21st Century Challenges

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• 19 May, 2011

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To Nicholas Negroponte: Why have countries like Rwanda embraced OLPC laptops and others not bought into the idea?

"There are all sorts of reasons. We have had the most success with governments that have extremely strong leadership."

To Erik Hersman: Where is the evidence that these technology are life improving and economically transformational??

"Progress is never made by the
pessimists in the world."

To Nicholas Negroponte: How do you compare Africa to South America in terms of the ability of technology to transform people's lives? Is it easier there?

"Yes it is easier, because none of the poorest 50 countries are in South America, but nearly 30 of them are in Africa."

"In Africa many countries are more granular, with hundreads of languages even within one country, such as Nigeria. South America fundamentally speaks two languages." 

To Nicholas Negroponte: Would you ever consider manufacturing the OLPC laptops in Africa?

"Those jobs are so crummy, that it's not clear whether manufacturing, even in China, shouldnt be done without people in the future."