[Yr7-10it] $100 laptop story on Sixty Minutes tonight
Kent Beveridge
kbeveridge at stbc.vic.edu.au
Mon Nov 12 15:40:23 EST 2007
I knew my comment would provide some controversy! I should have been a pirate! arrrrhhh..
ah, free speech, dont cha luv it! someone was bound to play devil's advocate..may as well be me!
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 promises.....
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From: yr7-10it-bounces at edulists.com.au on behalf of Russell Edwards
Sent: Mon 11/12/2007 2:37 PM
To: Year 7 - 10 Information Technology Teachers' Mailing List
Subject: Re: [Yr7-10it] $100 laptop story on Sixty Minutes tonight
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
> promises.....
> "This email and any attachments may be confidential. You must not
> disclose or use the information in this email if you are not the
> intended recipient. If you have received this email in error,
> please notify us immediately and delete the email and all copies.
> The School does not guarantee that this email is virus or error
> free. The attached files are provided and my only be used on the
> basis that the user assumes all responsibility for any loss, damage
> or consequence resulting directly or indirectly from the use of the
> attached files, whether caused by the negligence of the sender or
> not. The content and opinions in this email are not necessarily
> those of the School."
>
> 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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