Comments on: OLPC in the Senate: feedback from today’s event http://blog.laptop.org/2009/09/16/olpc-in-the-senate/ Stories from around the world Thu, 09 Feb 2012 20:11:40 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: picoVerse http://blog.laptop.org/2009/09/16/olpc-in-the-senate/comment-page-1/#comment-6069 picoVerse Sat, 12 Dec 2009 07:07:28 +0000 http://blog.laptop.org/?p=901#comment-6069 trebenaid, the OLPC does not need electrical sockets or roads or power lines or any of that other junk. It runs on solar or muscle. Wake up sir. trebenaid, the OLPC does not need electrical sockets or roads or power lines or any of that other junk. It runs on solar or muscle. Wake up sir.

]]> By: laptop – Dell Studio 17 Laptop http://blog.laptop.org/2009/09/16/olpc-in-the-senate/comment-page-1/#comment-5757 laptop – Dell Studio 17 Laptop Sun, 01 Nov 2009 10:16:50 +0000 http://blog.laptop.org/?p=901#comment-5757 [...] OLPC in the Senate: feedback from today’s event | One Laptop per Child [...] [...] OLPC in the Senate: feedback from today’s event | One Laptop per Child [...]

]]> By: Davis http://blog.laptop.org/2009/09/16/olpc-in-the-senate/comment-page-1/#comment-5693 Davis Tue, 13 Oct 2009 18:10:12 +0000 http://blog.laptop.org/?p=901#comment-5693 For those somewhat unfamiliar with OLPC it should be pointed out that they are designed specifically to not require western style infrastructure including electrical power. They can can be recharged using a variety of manual processes. There is no doubt that there are many areas where development aid is required in Afghanistan. But if you really want to change the way that the people there think about the west and about the Taliban then they do need access to information - all kinds of information from all kinds of different sources and on a daily basis. At the moment they get Taliban sermons and Taliban threats. So I think OLPC would be a major positive force in Afghanistan. My only concern would be that the Taliban would destroy the units as fast as they appeared. We would somehow have to provide enough security for the children of Afghanistan to enjoy the benefits that would come with OLPC. For those somewhat unfamiliar with OLPC it should be pointed out that they are designed specifically to not require western style infrastructure including electrical power. They can can be recharged using a variety of manual processes.

There is no doubt that there are many areas where development aid is required in Afghanistan. But if you really want to change the way that the people there think about the west and about the Taliban then they do need access to information – all kinds of information from all kinds of different sources and on a daily basis. At the moment they get Taliban sermons and Taliban threats.

So I think OLPC would be a major positive force in Afghanistan. My only concern would be that the Taliban would destroy the units as fast as they appeared. We would somehow have to provide enough security for the children of Afghanistan to enjoy the benefits that would come with OLPC.

]]> By: Follow-Up: We’re Not Done! « OLPCorps Ampitso http://blog.laptop.org/2009/09/16/olpc-in-the-senate/comment-page-1/#comment-5692 Follow-Up: We’re Not Done! « OLPCorps Ampitso Tue, 13 Oct 2009 17:37:07 +0000 http://blog.laptop.org/?p=901#comment-5692 [...] Attended an event at Congress called “Using Laptops to Fight Insurgencies”, where OLPC founder Nicholas Negroponte spoke, as well as OLPC supporter Senator John McCain. [...] [...] Attended an event at Congress called “Using Laptops to Fight Insurgencies”, where OLPC founder Nicholas Negroponte spoke, as well as OLPC supporter Senator John McCain. [...]

]]> By: trebenaid http://blog.laptop.org/2009/09/16/olpc-in-the-senate/comment-page-1/#comment-5682 trebenaid Sun, 11 Oct 2009 16:33:43 +0000 http://blog.laptop.org/?p=901#comment-5682 I have to agree with Joe Average. OLPC sounds courageous and motivated and even compelling until you think about the fact that even our closest neighbors (Mexico) do not necessarily boast of electricity for ALL the masses. I imagine some pretty door stops in rural Afghanistan, and not much more. And REALLY, in a country that HATES all things Western, do you really think that the parents are going to allow the CHILDREN to use these "gifts" from the Western World. Yes, it sounds like a noble mission. I just don't see it "catching on" in these desolate and restrictive places. I have to agree with Joe Average. OLPC sounds courageous and motivated and even compelling until you think about the fact that even our closest neighbors (Mexico) do not necessarily boast of electricity for ALL the masses. I imagine some pretty door stops in rural Afghanistan, and not much more. And REALLY, in a country that HATES all things Western, do you really think that the parents are going to allow the CHILDREN to use these “gifts” from the Western World.
Yes, it sounds like a noble mission. I just don’t see it “catching on” in these desolate and restrictive places.

]]> By: Christian Einfeldt (einfeldt) 's status on Saturday, 19-Sep-09 01:59:51 UTC - Identi.ca http://blog.laptop.org/2009/09/16/olpc-in-the-senate/comment-page-1/#comment-5614 Christian Einfeldt (einfeldt) 's status on Saturday, 19-Sep-09 01:59:51 UTC - Identi.ca Sat, 19 Sep 2009 01:59:59 +0000 http://blog.laptop.org/?p=901#comment-5614 [...] http://blog.laptop.org/2009/09/16/olpc-in-the-senate/ a few seconds ago from web [...] [...] http://blog.laptop.org/2009/09/16/olpc-in-the-senate/ a few seconds ago from web [...]

