. l believe this to be the underlying focus of the internet to share ideas at minimum cost as far as possible.
Frankly, let us be objective about this. NO developed country or organisation controlled by them is going to give you money, to even believe they will, is already playing into their hand. l am just being realistic about this, these organisations have their own agenda one which they call under AID or for the benefit of mankind or whatever. As consultants, the main goal is to provide objective solutions to problems and that is satisfying enough for me. The money if any is secondary. The only thing l can suggest is not to spend so much and save where you can for yourself.
l have seen many "solutions" provided by the numerous consultants and most of them are plainly text-book case. So if anyone is to be blame is oneself for not able to provide such solution at the beginning. My own personal experrience is to provide one for free and the later the same organisation hired a high price consultant to provide exactly the same one. It is frustration but again, that is life, little we can do to change it. My answer is to first to be less dependent on these external consultants, encourage our leaders to be more resourceful themselves, seek answers within them rather than for themselves only.
If you want to be a high priced consultant, go to study in a high priced school and get a developed country citizenship, then you have no problem.
If you want to be a recognised consultant, go to study in a high priced school, come back to your developing country and work for almost nothing.
If you just want to be a consultant, go to study in any school and then approached these developed countries AID organisations and make yourself known to them.
So far, the best contribution that l have seen is the one advocating for the use of LINUX and the sharing of information on the internet. l think that is a great idea. (hope the person who contributed can come back to me) l am currently working on a similar system where l am trying to convince users to opt for a low cost communication wireless device. l am trying to urge organisations such as banks to take these devices up and provide free time on their excess capacities for rural folks.
So let us keep our focus back to sharing of ideas to make this place a better world for all.
Chris Kwan
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