OLPC - Opportunity?

I support the efforts of U.N. agencies and charitable organizations who put cutting-edge technologies in the hands of underprivileged students from the Third World. It can give them a leg-up in a world where digital literacy is a prerequisite to success and prosperity. Bringing students across the fold with technology is a great idea and should be continued in any manner possible. I realize that the argument against OLPC is that the organization is spending money on technology rather than a system to provide running water or shelter, much more essential needs. I agree that there must be a clear focus on the fundamental needs of these children, but I think it's a mistake to criticize any effort that doesn't constitute nutritional aid. I don't think there is anything wrong with an organization providing the means for these students' mental nourishment. These countries have the potential to leap across the digital divide without enduring the long process that we went through. Ireland, for example, is now the technology hub of Europe. Yet just a few decades ago, it was far from digitally integrated into the European network. The country was able to leapfrog much of the development required of previous nations making the same transition.

I also think that the OLPC program brings up important questions of privacy. I was surprised to learn that the laptops are controlled by a centralized computer system operated by the administrator. There are clear advantages to having the laptops be controlled by a centralized computer in such a tumultuous part of the globe. Should a laptop go missing, the central computer can disable it's operation and remotely control it in hopes of retrieving it. The downsides are illustrated in recent events here in America. Recently it was reported that Pennsylvania student was being spied on by school administrators through a school laptop he took home with him. There are clear concerns about the potential abuse of donated or lent technology. As with this Pennsylvania student, the African students are somewhat at the mercy of their international benefactors. In spite of the good intentions of Nicholas Negroponte, questions of privacy begin to cloud the positive feelings about this program. Questions of privacy are paramount in people's minds today, as they should be. Take a look at this clip of Google CEO Eric Schmidt discussing privacy concerns with CNBC. Unsettling to say the least.