I'm hating that people are giving laptops to these people..they don't want to play video games and surf the web..they want to LIVE..Give them food, water, clothes. They don't give a damn about laptops. I would throw that away if I was living in Africa. It's useless.
This is also our Good Life Mission's hope - to have for our children the necessary tools of education, which presently we don't have. But we remain hopeful.
Paper. Cheap, requires no power or batteries, never crashes, portable, expandable, lasts 100,000x longer than magnetic media, instant on, sortable, handles graphics and color and fonts of any size or text of any language with ease, duplicate it, you can send messages on it globally, even compress it, recycle it. Sponsor my: "One Pack of Index Cards" per child program. For the cost of one useless junky plastic toxic breakable OLPC you can buy 100,000 index cards, or enough for 100 children.
@ANARCHYdashTVdotCOM Paper, once it gets wet it can't be used, once it gets dirty it can't be read or written on, lasts for only two uses - one on each side, requires slaughtered forests to be made and creates toxic chemicals when recycled, 1000 index cards won't last or have the functionality anywhere near an XO laptop, can't be used for long-distance communication, can't be used for research purposes, requires extra peripherals to write with, can't record and playback speech or video.
@shadowkunai12 OLPC is a peer2peer machine using mesh , they have networking even if none of them has Internet, but if one of them connect to Internet it will act as a proxy/gateway for the others. In short, it's the original design of tcp/ip made for sharing before Microsoft made the world to a client/server model where central servers are needed for communication. A windows box should not work of course, since they all get virus that load the network while others must get updates one by one.
They need to rethink the whole program, like many are saying, these people have bigger problems than needing a computer. And seriously, they make it seem like a pc is like a vaccine for poverty and ignorance. Maybe they need to look at how many idiots are on the internet and see computers aren't making the world smarter in general. Please tell me we have smarter people out there that can come up with better ideas than this.
@greyfoxzero This is one mans project to bring technology that many take for granted to parts of the world where many have not even seen this technology. There are people out there giving vaccines and medicines (i.e. The Fred Hollows Foundation) and there are people and organisations out there helping to grow crops and establish food reserves.
The project shouldn't be criticised because "these people have bigger problems". That's as narrow minded as saying "they don't deserve technology".
@GaseousAnomaly001 I did several google searches and failed to find ANYTHING relating to governments seizing or melting down XO laptops in any countries, let alone African ones. Ironically Uruguay's government (one of the most corrupt in the world) became actively involved in ensuring that students got full access to the XO's as soon as possible after the laptop's release.
Perhaps you should do some research before making biased statements.
they dont have theachers! they dont know how to read! how do this people expect that they can use a laptop? I hate this kind of humans that are more and more dependent of machines!!!
@daveboris I think you'll find that the laptops are being provided to established areas where they do have teachers, if not schools. Also, just because they are poor does not mean they can't read.
@Mentocthemindtaker that's not the point. We dont need laptops to learn! I know much people that dont know how to use a computer and they are very inteligent. Computers tend to make us more like machines. We are losing our human characteristics and we are becoming more like machines. This childrem live in a place more natural than hus. They dont have Ipods, mp3, laptops, bluetooth, video games, etc. And thats a very good think because this tecnology handcuff people. It's just my point of view
@daveboris I apologise if I came on too strong. I respect your opinion and agree that students don't NEED laptops to become educated. I don't think this makes the OLPC program a bad thing though. The truth is that as a species we are becoming much more closely linked with others in every part of the world. As such we are now sharing technologies - and countries that have no access to these technologies are only going to fall farther and farther behind in terms of global development.
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food water and shelter are not just important aspects of life. they are the foundation upon which all other possibilities of development are built. if someone is starving, what do they care about msn? these people need to be able to drink water that hasn't had livestock urinating in it far more than the need to check email!! the money wasted on these projects could have been better spent teaching them to enrich the soil for better agriculture or how to purify their water. what a JOKE!!
i appreciate the teach a man to fish concept, really. my problem is simple; the money spent to hand out what is a luxury good could be far more effectively spent teaching these people how to build and support their infrastructure. if they don't have proper sanitation and water, a consistent food supply, durable shelter, and reliable electricity, there is no point even trying to teach them anything else. a laptop isn't going to help these people learn to build homes or run water mains.
Who is to say that It won't? Educated people see the reason to have such structures. What is the point of telling them that "Their Water is bad" if they don't understand that it is the microbes and pollutants that cause it, and that they can fix the problem? Why should they have to depend on others? Why would they trust the people that want to help them?
Secondly: This program is secondary, something that is brought in after food and water are established. This allows continuing forwards
they don't need to be told their water is bad. they already know. what i'm saying is the money wasted on this program could have been much better spent sending over experts in each necessary area (agriculture, sanitation, water supply, construction, etc.) and providing supplies to get them started. later assistance on developing their own natural resources in a way they can sustain indefinitely. simply giving them laptops isn't going to do any of this. we need to educate them first to
satisfy the basic physiological needs, then to solve the issues of security and self protection. everything else depends upon those two concepts being firmly and effectively in place. google maslow's hierarchy of need. maybe that will help explain my point. self actualization is impossible if you're hungry.
For those that have their basic needs met, this program can bring the people up to a point where they can help others. Teach a man to teach a man to fish.
Food, water, and shelter are all important aspects of life, but education is the driving force that provides and supplies those three aspects of life. For example, spoon-feeding a helpless baby makes sense, so that it can get its basic nutrition, however, eventually that baby must know how to use a spoon so that it can eat on its own. That's just an example.
Hooray for inexpensive plastic laptops powered by the sun!
where would they learn to spell, where will they get internet, where will they get energy, and dont they need other things more, and why one per child, one per household will help better
Yes they can. I ran the 'Sugar on a Stick' software (which is the same software the XO-1 uses) on my desktop and the web browser handled every web page I threw at it, including the web-based MSN Messenger and my bank's home page. Of course, everyone uses Facebook now....
First, that it's a generalization, there are a lot of poor people who has access to electricity. The OLPC machine was going to have a system witch allows the battery to be charged by a hand-crank generator. Unfortunately it didn't get to be on the final release.
Just like Exerci said: Because they need education. It's pretty much a measure of "Give a man a fish, and he'll be sated for one day, teach him to fish, and he'll be sated for the rest of his life."
Giving them food is a shortsighted solution, and so is giving them clean water. As is they have no way to live without support from Europe+USA+Aussieland. If we just keep giving them water and food, that will never change. If we give them education, give them tools to learn with, they stand a chance
yea, but when we have to educate the whole of africa dosent it feel a little patronising. If they cant work out what the rest of the world learnt a long time ago maybe they dont deserve any help. I am more than willing to help someone who has been unlucky (disease,natural disaster etc) but stupidity - they are on their own.
