Comments on: Does Africa always need to go high-tech?

By: Twitted by IvoVegter

Twitted by IvoVegter — Fri, 04 Dec 2009 22:46:28 +0000

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By: Andrew Taynton

Andrew Taynton — Fri, 04 Dec 2009 12:36:13 +0000

Sarah – both old and new technology can be beneficial to Africa. One of the biggest problems is technology is foisted upon us because it makes money for the producer, not because it is the best technology for the user/consumer.

If governments would objectively choose technology that was most beneficial and least harmful while taking into account socio-economic issues without lobbying and bribes from industry we would be in a much better position.

By: antfarm

antfarm — Fri, 04 Dec 2009 04:38:21 +0000

I saw hundreds of people in Ugandan markets diligently sewing clothes with foot-powered machines. What makes or breaks new technology is the entourage of marketing media as it is introduced. People are presented with a view that their futures would be incomplete without the new additions, and if they have the means, they buy into it. In Africa, those are by far the minority. (Even if they sometimes make decisions for many.) For the rest, and that’s a big market, circumstances enforce pragmatism!

By: Joy-Mari Cloete

Joy-Mari Cloete — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 10:46:07 +0000

Good points. I need to stew on it a bit.

By: Ann

Ann — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 18:17:24 +0000

When I was at school, a physics teacher pointed out how cheap it was to use ethanol for many fuel uses. When we asked why poorer countries didn’t then use it, he gravely said that ethanol was less “cool” than petrol, so many poorer govts, to look wealthier and more “withit” opted for petrol. It’s a case of looking good to everyone else. It’s like aircons in India. they’re a status symbol. People on the ground it seems, are smarter.

By: Twitter Trackbacks for Thought Leader » Sarah Britten » Does Africa always need to go high-tech? [thoughtleader.co.za] on Topsy.com

Wed, 02 Dec 2009 16:04:03 +0000

[...] Thought Leader » Sarah Britten » Does Africa always need to go high-tech? http://www.thoughtleader.co.za/sarahbritten/2009/12/01/does-africa-always-need-to-go-high-tech – view page – cached Do we sometimes overrate new technology at the expense of the old? Is there a possibility that we idealise the impact of the new to a degree that we completely overlook things that still work… Read moreDo we sometimes overrate new technology at the expense of the old? Is there a possibility that we idealise the impact of the new to a degree that we completely overlook things that still work perfectly well? View page [...]

By: DeltaM

DeltaM — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 10:57:07 +0000

Sarah, are you sure you do not have some black blood running through your veins. I would bet your great grand father was some Taxi boss from the Faraday Taxi association – after all these taxi owners have proved over and over their unwillingness to move over to more modern and secure taxi fleets and would rather make bundles of cash with the very very old Jalopies.
On a more serious note, i think you have just hit the nail on the head. It pains me though that with all the so called African professionals and Politicians, who are quick to point a fingure at the West when it suits them, they have not yet realised this reality – not only for the convenience and cost cutting as you pointed out, but perhaps more importantly, reduce the dependance on the very West that they all love to despise.
That way, we could see some real economic growth, and not the superficial type that we see when our comrades spend millions (that could be used for develoment)on the latest German machines

By: Dave Gale

Dave Gale — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 10:25:23 +0000

I’m a telecoms veteran (as much as I hate to have to admit to it) having been in the industry since 1983 and I could not agree more.

Far too often we make technology the end as opposed to the means. Techies love new technology, but “new technology” fast becomes yesterday’s technology and causes the entire ecosystem to become more complex to maintain.

Too seldom do we concentrate on making old technology far more effective. Far too clever for our own good is what we are.

Viva the renaissance of the typewriter!

By: Twitted by mgthoughtleader

Twitted by mgthoughtleader — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 09:51:24 +0000

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