I really enjoyed the discussion about the cost of technology and the
increasing gap between the "have" and "have not". However, I think that
the cost of technology is decreasing and that "ultimately" (who knows
when), the gap will come to narrow. We can for example think of the cost
of computers. Fifteen years ago, they costed so much that only companies
and a few fortunate people could have access to them. Nowadays however,
computers seem to be everywhere and an essential part of our lives.
Nevertheless, technology does cost a lot, and the developing countries
have a much harder time keeping up with it. I know that back home
(Tunisia), it costs around $150 to get the internet PLUS hourly charges.
It might not seem a lot to some, but $250 is the average salary of a
worker. I also know that no one in my family has a computer, simply
because they still cost too much. I was fortunate enough to travel and buy
my first computer 9 years ago.
I however believe that the costs will decrease (I do hope for my sake when
I go back...) because more and more people want the service and simply
can't afford it yet. Amazingly enough, most if not all jobs require
familiarity with computers. I guess all we have to do is wait.
Hager :)
hagerbm@gwis2.circ.gwu.edu
"Be not another if thou canst be thyself" Paracelsus
--hager ben-mahmoud <hagerbm@gwis2.circ.gwu.edu>
Learning-org -- An Internet Dialog on Learning Organizations For info: <rkarash@karash.com> -or- <http://world.std.com/~lo/>