Excuse me, have you heard of a little something called colonialism, which helped "the rest of the world" learn, develop long time ago at the expense of the African continent? America is built by European immigrants as well as the African slaves who were the best, strongest men and women of that continent captured by European slave traders and brought here. But if you don't buy it, know this: today noone is independent, diseases, extremist groups, civil wars gar away will eventually affect you.
dude ur just a fvking hypocrite! what do u mean by stupidity? poor doesnt mean stupid its not their fault to be poor, i bet some of them could use the resources way better than u if they had the chances
what u r doesnt giv u any right to look down on other race
u are just one of those guys who makes me sick... nevetnas right... man u r so UNEDUCATED
i have travelled to many nations and certainly not regard myself as uneducated. I enjoy traditional places who are content with a more basic life, but it is places that strive to achieve the western lifestyle and fail simply because they are not graced with the ability to achieve it. And the difference between rich and poor is not reserved to economic factors. I have met many natives of the pacific islands, have little money but are very happy, therefore people never regard them as poor.
look at anthropological history of various nations, the likes of the chinese who invented gunpowder and built the great wall of china. This modern day racial communism where people want to insist we are all the same is total nonsense. And why would you regard me as a hipocrit. It is the likes of places like uganda and zimbabwe, where the native people look upon the immigrants with envy, so they throw them out and then the economy collapses. And look into average IQ's of various nations.
sorry. accidentally thumb-downed your comment doudou31. meant to thumb it up.
homo sapiens has been around for 30000 years or so. the industrial age is not a whole lot more than 200 years old. many of the countries we are talking about are already industrialised to a significant degree. to say that the people of such a country are inferior because of that is like condemning a child for being 3 weeks behind another in its reading age. Cultures vary, but their peoples much less so.
if I was a starving kid in africa I would use it to develop a strategy to destroy my evil dictators causing my poverty, then I would use it to develop crops, electronics, in house i.t solutions and trade with the free world.
look at the asian guy ha he is asian. and shouldnt we giving those kids food and shelter just like demonwx10 i mean seriously if they are starving shouldnt we give them food instead of a computor which they well end up selling
books are more accessible and relevant and universal i didnt have nor need a laptop when i was a child and im sure not everyone and everywhere has internet acess
Oh! I remember this commercial! I gforgot it though and just right now noticed it was Masi Oka!! I'm a Heroes fan after I saw that commercial! Like about a year ago it was on I thing [the commercial]??
your view is the overwhelming stereotype for people of his calibre. But part of his greatness is his refusal to be bound by his genius to one type of life. He is just interested in having fun (as well as doing science on the side to keep his wits sharp), which probably leads to a more fulfilling life than most hardcore scientists. As long as hes happy, thats all that counts - his talents arent for the world to snatch
that is such a good idea but he is still the greatest actor ever and it isn't your choice to decide what career he does, besides he also continues to provide Industrial Light & Magic with technology for groundbreaking effects for more than 30 films.
Nice but who make the pensum for the kids? the government of each country or a supragovernment, who are teaching my kid, some transnational company?, is nice but...
yes yes its all great and a cute promoter... But OLPC Foundation has stopped the Give One Get One program. Is there ANYONE out there that is intereseted in just giving one? I have children of my own and would be willing to give 1 laptop per child I have IF I could BUY one for each of my own children... I will NOT jjust give away 1 OLPC for the fun of it!
this is sooo cool. that is a good idea. i wonder if they can get onto youtube on that thing.. that is really cool they can "instant message" others in the class or at home :) lol
Ok buddy I saw your video and then order it as a test before ordering a big order to fill 3 classrooms in a school. I was glad that we just tried the one first. Its March now and we still havent heard from this company at all. You can't reach them it's all through email and all the different 1-800 numbers they have are to a call center. So I think we were taken advantage of for sure. Just very glad that I didn't place the big order or else I would be lookign studip right now to alot of people.
Click on my profile and add your video as a reply to my change the world video. I am trying to get people to look at changing the world and this fits in perfectly.
a laptop is nothing without the software,internet and most of all electricity...build the infrastructure see if it can still be there after 2 years of ethnic cleansing,warlords,vandalism etc, then start givin them laptops
its for developing nations, where the phuk have you been the last 10 years, its the $100 laptop thing but its $200, looks like they didn't meet their price goal
I commend Masi Oka for supporting something he believes in, but for the $399 it costs to donate a laptop, you could probably feed a small village for about half a year in a third world country. I think there are more important things to worry about at home and abroad before we start worrying about laptops. Let's work on stopping world hunger first.
True, but remember, this is an educational issue. There are a lot of charity groups that donate food and medicine. But in comparison there aren't that many education oriented charity groups. Food and education are both needed - and for education, the OLPC is at least a start.
ok, I don't know if someone's already posted something similar but here's my two cents:
Why are rich celebrities hassling average joe's to donate laptops? Screw them, why can't they donate laptops? Can't all of these celebrities buy all of the laptops in the world for these children and let it be over with? What about the public schools in America without computers? Geez, when I was in school we were sooo grateful for our Windows '89 PCs.
How do you know that they don't? I assume Masi Oka haven't been paid for this. So he donated his face, on which normally image-rights rest. Also, how do you know they don't? Especially those gadget-crazy Asians? (just kiddin'). Also, there are only so many rich people. There are way more modal-income-people who together can do more than all wealthy people combined. Also, it's a very weak argument to point at others while you can make the difference. If everyone does that, nothing will get done.
Everyone gets paid. Non-profit organizations, charities, whatever, people are getting paid. If not, they get a tremendous tax break. It's all for personal/professional gain. As far as the population; there are pently of wealthy people in this world. It's just the majority of them don't show it. The old couple down the street that live like peasants have a million bucks in the bank. And I'm not exaggerating, there are people like that, at least people I know.
Your profile says that you're a 20 year old, I don't want to pin-point you, but your statements sound like they are coming from someone who is very naive, or from someone well off financially. I'm not sure how the gov't works where you're from, but I'm sure when you have to pay rent, bills and taxes (taxes that in America, the wealthy get a break from), I'm sure you'll be singing the same tune as me. And no disrespect.
I think I know where you're coming from. But I think I just have more faith in mankind than you. This commercial is just a small amount of trouble voor Oka. Also, it would be kind of hard to explain for him if he said he was paid for doing this. From my opinion it's just to easy to point at the wealthy en say that they should do it.
I mean, where do you draw the line? We have more money that the very poor folks that can't afford internet. We also have more money than the people the OLPC is for. From what amount of money on you bankaccount should you engage in donating or investing into charity-initiatives?
I say: If you can spare some, and care, than you should give. Nobody is forcing anybody. They're just bringing out the massage that there is a need, and that you can provide it, if you want.
Celebs do donate. more then you. if you donated .1% of your income thats cool. celebs might only donate that much but at least they donate something. do you donate?
