I grew up using toasters and can use any brand today. Yet I have no clue on their inner workings. A toaster is a mysterious magical "black box" to me and thats ok. I don't know what has to do with the merits of power point however.
Um gee lets see. Could it be that children in developed countries already have great access to the latest technology and therefore do not need a low cost version?
I would accuse you of being selfish if it wasn't so clear that you are just horribly misinformed (and dare I say ignorant).
Give one of these laptop to every TEACHER in a given country. People often forget that the teachers are just as poor as the children. If a teacher can have access to up to date curriculum that would be awesome in itself. The possiblities for teachers to swap ideas and support one another is also endless. The quality of teaching could increase immeasurably.
Look at the impact CELLPHONES are having in developing countries. Its exploding everywhere, SE Asia, Africa. Cellphones are changing millions of lives in significant and simple ways,
They allow people to communicate, simple but for most who earn a $1 a day or less this was previously impossible.
They are spurring innovation in Banking, micro-finance, and enabling new kinds of transactions
Text messaging, SMS, is still the cheapest way to get a message across - be it a pricing report for harvested crops, or a simple message to a family member in an isolated village.
True that developing countries are plagued by tyrants, corrupted governments, and other nasty people, but when people are given the power to communicate they can mobilize and share information, get organized, and that is real power.
Access to the internet is the obvious next step. "FREEDOM" just doesn't materialize, people have to fight for it, and in order to do that they need the tools. Even if there is one OLPC laptop in a village, that single laptop will open MANY doors to many people who previously had no opportunity or voice.
But I just rented the first season of ROME...wow. I was missing out on something awesome.
This show has it all, story arches, developed and complex characters, great sets and special effects for Rome & battle scenes.
I really don't care how historically accurate the show is, it has a certain pulse and it works.
Most importantly, like all HBO productions it has a kick ass PLOT.
Granted, the requisite T&A per episode is always welcome, as is the (suitably) somewhat gratuitous violence on occasion (sword through the head anyone?).:)
Assemble a breast cancer ribbon, AIDs pin, a Remembrance day poppy, Canada pin, and a Nano-tech coin, it forms a miniature thermonuclear device of ultimate destruction.
The wages are high. You can get up to or beyond USD$1000/day.
Of course, you need the skills, and the connections.
You also need balls, since Iraq IS a war-zone you are essentially risking your life every minute you are there.
I know of one contractor who was kidnapped in Iraq and subsequently released once his company payed an undisclosed 'ransom', although that was more than a year ago. Lets just say after than incident they beefed up their security just a tad. Kidnapping is a big money maker in Iraq/Afghanistan. Of course, that entails you surviving an attack long enough to be kidnapped in the first place! Most likely death would be as quick as hitting an IED and its GAME OVER.
Then there are others who are smart. They go over there and stay in their armored compounds (as opposed to foolishy driving around in the open) and are protected by security. They do their assignments, stay for a few months, and make a nice chunk of change at the end.
Truthfully, many contractors are getting rich there but the majority of them are not accomplishing much of substance. All of it is dictated by the whims of the Americans. The Iraqis have little real input. Most of it is completely unsustainable. As the linked article states, even these Internet gurus are under no illusion that what the US is doing is only aggravating the civil war.
So essentially it's all blood money. Frankly, if there is a choice between making the 'easy' money or keeping your integrity intact by not 'selling your soul' to the man for a quick buck, I would say it's not worth it in the long run. I mean, you still have to live with yourself years from now. Right?
PS. There are good jobs in Afghanistan and its not nearly as dangerous as Iraq...though that is now changing. A few years ago suicide bombings in Kabul were a rare occurrence, but things seem to be hotting up there more every day - unfortunately.
Hardliners, hawks, extremists, neocons in the US and Israel are the only one's who are interested in attacking Iran.
[p]
Maintaining a state of constant never-ending 'war on terror' benefits these individuals in obvious ways.
[p]
Now, if the US and Israel were all of a sudden forced to negotiate on a more level playing field, calmer minds may yet prevail.
[p]
Nuclear weapons have done wonders for Pakistan and India negotiations, EVEN taking into account mutual and frequent terror attacks against one another... atleast they haven't had another war.
[p]
Is this a troll? No, its the pathetic reality of our current world we live in. A world where you only count if you can 'back up your words with nuclear weapons'.
Humans thrive on metaphor and symbols. In fact we are the only species on the planet that can create, manipulate, fuse, and synthesize in everything we do. Perhaps it is true that some metaphors are more useful than others, but metaphors more often than not help people understand. The proof? Look at the continued success of poems; Are these essential to human development? Many would argue yes.
Humans are a fickle species. We demand to be entertained, humored, amused. Perhaps its our irrational emotions taking control of our better judgment, but then again if we didn't have these characteristics, we would be as interesting as snails...and probably not nearly as successful.
But all this amounts to is colonialism. The US props up regimes they find desirable and crush those they don't. However, with global warming on the march, increase public awareness of the environment, and new found power of Russia, could the US have miscalculated their long term political position? I think Iraq is showing the world the limits of so called US hegemony, wouldn't you say?
Lets also not forget that Iraq oil exports has YET to reach pre-invasion levels. I think that says a lot.
Slashdot Mirror
It's so good its worth it.
