[Yr7-10it] $100 laptop story on Sixty Minutes tonight

[Russell Edwards]

On 12/11/2007, at 1:59 PM, Kent Beveridge wrote:

> Saw the story about the laptops...
> Personally, I think the whole thing is one big PR item for all those  
> concerned.

Well, there are those of us who think that everything people do is out  
of enlightened self-interest.  There is nothing wrong with that, in  
fact in the context of the free market it's the basis of our high  
standard of living in comparison to the various failed experiments in  
communism. As long as correct incentives exist or can be created, it  
is the most efficient and effective way of achieving great things and  
without it we would not be having this conversation because ICT would  
not have developed as quickly as it has.

Of course the corporations get good PR--what is wrong with that? As  
for the academics, I doubt they will make any financial gains out of  
it. There won't be any intellectual property as they have committed to  
an open source / free software model.  Of course if the program is  
successful, on top of a warm fuzzy feeling they will gain prestige in  
academic circles which in turn leads to increased grant-getting  
ability (which in turn increases prestige, which in turn... a fairly  
pointless game, hey? anyone want to know why I left academia?). As for  
the manufacturer, well of course they are running a profit. I'm sure  
the project would be open to competitive offers to make the product  
for a lower price-- this is how free market economics work to optimise  
the outcome for both sides of any exchange.

The self-interest factor also comes into it when the question is  
asked, is it better to provide cash, food, shelter, etc or to run  
programs such as OLPC?  The former has us acting selflessly, with the  
best of intentions, but with limited effectiveness because it  
encourages dependence on handouts. The latter in comparison empowers  
them to work towards self-sufficiency.  Give a man a fish, etc etc...

Russell Edwards
Whittlesea Secondary College



On 12/11/2007, at 1:59 PM, Kent Beveridge wrote:

> Saw the story about the laptops...
> Personally, I think the whole thing is one big PR item for all those  
> concerned. The classic question that made me laugh was when asked  
> what was in it for the designer(cant remember his name..Dr.  
> something I think..) and he said nothing..rubbish! talk about a  
> windfall of potential business if the contracts get signed..ummm  
> intellectual property mate! der. just as a starter....plus a cut  
> from the 'chinese' manufacturer...what are they getting for making  
> these ....sorry , getting on my hobby horse...must stop....
>
> KB.
>
> Kent Beveridge,
> I.T. co-ordinator
> St. Brigids Catholic Sec. College
> Horsham
> email.. kbeveridge at stbc.vic.edu.au
>
> |<3|\|7  b3\/3r1D93 ?  ;-)
> Wishes and Eggs, one you make and one you break!  A bit like  
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> From: yr7-10it-bounces at edulists.com.au on behalf of Margaret Lawson
> Sent: Mon 11/12/2007 12:27 AM
> To: Year 7 - 10 Information Technology Teachers' Mailing List
> Cc: Year 12 Software Development Teachers' Mailing List; Year 12 IT  
> Applications Teachers' Mailing List
> Subject: Re: [Yr7-10it] $100 laptop story on Sixty Minutes tonight
>
> If you missed it, here it is:
> http://60minutes.yahoo.com/segment/69/one_laptop_per_child
>
> Originally aired in the US in May
>
> enjoy!
>
> Margaret
>
> Margaret Lawson wrote:
> > Dear All
> >
> > $100 laptop story on Sixty Minutes tonight, Channel 9, third story
> > along ...
> >
> > enjoy!
> >
> > Margaret
> > _______________________________________________
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> Year 7 - 10 IT Mailing List kindly supported by
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