Like the earlier commenters said, "teach a man to fish..."
Imagine if you could simply look up how to dig a well, how to make a solar still and purify water, how to make a loom to produce textiles, diagnose medical problems, plant, care for, and ROTATE various crops to get the most out of the land... What if all of that was one search query away for these people? They could start to fend for themselves instead of needing endless charity.
It can be argued that the technology has not existed long enough yet for someone on their XO to, for example, write a piece of poetry that will live on in the schools of literature. Computers are tools, just like a quill, the innovation and invention comes from the users of those tools. If such great things can be created without laptops, then what can be created with the aid of laptops?
Instead of wasting all this money on laptops for people living in huts and dying of hunger, how about if we just educate them on running businesses and getting their fair share in the global economy? Somebody who makes pottery in Kenya might have their work sold in New York City or London. Somebody who grows rice in their village in East Asia can sell it to market on the global commodity markets...
Wow, what a brilliantly ignorant analysis of the cause. Maybe it's because they NOT living in huts and dying of hunger? Realize not all developing countries are at the brink of starvation and survival. It's for kids. It's *precisely* so they become connected to the world at large, understand it, and perhaps later contribute. That's better than readying them already to make pots and rice the rest of their lives.
Before we give laptops to children in developing nations, we should make sure schoolchildren in our own country have laptops. I am currently in high school in Louisiana,and none of the students have laptops. We sure could use them...
well, in latin american developing countries, they kinda DO have electricity. what they're lacking are supplies, funds, decent teaching wages, furniture... all the basics to actually _teach_. people shouldn't just dimiss initiatives like this without at least giving them a shot.
Ask Bob Geldof, who staged concerts for starving Africans. When he and Bono went to deliver the goods, the governments prevented much of the food from getting to the people. Part of the problem is to conquer ignorance. It sounds like a lot of you here need some education yourselves, since you can seem to get past your own ignorance.
Is the U.S. & U.K. *supposed* to make sure everyone in the world has food and water? No! It's up to those people to learn for themselves how to get it. The majority of the reasons why there is starvation in the world is through ignorance and corrupt governments. Even if food and water were dropped on every starving nation, the poor would not get it because their governments would prevent it.
In Africa for instance we could dig a well ($75) build a church/house ($100) (my family did this through a friend who lives in Africa) we could vaccinate an entire village ($100) fully train a village health worker ($50) buy 2 goats ($70)
and still have $5 dollars left to spend on what ever (maybe a cup of coffee to celebrate)
Thats an awesome idea, you should spend the $400 in a way that you feel is best suited to help people in 3rd world countries. But why discourage others from helping in the way they feel is best?
4th I just found out that these laptops are $400 u.s. dollars for two. (one isn't even going to a kid who needs one ) lets say we used this 400 dollars for something else.
The "Give One, Get One" deal is to get more people interested. This way they're getting something as well as giving something. People can also spend $200 to just give one as well. Ultimately, the "Give One Get One" will foster more interest and more donations overall.
3rd although education is extremely important, (I owe a lot to it) these laptops will only be useful to people (I say people because I think that this program would be better directed towards young adults) who can understand its potential for education.
1st when you don't have infrastructure to support a basic standard of life, this kind of technology is useless; it becomes a target for theft.
2nd you have to realize that it is a western (American) ideology that thinks one piece of technology will make life better. (i.e. the big house, big car theory or "the magic weight loss pill")
These laptops are given to communities that already have the infrastructure but lack the teaching resources that these laptops provide.
Overall, my point is that there are immediate pressing problems, yes, and there should be effort to stop them. But that doesn't mean this program should be shut down or limited. This program is pushing less tangible long term goals: the self-sustainability of developing communities through education.
I would like to make the point that hunger is A HUGE problem, which kills! HOWEVER you can not die from lack of education (in the western scene of the word- I'm not talking about basic life skills) . When you are one of the 21 children that die every minute in the world, knowing about history or even how to spell is no longer important!
It is lack of education that is the root of many other problems. If you don't know how to spell or do math, you do not have the basic skills needed to support yourself in the real world. Sure, if you know how to farm you can make enough crops to feed your family. If you can learn how to farm efficiently, you can increase your crop output and sell some to make money for your family. Hunger is the effect, not the cause of poverty, which in turn is the result of lack of education.
Stop missing the point people! The "Just give them food!" comments. (These people seem to not even have read anything about OLPC.) A community is chosen to try this with, adults are educated on use, they set up a wireless network. The computer's battery can be recharged with a solar panel or a pull cord. It's a great idea. Kids will learn insanely- yes there ARE kids who like to learn. Often they are ones who don't get the chance. It'll open up tons of possibilities. With knowledge comes POWER!
There is so much corruption in the world, that these kids are getting food stolen right out of there mouths. What makes you think that these $100 dollar these lap tops aren't going to get stolen?
One failure in the culture of wealthy nations is to group all people in developing countries as a single entity. Not all children in third world countries are starving, beaten, and abused. Of course, too many are, and that is a crisis in itself. However, these laptops are distributed in places where the infrastructure is set well enough for the laptops to be effective (such as in schools that are set up well, but lack teaching resources.)
yes this is true but also you have to realize that it is a western (American) ideology that thinks one piece of technology will make life better. (i.e. the big house, big car theory or "the magic weight loss pill")
um I love you masi oka, ur kawai and stuff, but I think most of them prefer food :P maybe start a charity which helps poor children with high IQ's develop their skills so their intelligence won't go to waste!
My 12 year old son gave the most poignant response when he and I discussed these last night. I suggested the kids will be able to see the world. He said "the world will see THEM, too." It was a brilliant point I admit I'd been ignorant of.
He is right, there will be more awareness of marganalized populations. Think of the possibilities of seeing from the ground how bad it is in Etheopia or pollution in China with bloggers who would otherwise not be able to publish their observations.
Considering the fact that many children in 3rd world countries do not live in homes that possess electricity, let alone running water or indoor plumbing, I rather doubt that they will see the benefits of this program.
Your kid makes a good point. I do think that the idea (1 lap top for every child) is an idea that will work (those who can afford to give i.e. the wealthy, will. because it is a "cool" idea) However a "lap top" is not a priority in 90% of these kids lives right now.
Some friends and I donated 55 u.s. dollars to a kid in Africa, he Got to keep $5 and the other $50 fed the town (hundreds of people ) for THREE DAYS!
While I see your point, I disagree. Our idea of a laptop is for games, boredom, general luxury. However, these laptops are providing for education. Not only to they hold programs that foster critical thinking skills, they connect children (and adults) to the VAST pool of information that is the internet (such as wikipedia.)
