1 Child:1 Computer

In recent years, technology companies have begun to partner with local governments whose goal it is to outfit every child in said nation with a computer. Media Lab in Massachusetts, for instance, has created $100 crank up laptops for children in rural areas without a stable source of electric power. Those behind these plans most likely are well-intentioned to be sure. But have they asked the crucial question, what will be the ramifications?

Already, globalization has changed the face of this planet to resemble what many call a "global village." The term village, can be defined as a community of individuals living in close proximity. In the traditional sense, these individuals share a collective belief system, interest, and lifestyle; culture.

So what happens when the tech companies link up people of every nation and tribe in the entire world on the same online network? Do we suddenly become a global village? Are we on planet earth, now a community of individuals who share a collective belief system, interest, and lifestyle? To affirm the truth of this statement would be in the least naive.

Now what would happen when one day, a child on the island of Vanuatu was given a crank up laptop. He decides to learn about the country that sponsored this gift: America. Would this child, clothed in his only ratty outfit, dirty bare feet dangling over the edge of a rock learn that the life of a middle class American is one of ease and comfort? Would he then ask his mother why the Americans life in such luxury while his family lives in relative poverty?

What would she say?

What would we tell him?

How should we respond?

We could take away his computer, and with it, the potential to access and gain knowledge along with the rest of the world. That way, he wouldn't know that he was poor. That way he wouldn't see how comfortably American's live and wonder why they are so greedy in keeping it all to themselves. That way, he could go on to produce the next generation of subsistence agriculture farmers that cannot provide shoes to their children. That way, we could keep on living like we do and not stop to question, what is my responsibility to the world's poor?

Or maybe as they begin to learn about us, we could begin to learn about them. Maybe we would then realize that the expanse of ocean separating us is far larger than our shared humanity. Maybe then we would wonder whether we need a 25 year mortgage or a 10 year mortgage, 3 cars or 1, a luxury cruise vacation or camping, 50 pairs of shoes or 5.

Maybe we should tell that boy in Vanuatu, I will give up my spare car so that you can have shoes, a new pair of clothes and a home to live in.

Maybe such a response would elicit a smile that begins on his face and ends on your computer screen.

Think about it.

My Knowlephobia

Sometimes I’m afraid of knowledge. Why? Because knowledge is power and knowledge is responsibility. When I am a person with knowledge, I am accountable for what I do with that information. So sometimes, I avoid knowledge.

If Knowledge knocks at my door and I turn her away, I am a fool. If Knowledge knocks and I don’t answer, I am weak, without courage, without a backbone.

But if I answer Knowledge and hear her out, than I add something more to myself, I become something greater, I now have the potential for power. But power comes only with action, and I am now left with the burden of choice: do I act, or do I stay silent and still. If I act, and act rightly, I have potential to help someone, and maybe I’ll become a hero. If I act and act wrongly, I have the potential to hurt someone, and maybe I’ll become an enemy. If I don’t act at all, I am a fool and as good as dead.

So what do I know? I know that as I consume my evening meal and throw away the scraps to eat dessert, X number of children starve to death. I know that the same amount of money I spend on a new outfit could sustain a persons life another year. I know that as an American, I have the potential to climb to a position of influence and power and affect governments and stop senseless killing.

With the knowledge I have, what will I do? Will I turn my eyes away from these things and use my potential and resources to add all kinds of luxuries and comforts to my life? Will I return the gaze of children bloated bellies, teenagers forced into the sex-trade, villagers being pillaged and murdered because of their blood and say “I will fight for you! I will use my knowledge and the power that comes with that, my situation in life and my courage and I will save your life too!”

If I do not, call me a coward and a fool.