The Internet

http://www.firstmonday.org/issues/issue9_4/press/

This article and the related links on it discuss some of the more efficient ways for the poorer countries of the world to integrate themselves into the “information age” that the rest of us take for granted. It shows where the program needs to start as well as shows several of the places that this new program would have the best effect on the community and on the populace as a whole. Another of the things that is shows if how all of the efforts that have been made by the many programs by humanitarians and world organizations alike have really been in vain because they did not address the problem itself in the correct way.

Apparently, countries that have a technologically underdeveloped populace, such as India, have been subjected to hundreds of unsuccessful, though well meaning, invasions of national privacy for the sake of advancement; however, they were apparently getting the proverbial “shaft” from the organizations in this. It seem that recent studies show that the best way for an underdeveloped country to integrate new technology into its general populace is to simply dive into the newest technology head first and take on a “sink or swim” attitude with the average citizen. There can apparently be no coddling or reintroductions to older software or hardware, there must simply be a standard set and expectations laid.

Another of the assertions that is made in this essay is that there must be actual action finally taken if there will ever be any good to come of all of these hypothetical studies and hypotheses done by the “experts” of their respective ages. While a lot of valuable research has been done and many important things have been learned, there really haven’t been many advances in regards to getting the underdeveloped countries in an active place on the information super highway. This seems to be a reflection of the work ethic of today. Everyone is more than happy to give their opinion about the matter but whenever there is actual work that needs to be done in order for someone to help, they are either too busy, or they will simply find a reason not to. You can never be proven wrong if u never take your ideas to fruition.

One of the final topics that is addressed in this category is what it is what must be done. The word that is used is “audacious.” This word choice implies that whatever it is that will be done must be done drastically and to the fullest. There can be no half hearted attempt to solving this problem, whoever chooses to take it one must simply dive in and hope for the best.

In conclusion, I believe that this is a very effective essay in that it is both short and to the point. It is easy to understand, while at the same time, not lacking in any aspect of the information that it is presenting. Something must be done and t must be severe…its just that no one knows what that something is.