Also, simply because there are other issues in the world doesn't mean we should ignore this one. Also, laptops provide something that a cash donation doesn't--long term investment. While feeding a town for three days is important, it does not help them support themselves in the long run. These laptops help provide the education needed for these towns to support themselves. "Give a man a fish and he'll eat for a day, teach a man to fish and he'll never be hungry again."
wow, you are ignorant. The digital divide is just as serious as famine and drought.
Human capital isn't just food, it's knowledge. If a kid doesn't get food, ze will die. But if ze doesn't have access to wikipedia, ze is as good as dead in this age. The only thing they will have to offer is manual labor - a cruel life that could be averted with projects like OLPC.
the digital divide doesn't exist outside of highly developed countries - and as such this is a stupid idea - have you ever been to a country that is not highly developed - for more than a week? don't call people ignorant - this is a stupid idea - STUPID!!!!
You really don't get it do you?. Education is key for developing nations. these laptops are not for kids in developing nations to access youtube or anything, they are used as teaching tools.
to help people in developing nations pick themselves up and create a better world. it has everything to do with Education!
OLPC - stupidist idea ever - however i am now going to start OTPC - one television per child so that every child can watch heros at 9 eastern no matter where they might be - ah progress - COME ON - its EDUCATION people!
I'm hating that people are giving laptops to these people..they don't want to play video games and surf the web..they want to LIVE..Give them food, water, clothes. They don't give a damn about laptops. I would throw that away if I was living in Africa. It's useless.
luckysister2 2 weeks ago
How about getting them clean water and food first? Then I will talk about laptops for starving nations... porn...
CaptainDishman 3 months ago
This is also our Good Life Mission's hope - to have for our children the necessary tools of education, which presently we don't have. But we remain hopeful.
MotherLeena 6 months ago
There is 1500+ student in my school and we have one Piii computer.
Still we didnt get a CD rom. any one pls send us a used CD rom.
If you can do it pls send us a email !! We will send your CD rom back to you as soon as possible
shehani0nline@yahoo.com
shehani0nline 10 months ago
I forget one of these.
I thought it would go BIG
daplayer 1 year ago
children can learn without laptops
i do
vivlevivle 1 year ago
Paper. Cheap, requires no power or batteries, never crashes, portable, expandable, lasts 100,000x longer than magnetic media, instant on, sortable, handles graphics and color and fonts of any size or text of any language with ease, duplicate it, you can send messages on it globally, even compress it, recycle it. Sponsor my: "One Pack of Index Cards" per child program. For the cost of one useless junky plastic toxic breakable OLPC you can buy 100,000 index cards, or enough for 100 children.
ANARCHYdashTVdotCOM 1 year ago
This has been flagged as spam show
@ANARCHYdashTVdotCOM Paper, once it gets wet it can't be used, once it gets dirty it can't be read or written on, lasts for only two uses - one on each side, requires slaughtered forests to be made and creates toxic chemicals when recycled, 1000 index cards won't last or have the functionality anywhere near an XO laptop, can't be used for long-distance communication, can't be used for research purposes, requires extra peripherals to write with, can't record and playback speech or video.
Mentocthemindtaker 1 year ago
WOOHOOOO MASI!
foodbug 1 year ago
This has been flagged as spam show
an excellent idea on how to drop an ear in the third world, and make shit loads of money, of coooooooourse!!!!
zoobizzit 1 year ago
i think i saw this on disney channel wtf?
they need food and other essentials besides they have no internet what good is a laptop without internet?
shadowkunai12 2 years ago
@shadowkunai12 OLPC is a peer2peer machine using mesh , they have networking even if none of them has Internet, but if one of them connect to Internet it will act as a proxy/gateway for the others. In short, it's the original design of tcp/ip made for sharing before Microsoft made the world to a client/server model where central servers are needed for communication. A windows box should not work of course, since they all get virus that load the network while others must get updates one by one.
bbatnorsborg 1 year ago
go hiro nakamura
Webkid110 2 years ago
They need to rethink the whole program, like many are saying, these people have bigger problems than needing a computer. And seriously, they make it seem like a pc is like a vaccine for poverty and ignorance. Maybe they need to look at how many idiots are on the internet and see computers aren't making the world smarter in general. Please tell me we have smarter people out there that can come up with better ideas than this.
greyfoxzero 2 years ago 3
@greyfoxzero This is one mans project to bring technology that many take for granted to parts of the world where many have not even seen this technology. There are people out there giving vaccines and medicines (i.e. The Fred Hollows Foundation) and there are people and organisations out there helping to grow crops and establish food reserves.
The project shouldn't be criticised because "these people have bigger problems". That's as narrow minded as saying "they don't deserve technology".
Mentocthemindtaker 1 year ago
Masi Oka, true man!
ShadesAtKnight 2 years ago
These laptops are being melted down for their precious metals by the dictators ruling these African nations.
GaseousAnomaly001 2 years ago
@GaseousAnomaly001 proof or it didn't happen.
Mentocthemindtaker 1 year ago
@Mentocthemindtaker The truth of this statement is not predicated upon how much I care about saving you a quick Google search. Do it yourself.
GaseousAnomaly001 1 year ago
@GaseousAnomaly001 I did several google searches and failed to find ANYTHING relating to governments seizing or melting down XO laptops in any countries, let alone African ones. Ironically Uruguay's government (one of the most corrupt in the world) became actively involved in ensuring that students got full access to the XO's as soon as possible after the laptop's release.
Perhaps you should do some research before making biased statements.
Mentocthemindtaker 1 year ago
@Mentocthemindtaker I'm sorry, I thought it would be mainstream, but I guess not. That's what sucks about personal experience, you know.
GaseousAnomaly001 1 year ago
they dont have theachers! they dont know how to read! how do this people expect that they can use a laptop? I hate this kind of humans that are more and more dependent of machines!!!
daveboris 2 years ago
@daveboris I think you'll find that the laptops are being provided to established areas where they do have teachers, if not schools. Also, just because they are poor does not mean they can't read.
Mentocthemindtaker 1 year ago
@Mentocthemindtaker that's not the point. We dont need laptops to learn! I know much people that dont know how to use a computer and they are very inteligent. Computers tend to make us more like machines. We are losing our human characteristics and we are becoming more like machines. This childrem live in a place more natural than hus. They dont have Ipods, mp3, laptops, bluetooth, video games, etc. And thats a very good think because this tecnology handcuff people. It's just my point of view
daveboris 1 year ago
@daveboris I apologise if I came on too strong. I respect your opinion and agree that students don't NEED laptops to become educated. I don't think this makes the OLPC program a bad thing though. The truth is that as a species we are becoming much more closely linked with others in every part of the world. As such we are now sharing technologies - and countries that have no access to these technologies are only going to fall farther and farther behind in terms of global development.
Mentocthemindtaker 1 year ago
@Mentocthemindtaker and sorry for some mistake in my english. I am from Portugal. all the best
daveboris 1 year ago
they dont need laptops! they need food, water, a good house and good books.
