MobileRead Forums - View Single Post - e-readers for every man woman and child

Kali Yuga · 02-22-2011, 09:30 AM

OK, again: It's pretty much been done.

Read up on the One Laptop Per Child project.

I would also say that although I am generally pro-technology, as with the OLPC I don't think "everybody gets an ebook reader" is the best use of resources. Though I'm not an expert on international poverty, it sounds like a very Western answer -- "get them some tech!" when a low-tech solution is just as good, or better.

E.g. you could spend $1000 on 10 ebook readers, that under the best of circumstances will likely last 5 years, will cost extra for content, and need power; or $1000 on 80 books that will likely last much longer, service more people and doesn't need power.

Similarly many of the people in the target demographic will likely benefit more from vaccinations, clean water and cheap irrigation techniques than ebooks.

02-22-2011, 09:30 AM	#9
Kali Yuga Professional Contrarian Posts: 2,045 Karma: 3289631 Join Date: Mar 2009 Device: Kindle 4 No Touchie	OK, again: It's pretty much been done. Read up on the One Laptop Per Child project. I would also say that although I am generally pro-technology, as with the OLPC I don't think "everybody gets an ebook reader" is the best use of resources. Though I'm not an expert on international poverty, it sounds like a very Western answer -- "get them some tech!" when a low-tech solution is just as good, or better. E.g. you could spend $1000 on 10 ebook readers, that under the best of circumstances will likely last 5 years, will cost extra for content, and need power; or $1000 on 80 books that will likely last much longer, service more people and doesn't need power. Similarly many of the people in the target demographic will likely benefit more from vaccinations, clean water and cheap irrigation techniques than ebooks.