- accidently shooting your friend in the back
- blowing up children by mistake
- shooting at reporters as they wave the white flag of war... ect
And if you get blown up by an IED, just hit replay and you're good to go.
Borg nano-probes?
I grew up using toasters and can use any brand today. Yet I have no clue on their inner workings. A toaster is a mysterious magical "black box" to me and thats ok. I don't know what has to do with the merits of power point however.
I would accuse you of being selfish if it wasn't so clear that you are just horribly misinformed (and dare I say ignorant).
Carry on.
Give one of these laptop to every TEACHER in a given country. People often forget that the teachers are just as poor as the children. If a teacher can have access to up to date curriculum that would be awesome in itself. The possiblities for teachers to swap ideas and support one another is also endless. The quality of teaching could increase immeasurably.
They allow people to communicate, simple but for most who earn a $1 a day or less this was previously impossible.
They are spurring innovation in Banking, micro-finance, and enabling new kinds of transactions
Text messaging, SMS, is still the cheapest way to get a message across - be it a pricing report for harvested crops, or a simple message to a family member in an isolated village.
True that developing countries are plagued by tyrants, corrupted governments, and other nasty people, but when people are given the power to communicate they can mobilize and share information, get organized, and that is real power.
Access to the internet is the obvious next step. "FREEDOM" just doesn't materialize, people have to fight for it, and in order to do that they need the tools. Even if there is one OLPC laptop in a village, that single laptop will open MANY doors to many people who previously had no opportunity or voice.
This show has it all, story arches, developed and complex characters, great sets and special effects for Rome & battle scenes.
I really don't care how historically accurate the show is, it has a certain pulse and it works.
Most importantly, like all HBO productions it has a kick ass PLOT.
Granted, the requisite T&A per episode is always welcome, as is the (suitably) somewhat gratuitous violence on occasion (sword through the head anyone?). :)
Replicants are like any other machine - they're either a benefit or a hazard. If they're a benefit, it's not my problem. ;)
You now have an improvised explosive device to act as a diversion and allow you to jump out window!
5...4...3...2...
Assemble a breast cancer ribbon, AIDs pin, a Remembrance day poppy, Canada pin, and a Nano-tech coin, it forms a miniature thermonuclear device of ultimate destruction.
1. Celine Dion
2. Jim Carrey
3. nano-tech coins...
4. ????
5. Profit? ...No my friend. WORLD DOMINATION! MWahahahah!!
In fact I know a B5 scholar who wrote a dissertation on exactly what you wrote last week.
and get some mind-pepperspray.
Hello! My name is Marry-Beth, how may I help you!? :)
Of course, you need the skills, and the connections.
You also need balls, since Iraq IS a war-zone you are essentially risking your life every minute you are there.
I know of one contractor who was kidnapped in Iraq and subsequently released once his company payed an undisclosed 'ransom', although that was more than a year ago. Lets just say after than incident they beefed up their security just a tad. Kidnapping is a big money maker in Iraq/Afghanistan. Of course, that entails you surviving an attack long enough to be kidnapped in the first place! Most likely death would be as quick as hitting an IED and its GAME OVER.
Then there are others who are smart. They go over there and stay in their armored compounds (as opposed to foolishy driving around in the open) and are protected by security. They do their assignments, stay for a few months, and make a nice chunk of change at the end.
Truthfully, many contractors are getting rich there but the majority of them are not accomplishing much of substance. All of it is dictated by the whims of the Americans. The Iraqis have little real input. Most of it is completely unsustainable. As the linked article states, even these Internet gurus are under no illusion that what the US is doing is only aggravating the civil war.
So essentially it's all blood money. Frankly, if there is a choice between making the 'easy' money or keeping your integrity intact by not 'selling your soul' to the man for a quick buck, I would say it's not worth it in the long run. I mean, you still have to live with yourself years from now. Right?
PS. There are good jobs in Afghanistan and its not nearly as dangerous as Iraq...though that is now changing. A few years ago suicide bombings in Kabul were a rare occurrence, but things seem to be hotting up there more every day - unfortunately.
God bless the American tax payer.
Any others?
I need to become a superhero if I am to have a chance in hell with Sue Storm...uh I mean Jessica Alba.
Preferably I would like super strength and the power to know women's thoughts -- could come in handy! ;)
Hardliners, hawks, extremists, neocons in the US and Israel are the only one's who are interested in attacking Iran. [p] Maintaining a state of constant never-ending 'war on terror' benefits these individuals in obvious ways. [p] Now, if the US and Israel were all of a sudden forced to negotiate on a more level playing field, calmer minds may yet prevail. [p] Nuclear weapons have done wonders for Pakistan and India negotiations, EVEN taking into account mutual and frequent terror attacks against one another... atleast they haven't had another war. [p] Is this a troll? No, its the pathetic reality of our current world we live in. A world where you only count if you can 'back up your words with nuclear weapons'.
and uh.... conair.. KIDDING!
And their cookings skills are none too developed either.
Humans are a fickle species. We demand to be entertained, humored, amused. Perhaps its our irrational emotions taking control of our better judgment, but then again if we didn't have these characteristics, we would be as interesting as snails...and probably not nearly as successful.
On the contrary it sounds like the female has herself a sex slave. ;)
Lets also not forget that Iraq oil exports has YET to reach pre-invasion levels. I think that says a lot.