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freelaptop1234 2 years ago
food water and shelter are not just important aspects of life. they are the foundation upon which all other possibilities of development are built. if someone is starving, what do they care about msn? these people need to be able to drink water that hasn't had livestock urinating in it far more than the need to check email!! the money wasted on these projects could have been better spent teaching them to enrich the soil for better agriculture or how to purify their water. what a JOKE!!
clutterfish 2 years ago
If they are educated, THEY CAN BUILD THOSE THEMSELVES, and they won't be dependent on outside sources to help them. Teach a man to fish.
axelasdf 2 years ago
i appreciate the teach a man to fish concept, really. my problem is simple; the money spent to hand out what is a luxury good could be far more effectively spent teaching these people how to build and support their infrastructure. if they don't have proper sanitation and water, a consistent food supply, durable shelter, and reliable electricity, there is no point even trying to teach them anything else. a laptop isn't going to help these people learn to build homes or run water mains.
clutterfish 2 years ago
Who is to say that It won't? Educated people see the reason to have such structures. What is the point of telling them that "Their Water is bad" if they don't understand that it is the microbes and pollutants that cause it, and that they can fix the problem? Why should they have to depend on others? Why would they trust the people that want to help them?
Secondly: This program is secondary, something that is brought in after food and water are established. This allows continuing forwards
axelasdf 2 years ago
they don't need to be told their water is bad. they already know. what i'm saying is the money wasted on this program could have been much better spent sending over experts in each necessary area (agriculture, sanitation, water supply, construction, etc.) and providing supplies to get them started. later assistance on developing their own natural resources in a way they can sustain indefinitely. simply giving them laptops isn't going to do any of this. we need to educate them first to
clutterfish 2 years ago
satisfy the basic physiological needs, then to solve the issues of security and self protection. everything else depends upon those two concepts being firmly and effectively in place. google maslow's hierarchy of need. maybe that will help explain my point. self actualization is impossible if you're hungry.
clutterfish 2 years ago
@clutterfish
For those that have their basic needs met, this program can bring the people up to a point where they can help others. Teach a man to teach a man to fish.
axelasdf 5 months ago
Food, water, and shelter are all important aspects of life, but education is the driving force that provides and supplies those three aspects of life. For example, spoon-feeding a helpless baby makes sense, so that it can get its basic nutrition, however, eventually that baby must know how to use a spoon so that it can eat on its own. That's just an example.
Hooray for inexpensive plastic laptops powered by the sun!
Jh5kRadio 2 years ago
where would they learn to spell, where will they get internet, where will they get energy, and dont they need other things more, and why one per child, one per household will help better
YouHaveMetYourMaker 2 years ago
I'm shocked at the stupidity and ignorance of too many of the comments here. Louis XVI and Marie-Antoinette would have been pushed to be so crass.
ireneshusband 2 years ago
funny commercial
ZZuppi 2 years ago
Comment removed
Goosesteps 2 years ago
I bet that the laptops they're using can't go on MySpace LOL!
hall47 2 years ago
Yes they can. I ran the 'Sugar on a Stick' software (which is the same software the XO-1 uses) on my desktop and the web browser handled every web page I threw at it, including the web-based MSN Messenger and my bank's home page. Of course, everyone uses Facebook now....
fixman88 2 years ago
Dont they need food and water more than a laptop...
millsy1804 2 years ago
finally some sense
I'm surprised your comment got two thumbs down...
*thumbs up*
iLoseTechnology 2 years ago
This comment has received too many negative votes show
But dont poor people not have electricity.
heilong79 2 years ago
First, that it's a generalization, there are a lot of poor people who has access to electricity. The OLPC machine was going to have a system witch allows the battery to be charged by a hand-crank generator. Unfortunately it didn't get to be on the final release.
CapitanNSama 2 years ago 2
They run on solar power.
Sarraahh15 2 years ago 2
YAAATAAAA!
ThePurpleKyler 2 years ago 4
a book can cost 100
this laptop cost 100 but have unlimited information in it via internet ,it is a life saver for the poor and thrist for kwodlege
chinaliew 2 years ago 14
OK listen up!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
the cause for this is not give a child a laptop like a dell or MAC
these laptops are like books with kidpixs
the children can learn and be creative
NateAdkinsBand 3 years ago
I wish I could stop time.
MrDeverill 3 years ago
nice sentiment but wouldnt this start a huge crimewave of mugging kids for their laptops.
trigga1uk 3 years ago
the laptop is 100 dollars, not very expensive.
Draxius 3 years ago
Nakamura Hiro San!!
JayEm7516 3 years ago
Just like Exerci said: Because they need education. It's pretty much a measure of "Give a man a fish, and he'll be sated for one day, teach him to fish, and he'll be sated for the rest of his life."
Giving them food is a shortsighted solution, and so is giving them clean water. As is they have no way to live without support from Europe+USA+Aussieland. If we just keep giving them water and food, that will never change. If we give them education, give them tools to learn with, they stand a chance
Maku000 3 years ago 3
dude you read my mind 101% . thats all true give a man a fish, and he will eat for a day. But teach him how to fish and he will eat his entire life.
NateAdkinsBand 3 years ago
yea, but when we have to educate the whole of africa dosent it feel a little patronising. If they cant work out what the rest of the world learnt a long time ago maybe they dont deserve any help. I am more than willing to help someone who has been unlucky (disease,natural disaster etc) but stupidity - they are on their own.
trigga1uk 3 years ago
Excuse me, have you heard of a little something called colonialism, which helped "the rest of the world" learn, develop long time ago at the expense of the African continent? America is built by European immigrants as well as the African slaves who were the best, strongest men and women of that continent captured by European slave traders and brought here. But if you don't buy it, know this: today noone is independent, diseases, extremist groups, civil wars gar away will eventually affect you.
nevetna 3 years ago 3
dude ur just a fvking hypocrite! what do u mean by stupidity? poor doesnt mean stupid its not their fault to be poor, i bet some of them could use the resources way better than u if they had the chances
what u r doesnt giv u any right to look down on other race
u are just one of those guys who makes me sick... nevetnas right... man u r so UNEDUCATED
doudou31 2 years ago 3
btw this is a reply to
trigga1uk's comment
doudou31 2 years ago
i have travelled to many nations and certainly not regard myself as uneducated. I enjoy traditional places who are content with a more basic life, but it is places that strive to achieve the western lifestyle and fail simply because they are not graced with the ability to achieve it. And the difference between rich and poor is not reserved to economic factors. I have met many natives of the pacific islands, have little money but are very happy, therefore people never regard them as poor.
trigga1uk 2 years ago
look at anthropological history of various nations, the likes of the chinese who invented gunpowder and built the great wall of china. This modern day racial communism where people want to insist we are all the same is total nonsense. And why would you regard me as a hipocrit. It is the likes of places like uganda and zimbabwe, where the native people look upon the immigrants with envy, so they throw them out and then the economy collapses. And look into average IQ's of various nations.
trigga1uk 2 years ago
sorry. accidentally thumb-downed your comment doudou31. meant to thumb it up.
homo sapiens has been around for 30000 years or so. the industrial age is not a whole lot more than 200 years old. many of the countries we are talking about are already industrialised to a significant degree. to say that the people of such a country are inferior because of that is like condemning a child for being 3 weeks behind another in its reading age. Cultures vary, but their peoples much less so.
ireneshusband 2 years ago
natural Selection k thx.
