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David Pogue Reviews the XO Laptop
Maximum Prophet writes "David Pogue, technology reviewer at the New York Times, has taken a first-hand look at the XO laptop, also known as the 'One Laptop Per Child' project, or the '$100 Laptop'. His reaction is very favorable, having tested it out via several criteria. And ultimately, he writes, the laptop is about more than just technology for the people. 'The biggest obstacle to the XO's success is not technology -- it's already a wonder -- but fear. Overseas ministers of education fear that changing the status quo might risk their jobs. Big-name computer makers fear that the XO will steal away an overlooked two-billion-person market. Critics fear that the poorest countries need food, malaria protection and clean water far more than computers. But the XO deserves to overcome those fears. Despite all the obstacles and doubters, O.L.P.C. has come up with a laptop that's tough and simple enough for hot, humid, dusty locales; cool enough to keep young minds engaged, both at school and at home; and open, flexible and collaborative enough to support a million different teaching and learning styles.'"
"Critics fear that the poorest countries need food, malaria protection and clean water far more than computers. But the XO deserves to overcome those fears."
What a great argument. Of course people in poor countries don't need medicine, clean water and food. They have other priorities, such as laptop computer. And of course they'll just work it all out with these new wonders of technology! It's like the iPhone, only for barefoot, illiterate, sick, starving people.
Maybe Pogue should care to see first-hand what misery is really like before making these outrageous statements from the comfort of his suburban home.