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Open Economies - Bridging the gap

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Bridging the gap

  • Subject: Bridging the gap
  • From: openeconomies(at)cyber.law.harvard.edu (GERSHON ADZADI)
  • Date: Thu, 16 Aug 2001 09:14:54
Hi Mike,

I have read your contribution with a very candid interest. Your style is 
wonderful and thought provoking.

Can we also add to your number 1 - 4 in respect of factors contributing to 
the gap as follows

5. cultural
6. political
7. social
8. economic/financial
9. age groups

Let us continue to discuss and create the needed awareness, please

Gershon Adzadi
IT Manager
Ghana Civil Aviation Authority
gershona@hotmail.com


>From: Mikael Pawlo <mikael@pawlo.com>
>Reply-To: openeconomies@eon.law.harvard.edu
>To: openeconomies@eon.law.harvard.edu
>Subject: Re: [Openeconomies] Bridging the gap
>Date: Thu, 16 Aug 2001 21:33:46 +0200
>
>At 21.09 +0200 01-08-07, Mikael Pawlo wrote:
> >Dear all,
> >I will just try to spark some discussion, here is a few points to 
>consider.
> >I think they are worth to address to try to find some common ground (or
> >than again, maybe we will not) to take action from.
>
>No major reaction, but I will try to address some issues to get the
>discussion going. I hope you do not mind me doing this.
>
> >1. Is there a gap? What is it then?
>
>Yes. There is a gap in countries and between countries and between
>continents in respect of:
>1. computers
>2. access
>3. general IT knowledge and
>4. use.
>
>If one of the factors 1-4 is missing in any given community, the digital
>gap will eventually evolve. In a community with high rates of 1-4, the
>digital development will flourish.
>
> >2. Where is the gap? Are we talking about the gap worldwide in developing
> >countries or even on a national level in welfare countries with internal
> >differences and gaps (i e USA or Sweden)?
>
>I think the gap is relative and could be applied and considered both on a
>domestic and international level.
>
> >3. Should we bridge the gap? (Should you answer no to this question, the
> >rest of the questions may not be useful.)
>
>I think we should consider the world throught the John Rawls veil of
>ignorance. Rawls is well-known to all scholars of jurisprudence and most
>likely all of you, but just to make sure we are on the same page: the basic
>idea is that the choice of the pinciples of social organisation is to be
>made by persons who have no idea of the actual position they will occupy in
>society or of their interests and inclinations. Rawls is wideley critised,
>maybe best by Nozick, but I still consider his ideas as a good tool and
>framework for any regulatory or policy discussions.
>
>Seen through the eyes of Rawls we should bridge the gap at least if we do
>enjoy the benefits of a digital society.
>
> >4. Do we have a responsibility as humans to brdige the gap? Why / why 
>not?
>
>Yes, according to the answer to 3.
>
> >5. Are there any negative consequences of bridging the gap? Do we (i e 
>the
> >rich filthy bastards) profit from the differences?
>
>Iqbal Mohomed has addressed this issue very well in his submission.
>
> >6. Are there any positive consequences of bridging the gap Do we (again 
>the
> >rich filthy bastards) profit from minimising the differences?
>
>Iqbal Mohomed has addressed this issue very well in his submission.
>
> >7. How do we bridge the gap in short time with lack of funds?
>
>I think we should be very generous with our knowledge. It will not cost us
>much to set up web sites spreading our knowledge and works to other
>communities. The open source and free software movement could be the most
>important step towards digitalisation of Africa. Sweden is one country
>spending a lot of funds on financial aid directed towards developing
>countries (often referred to the Group 77 countries). Maybe we and other
>nations should refocus and educate and ditribute or knowledge instead of
>cash.
>
>At the United Nations Millenium Summit the prime minister of India, Shri
>Vitar Bhapal Vhajpayee stated:
>
>"A 'New Economy' drives the world today. Yet, nearly a quarter of the
>people this Assembly represents have neither prospered nor gained from
>these developments. Often,they find themselves further marginalised and
>more vulnerable as development economics gives way to unbridled market
>economics and social objectives are erased by profit motives."
>
> >8. How do we bridge the gap in long time with lack of funds?
>
>Actually, the same answer as 7. We also probably could donate a lot of
>outranged equipment to the Group 77 countries or to less fortunate people
>in our own contries.
>
> >9. How do we bridge the gap in long time with lots of funds?
>
>I thikn we should address these issues through the United Nations or a
>similar organisation and fund a special program aiming to wire the world.
>
> >10. Name one measure you can initiate today to bridge the gap. Will you 
>do it?
>
>I have translated the GNU GPL v 2 into Swedish, which - to my surprise -
>was very much appreciated by Swedes lacking knowledge of the English
>language. If you are not a programmer, easy things like this could actually
>improve the world, although it may seem simple and naive on the verge to
>pathetic. I have also published some of my works online, which has turned
>out to be helpful to a few people. It is not a huge effort, but if we all
>do something it could have some impact. You do not have to go into Pay it
>forward-sleazy movies extremes .-)
>
>My new task will be to write easy to grasp guidelines to use computers with
>free software or open source software. It will cost me a few hours, but
>hopefully someone will be helped.
>
> >P.S. Will someone please throw Al Hammondof the list? D.S.
>
>Thanks Wendy, for your quick action.
>
>If anyone read this far, I am very impressed. Thank you for your attention.
>
>Best Regards
>
>Mikael Pawlo
>
>_________________________________________________________________________
>
>   ICQ:35638414                              mailto:mikael@pawlo.com
>   +46-704-215825                              http://www.pawlo.com/
>
>
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