NyteMarE757 3 years ago
where the hell do they plus the laptop in?
DeathWatch13 3 years ago
if I was a starving kid in africa I would use it to develop a strategy to destroy my evil dictators causing my poverty, then I would use it to develop crops, electronics, in house i.t solutions and trade with the free world.
bsmithaz 3 years ago 2
thats the difference,thats how people in the western world think, it comes natural to us. Ive been to africa, common sense is a rare gift.
trigga1uk 3 years ago
look at the asian guy ha he is asian. and shouldnt we giving those kids food and shelter just like demonwx10 i mean seriously if they are starving shouldnt we give them food instead of a computor which they well end up selling
sonom777 3 years ago
This comment has received too many negative votes show
He sounds like he smokes WAYYYYYYY to much
WowTurlane 3 years ago
books are more accessible and relevant and universal i didnt have nor need a laptop when i was a child and im sure not everyone and everywhere has internet acess
coopdeviants 3 years ago
yatttaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa looool
identifname 3 years ago
HIRO LOL.
NerdGirlCartoonist94 3 years ago
Why don't you just buy one laptop and give two to the kids that need it?
ImTheMostViewed 3 years ago 2
too expensive
5botball 3 years ago
I think they would like an air conditioner and big screen plasma tv better
ashlescats 3 years ago
Oh! I remember this commercial! I gforgot it though and just right now noticed it was Masi Oka!! I'm a Heroes fan after I saw that commercial! Like about a year ago it was on I thing [the commercial]??
WabblyWabble 3 years ago
yeah but if i was a starving child in Africa I would sell the laptop for things i need for survival such as food and shelter
demonwx10 3 years ago
true say
yoyo2112 3 years ago
YATTAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHH!!!
sotonggurl91 3 years ago
OMFG ITS HIRO!!!
where is ando...
elitechad255 3 years ago 2
YATTA!!!
dothack2 3 years ago
YATTA!
IAMHIRONAKAMURA 3 years ago 8
lol
sebastian932 3 years ago
he worked for ilm
sworkles 3 years ago
your view is the overwhelming stereotype for people of his calibre. But part of his greatness is his refusal to be bound by his genius to one type of life. He is just interested in having fun (as well as doing science on the side to keep his wits sharp), which probably leads to a more fulfilling life than most hardcore scientists. As long as hes happy, thats all that counts - his talents arent for the world to snatch
sdwipster 3 years ago
there is none like him!
ilikemasioka 3 years ago
that is such a good idea but he is still the greatest actor ever and it isn't your choice to decide what career he does, besides he also continues to provide Industrial Light & Magic with technology for groundbreaking effects for more than 30 films.
ilikemasioka 3 years ago
Nice but who make the pensum for the kids? the government of each country or a supragovernment, who are teaching my kid, some transnational company?, is nice but...
Odiseonline 3 years ago
there's a crank that you can put on the laptop which you can manually power the laptop by just cranking it with your hands/feet my friend has one
Fuzzyx3000 3 years ago
oh and theres also a solar panel for solar power ;x
Fuzzyx3000 3 years ago
they sell it for 140
and it doesn't have the same features as windows
SonicXStyle 3 years ago
This comment has received too many negative votes show
You're right... Where should they get electricity... maybe some batteries?...
I think they should get water... and something other... condoms are necessary too, because AIDS! Hm...
But... Masi Oka is although cute x33
Wollefuzzel 3 years ago
sweet!
hatesasuke 3 years ago
yes yes its all great and a cute promoter... But OLPC Foundation has stopped the Give One Get One program. Is there ANYONE out there that is intereseted in just giving one? I have children of my own and would be willing to give 1 laptop per child I have IF I could BUY one for each of my own children... I will NOT jjust give away 1 OLPC for the fun of it!
Lacresh 3 years ago
unfortunately, this is most peoples attitudes. They really should start up the G1G1 program again.
gohan32 3 years ago
Are you kidding? I want one of these awesome things for myself? You're right btw.
ReikiH 3 years ago
Rawr...
Masayori Oka... <33
He's so cute<33 ^^
Wollefuzzel 3 years ago
My Science class actually donated money for this program. We got ours, and it's cool.
Born2killx 3 years ago
this is sooo cool. that is a good idea. i wonder if they can get onto youtube on that thing.. that is really cool they can "instant message" others in the class or at home :) lol
iMaxxxxx 3 years ago
Ok buddy I saw your video and then order it as a test before ordering a big order to fill 3 classrooms in a school. I was glad that we just tried the one first. Its March now and we still havent heard from this company at all. You can't reach them it's all through email and all the different 1-800 numbers they have are to a call center. So I think we were taken advantage of for sure. Just very glad that I didn't place the big order or else I would be lookign studip right now to alot of people.
dct1ca 3 years ago
Click on my profile and add your video as a reply to my change the world video. I am trying to get people to look at changing the world and this fits in perfectly.
Avrom
Big Shot Live!
Community Developer
BigShotChangeWorld 3 years ago
a laptop is nothing without the software,internet and most of all electricity...build the infrastructure see if it can still be there after 2 years of ethnic cleansing,warlords,vandalism etc, then start givin them laptops
deviltofu 4 years ago
MASI OKA!!!!!!!!!!
jackrssl 4 years ago
its for developing nations, where the phuk have you been the last 10 years, its the $100 laptop thing but its $200, looks like they didn't meet their price goal
rongoda 4 years ago
what about libraries? people do still go to libraries don't they?
philphie 4 years ago 2
are they saying to donate a really good laptop to someone else, and they'll send us a crappy one?
Meanderthal17 4 years ago
I commend Masi Oka for supporting something he believes in, but for the $399 it costs to donate a laptop, you could probably feed a small village for about half a year in a third world country. I think there are more important things to worry about at home and abroad before we start worrying about laptops. Let's work on stopping world hunger first.
KittyfishKayde 4 years ago
True, but remember, this is an educational issue. There are a lot of charity groups that donate food and medicine. But in comparison there aren't that many education oriented charity groups. Food and education are both needed - and for education, the OLPC is at least a start.
comicbookguy007 4 years ago
i think this is one of the greatest charity projects that has happened in the last 10 years,
BUT do you not think the parents are going to use them instead?