]]> By: Christian Einfeldt (einfeldt) 's status on Saturday, 19-Sep-09 01:58:51 UTC - Identi.ca http://blog.laptop.org/2009/09/16/olpc-in-the-senate/comment-page-1/#comment-5613 Christian Einfeldt (einfeldt) 's status on Saturday, 19-Sep-09 01:58:51 UTC - Identi.ca Sat, 19 Sep 2009 01:58:54 +0000 http://blog.laptop.org/?p=901#comment-5613 [...] http://blog.laptop.org/2009/09/16/olpc-in-the-senate/ a few seconds ago from web [...] [...] http://blog.laptop.org/2009/09/16/olpc-in-the-senate/ a few seconds ago from web [...]

]]> By: Joe Average http://blog.laptop.org/2009/09/16/olpc-in-the-senate/comment-page-1/#comment-5611 Joe Average Sat, 19 Sep 2009 00:50:10 +0000 http://blog.laptop.org/?p=901#comment-5611 Maybe you could start by bringing "real education" in the few areas of Afghanistan that are actually controlled by the NATO troops. I think it would be far easier than hoping to reach children in the rest of the country: I don't think that parachuting OLPCs in hostile villages will help that much. Expecially considering that they may lack electric sockets. Oh, in order to foster computer education in Afghanistan it may also help to build some roads, health care system, power grids, aqueducts, factories, industrial farms... You know, all the stuff the western world needed before computers. Maybe you could start by bringing “real education” in the few areas of Afghanistan that are actually controlled by the NATO troops. I think it would be far easier than hoping to reach children in the rest of the country: I don’t think that parachuting OLPCs in hostile villages will help that much. Expecially considering that they may lack electric sockets.

Oh, in order to foster computer education in Afghanistan it may also help to build some roads, health care system, power grids, aqueducts, factories, industrial farms… You know, all the stuff the western world needed before computers.

]]> By: Chris Ball: The Best Card Trick | Full-Linux.com http://blog.laptop.org/2009/09/16/olpc-in-the-senate/comment-page-1/#comment-5610 Chris Ball: The Best Card Trick | Full-Linux.com Fri, 18 Sep 2009 06:04:20 +0000 http://blog.laptop.org/?p=901#comment-5610 [...] even-more-mind-blowing news, today John McCain gave a talk about [...] [...] even-more-mind-blowing news, today John McCain gave a talk about [...]

]]> By: David (huertanix) 's status on Thursday, 17-Sep-09 16:49:59 UTC - Identi.ca http://blog.laptop.org/2009/09/16/olpc-in-the-senate/comment-page-1/#comment-5606 David (huertanix) 's status on Thursday, 17-Sep-09 16:49:59 UTC - Identi.ca Thu, 17 Sep 2009 16:50:03 +0000 http://blog.laptop.org/?p=901#comment-5606 [...] @storming: John McCain speaking about the OLPC http://blog.laptop.org/2009/09/16/olpc-in-the-senate/ (via [...] [...] @storming: John McCain speaking about the OLPC http://blog.laptop.org/2009/09/16/olpc-in-the-senate/ (via [...]

]]> By: sj http://blog.laptop.org/2009/09/16/olpc-in-the-senate/comment-page-1/#comment-5605 sj Thu, 17 Sep 2009 16:41:46 +0000 http://blog.laptop.org/?p=901#comment-5605 Most of those amazing photos come from the inimitable Mike Lee. Thanks, Mike! Most of those amazing photos come from the inimitable Mike Lee. Thanks, Mike!

]]> By: Stormy (storming) 's status on Thursday, 17-Sep-09 09:52:41 UTC - Identi.ca http://blog.laptop.org/2009/09/16/olpc-in-the-senate/comment-page-1/#comment-5603 Stormy (storming) 's status on Thursday, 17-Sep-09 09:52:41 UTC - Identi.ca Thu, 17 Sep 2009 09:52:44 +0000 http://blog.laptop.org/?p=901#comment-5603 [...] McCain speaking about the OLPC http://blog.laptop.org/2009/09/16/olpc-in-the-senate/ (via [...] [...] McCain speaking about the OLPC http://blog.laptop.org/2009/09/16/olpc-in-the-senate/ (via [...]

]]> By: The Best Card Trick http://blog.laptop.org/2009/09/16/olpc-in-the-senate/comment-page-1/#comment-5601 The Best Card Trick Thu, 17 Sep 2009 06:40:32 +0000 http://blog.laptop.org/?p=901#comment-5601 [...] even-more-mind-blowing news, today John McCain gave a talk about [...] [...] even-more-mind-blowing news, today John McCain gave a talk about [...]

]]> By: Chris Ball (chrisball) 's status on Thursday, 17-Sep-09 04:25:39 UTC - Identi.ca http://blog.laptop.org/2009/09/16/olpc-in-the-senate/comment-page-1/#comment-5599 Chris Ball (chrisball) 's status on Thursday, 17-Sep-09 04:25:39 UTC - Identi.ca Thu, 17 Sep 2009 04:25:47 +0000 http://blog.laptop.org/?p=901#comment-5599 [...] http://blog.laptop.org/2009/09/16/olpc-in-the-senate/ a few seconds ago from web [...] [...] http://blog.laptop.org/2009/09/16/olpc-in-the-senate/ a few seconds ago from web [...]

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