Message-ID: <960331130343_459126497@emout07.mail.aol.com> Date: Sun, 31 Mar 1996 13:03:44 -0500 From: Guy-Maurille Massamba <mailto:GuyRille@AOL.COM> Subject: Re: Traditional I.T. Before the Internet ?! To: Multiple recipients of list DEVEL-L <mailto:DEVEL-L@AMERICAN.EDU>
In a message dated 96-03-31 03:56:22 EST, El. wrote:>
>>Some people fear that the West/North will exploit the competitive
>>advantage of information. Therefore, the Internet may cause history to
>>repeat itself.
>
>Besides the fact that this Politically Correct statement is bogus, the
>alternative
>is to fall even further behind.
I agree with El. I will add that fear is not a good motivation for not doing things. Developing means of communication with the rest of the world implies some risks which can be assessed through the consideration of the advantages and disadvantages of using such means of communications.
For the purpose of a comparative analysis, it might be interesting to see what other developing societies (outside Africa) are gaining from their communication with the rest of the world through the internet and how these societies have been transformed positively or negatively. This could help perceive the interests and the inconveniences involved for African societies in using the internet. Of course, I am not assuming the possibility of generalizing experiences which are determined by particular histories. As I said, it is a comparative perspective.
Moreover, the use of the internet will not necessarily force people to abandon their traditional I.T. Perhaps is it more important to think of it in terms of the long-term perspectives that world communication involves for individual societies.
Guy