RedRaven555 4 years ago
Those keyboards are designed for a child to use. They're not designed for big adult hands.
And, I'm fairly sure that, even in a third-world country, a parent still wants what is best for their child. They're human too, you know.
elixwhitetail 4 years ago
ok, I don't know if someone's already posted something similar but here's my two cents:
Why are rich celebrities hassling average joe's to donate laptops? Screw them, why can't they donate laptops? Can't all of these celebrities buy all of the laptops in the world for these children and let it be over with? What about the public schools in America without computers? Geez, when I was in school we were sooo grateful for our Windows '89 PCs.
sireland21 4 years ago
Be don't take this post to be insensitive, I find it frustraiting when millionaires demand for people to donate money.
sireland21 4 years ago
How do you know that they don't? I assume Masi Oka haven't been paid for this. So he donated his face, on which normally image-rights rest. Also, how do you know they don't? Especially those gadget-crazy Asians? (just kiddin'). Also, there are only so many rich people. There are way more modal-income-people who together can do more than all wealthy people combined. Also, it's a very weak argument to point at others while you can make the difference. If everyone does that, nothing will get done.
kenjuma 4 years ago
Everyone gets paid. Non-profit organizations, charities, whatever, people are getting paid. If not, they get a tremendous tax break. It's all for personal/professional gain. As far as the population; there are pently of wealthy people in this world. It's just the majority of them don't show it. The old couple down the street that live like peasants have a million bucks in the bank. And I'm not exaggerating, there are people like that, at least people I know.
sireland21 4 years ago
Your profile says that you're a 20 year old, I don't want to pin-point you, but your statements sound like they are coming from someone who is very naive, or from someone well off financially. I'm not sure how the gov't works where you're from, but I'm sure when you have to pay rent, bills and taxes (taxes that in America, the wealthy get a break from), I'm sure you'll be singing the same tune as me. And no disrespect.
sireland21 4 years ago
I think I know where you're coming from. But I think I just have more faith in mankind than you. This commercial is just a small amount of trouble voor Oka. Also, it would be kind of hard to explain for him if he said he was paid for doing this. From my opinion it's just to easy to point at the wealthy en say that they should do it.
kenjuma 4 years ago
I mean, where do you draw the line? We have more money that the very poor folks that can't afford internet. We also have more money than the people the OLPC is for. From what amount of money on you bankaccount should you engage in donating or investing into charity-initiatives?
I say: If you can spare some, and care, than you should give. Nobody is forcing anybody. They're just bringing out the massage that there is a need, and that you can provide it, if you want.
kenjuma 4 years ago
Celebs do donate. more then you. if you donated .1% of your income thats cool. celebs might only donate that much but at least they donate something. do you donate?
jdmaginn 3 years ago
Like the earlier commenters said, "teach a man to fish..."
Imagine if you could simply look up how to dig a well, how to make a solar still and purify water, how to make a loom to produce textiles, diagnose medical problems, plant, care for, and ROTATE various crops to get the most out of the land... What if all of that was one search query away for these people? They could start to fend for themselves instead of needing endless charity.
dojomojomofo 4 years ago
HIRO NAKAMURA I LOVE YOU!
kookiemonstur911 4 years ago
The greatest inventions ever created were done without laptops! The best writings, the best poems, the best books not done on a laptop.
truthsaber7 4 years ago
It can be argued that the technology has not existed long enough yet for someone on their XO to, for example, write a piece of poetry that will live on in the schools of literature. Computers are tools, just like a quill, the innovation and invention comes from the users of those tools. If such great things can be created without laptops, then what can be created with the aid of laptops?
LobsterSundew 4 years ago 3
I want one
brahmazoo 4 years ago
I love the concept
krazykizza 4 years ago
how smart is that !
Xiylinte 4 years ago
he is my hero. this genius is going to change the world we live in. Mark my words.
luque73 4 years ago 4
Instead of wasting all this money on laptops for people living in huts and dying of hunger, how about if we just educate them on running businesses and getting their fair share in the global economy? Somebody who makes pottery in Kenya might have their work sold in New York City or London. Somebody who grows rice in their village in East Asia can sell it to market on the global commodity markets...
albyva 4 years ago 4
Wow, what a brilliantly ignorant analysis of the cause. Maybe it's because they NOT living in huts and dying of hunger? Realize not all developing countries are at the brink of starvation and survival. It's for kids. It's *precisely* so they become connected to the world at large, understand it, and perhaps later contribute. That's better than readying them already to make pots and rice the rest of their lives.
foxdragoon84 4 years ago 13
learn to read about which nations are actually being offered these laptops then get back to us
mRipX 4 years ago 2
Mikma should be here!
jdunk2145 4 years ago
Before we give laptops to children in developing nations, we should make sure schoolchildren in our own country have laptops. I am currently in high school in Louisiana,and none of the students have laptops. We sure could use them...
demonsword55 4 years ago 3
Do you have computer access at all? Do you have ELECTRICITY?
elixwhitetail 4 years ago
well, in latin american developing countries, they kinda DO have electricity. what they're lacking are supplies, funds, decent teaching wages, furniture... all the basics to actually _teach_. people shouldn't just dimiss initiatives like this without at least giving them a shot.
aeronene 4 years ago 3
Give them food an they will always ask for food.. Educate them and they will find food for themselves.
looweeb 4 years ago 3
That was a clever comment!
MUnibiker 4 years ago
Hiro!
DizzyDuckMan 4 years ago 6
Ask Bob Geldof, who staged concerts for starving Africans. When he and Bono went to deliver the goods, the governments prevented much of the food from getting to the people. Part of the problem is to conquer ignorance. It sounds like a lot of you here need some education yourselves, since you can seem to get past your own ignorance.
ArtifactAttic 4 years ago
Is the U.S. & U.K. *supposed* to make sure everyone in the world has food and water? No! It's up to those people to learn for themselves how to get it. The majority of the reasons why there is starvation in the world is through ignorance and corrupt governments. Even if food and water were dropped on every starving nation, the poor would not get it because their governments would prevent it.
ArtifactAttic 4 years ago
In Africa for instance we could dig a well ($75) build a church/house ($100) (my family did this through a friend who lives in Africa) we could vaccinate an entire village ($100) fully train a village health worker ($50) buy 2 goats ($70)
and still have $5 dollars left to spend on what ever (maybe a cup of coffee to celebrate)
potatochip1 4 years ago 5
Thats an awesome idea, you should spend the $400 in a way that you feel is best suited to help people in 3rd world countries. But why discourage others from helping in the way they feel is best?
henage 4 years ago
4th I just found out that these laptops are $400 u.s. dollars for two. (one isn't even going to a kid who needs one ) lets say we used this 400 dollars for something else.
potatochip1 4 years ago 2
The "Give One, Get One" deal is to get more people interested. This way they're getting something as well as giving something. People can also spend $200 to just give one as well. Ultimately, the "Give One Get One" will foster more interest and more donations overall.
wingsoffire451 4 years ago
3rd although education is extremely important, (I owe a lot to it) these laptops will only be useful to people (I say people because I think that this program would be better directed towards young adults) who can understand its potential for education.
potatochip1 4 years ago 2
1st when you don't have infrastructure to support a basic standard of life, this kind of technology is useless; it becomes a target for theft.
