It’s really great to listen to someone who really cares about what they do. Tiffany’s work with the women of Nepal is so exciting. There are so many ways in which technology can impact developing countries. It’s cool to think about finding ways to help people to help themselves.
As I listened to her presentation the thought did come to mind that we need to be careful inserting technology where it is not wanted. If a country is doing fine without it why mess around with it? I heard this story long ago and was reminded of it today. It may have some application
The American businessman was at the pier of a small coastal Mexican village when a small boat with just one fisherman docked. Inside the small boat were several large yellowfin tuna. The American complimented the Mexican on the quality of his fish and asked how long it took to catch them.
The Mexican replied only a little while. The American then asked why didn’t he stay out longer and catch more fish? The Mexican said he had enough to support his family’s immediate needs. The American then asked, “But what do you do with the rest of your time?” The Mexican fisherman said, “I sleep late, fish a little, play with my children, take siesta with my wife, Maria, stroll into the village each evening where I sip wine and play guitar with my amigos, I have a full and busy life, senior.”
The American scoffed, “I am a Harvard MBA and could help you. You should spend more time fishing and with the proceeds, buy a bigger boat with the proceeds from the bigger boat you could buy several boats, eventually you would have a fleet of fishing boats. Instead of selling your catch to a middleman you would sell directly to the processor, eventually opening your own cannery. You would control the product, processing and distribution. You would need to leave this small coastal fishing village and move to Mexico City, then LA and eventually NYC where you will run your expanding enterprise.”
The Mexican fisherman asked, “But senior, how long will this all take?”
To which the American replied, “15-20 years.”
“But what then, senior?”
The American laughed and said that’s the best part. “When the time is right you would announce an IPO and sell your company stock to the public and become very rich, you would make millions.”
“Millions, senior? Then what?”
The American said, “Then you would retire. Move to a small coastal fishing village where you would sleep late, fish a little, play with your kids, take siesta with your wife, stroll to the village in the evenings where you could sip wine and play your guitar with your amigos.”
In Tiffany’s work I don’t think this is an issue. People seem to be asking for technology and finding positive ways of using it to increase their joy and happiness. In the case where a group of people is being subjugated and a technology such as a computer (or a ball-point pen) can help I say go for it.
I watched to a presentation by Catherine Ngugi at the most recent Open Education Conference. Ms. Ngugi is the project director for OER Africa. She touched upon some of the same topics Tiffany did. It may be worth watching.