2nd you have to realize that it is a western (American) ideology that thinks one piece of technology will make life better. (i.e. the big house, big car theory or "the magic weight loss pill")
potatochip1 4 years ago 2
These laptops are given to communities that already have the infrastructure but lack the teaching resources that these laptops provide.
Overall, my point is that there are immediate pressing problems, yes, and there should be effort to stop them. But that doesn't mean this program should be shut down or limited. This program is pushing less tangible long term goals: the self-sustainability of developing communities through education.
wingsoffire451 4 years ago
I would like to make the point that hunger is A HUGE problem, which kills! HOWEVER you can not die from lack of education (in the western scene of the word- I'm not talking about basic life skills) . When you are one of the 21 children that die every minute in the world, knowing about history or even how to spell is no longer important!
potatochip1 4 years ago
It is lack of education that is the root of many other problems. If you don't know how to spell or do math, you do not have the basic skills needed to support yourself in the real world. Sure, if you know how to farm you can make enough crops to feed your family. If you can learn how to farm efficiently, you can increase your crop output and sell some to make money for your family. Hunger is the effect, not the cause of poverty, which in turn is the result of lack of education.
wingsoffire451 4 years ago
HIRO!!!!!!! I love Masi Oka!
badugi 4 years ago
what i don't understand is that Google goes overseas, gives all this money and technologies to foreign countries, and HIRE foreigners over Americans.
ribcat 4 years ago
Stop missing the point people! The "Just give them food!" comments. (These people seem to not even have read anything about OLPC.) A community is chosen to try this with, adults are educated on use, they set up a wireless network. The computer's battery can be recharged with a solar panel or a pull cord. It's a great idea. Kids will learn insanely- yes there ARE kids who like to learn. Often they are ones who don't get the chance. It'll open up tons of possibilities. With knowledge comes POWER!
anicake 4 years ago
There is so much corruption in the world, that these kids are getting food stolen right out of there mouths. What makes you think that these $100 dollar these lap tops aren't going to get stolen?
potatochip1 4 years ago 2
One failure in the culture of wealthy nations is to group all people in developing countries as a single entity. Not all children in third world countries are starving, beaten, and abused. Of course, too many are, and that is a crisis in itself. However, these laptops are distributed in places where the infrastructure is set well enough for the laptops to be effective (such as in schools that are set up well, but lack teaching resources.)
wingsoffire451 4 years ago
yes this is true but also you have to realize that it is a western (American) ideology that thinks one piece of technology will make life better. (i.e. the big house, big car theory or "the magic weight loss pill")
potatochip1 4 years ago
um I love you masi oka, ur kawai and stuff, but I think most of them prefer food :P maybe start a charity which helps poor children with high IQ's develop their skills so their intelligence won't go to waste!
ewfq 4 years ago 3
Why dont we just give them food...
dJw1ng 4 years ago
They shouldn't be - OLPC is a non-profit organization but there is probably a bunch of high up people making a lot of money.
neelradhakrishnan 4 years ago
My 12 year old son gave the most poignant response when he and I discussed these last night. I suggested the kids will be able to see the world. He said "the world will see THEM, too." It was a brilliant point I admit I'd been ignorant of.
tresac 4 years ago 2
He is right, there will be more awareness of marganalized populations. Think of the possibilities of seeing from the ground how bad it is in Etheopia or pollution in China with bloggers who would otherwise not be able to publish their observations.
aquamammal 4 years ago
Considering the fact that many children in 3rd world countries do not live in homes that possess electricity, let alone running water or indoor plumbing, I rather doubt that they will see the benefits of this program.
ArtWench 4 years ago
the laptop has a solar panel charger and can connect to the internet wherever you are
sonicinbrawl1 4 years ago
Your kid makes a good point. I do think that the idea (1 lap top for every child) is an idea that will work (those who can afford to give i.e. the wealthy, will. because it is a "cool" idea) However a "lap top" is not a priority in 90% of these kids lives right now.
Some friends and I donated 55 u.s. dollars to a kid in Africa, he Got to keep $5 and the other $50 fed the town (hundreds of people ) for THREE DAYS!
potatochip1 4 years ago
While I see your point, I disagree. Our idea of a laptop is for games, boredom, general luxury. However, these laptops are providing for education. Not only to they hold programs that foster critical thinking skills, they connect children (and adults) to the VAST pool of information that is the internet (such as wikipedia.)
wingsoffire451 4 years ago
Also, simply because there are other issues in the world doesn't mean we should ignore this one. Also, laptops provide something that a cash donation doesn't--long term investment. While feeding a town for three days is important, it does not help them support themselves in the long run. These laptops help provide the education needed for these towns to support themselves. "Give a man a fish and he'll eat for a day, teach a man to fish and he'll never be hungry again."
wingsoffire451 4 years ago
Hiro should go back in time save all the treasures and then buy everyone a laptop.
idlgames 4 years ago
wow, you are ignorant. The digital divide is just as serious as famine and drought.
Human capital isn't just food, it's knowledge. If a kid doesn't get food, ze will die. But if ze doesn't have access to wikipedia, ze is as good as dead in this age. The only thing they will have to offer is manual labor - a cruel life that could be averted with projects like OLPC.
Do/did you go to college?
aquamammal 4 years ago
the digital divide doesn't exist outside of highly developed countries - and as such this is a stupid idea - have you ever been to a country that is not highly developed - for more than a week? don't call people ignorant - this is a stupid idea - STUPID!!!!
nzresearch 4 years ago
You really don't get it do you?. Education is key for developing nations. these laptops are not for kids in developing nations to access youtube or anything, they are used as teaching tools.
to help people in developing nations pick themselves up and create a better world. it has everything to do with Education!
LukaRuka 4 years ago
OLPC - stupidist idea ever - however i am now going to start OTPC - one television per child so that every child can watch heros at 9 eastern no matter where they might be - ah progress - COME ON - its EDUCATION people!
nzresearch 4 years ago
I vote we get you one of the laptops, preloaded with Language Arts software. ;-)
tresac 4 years ago
its still a stupid idea
nzresearch 4 years ago
If you'd paid attention, you'd know that these laptops are human powered - they have a hand crank that charges the battery.
tresac 4 years ago
I think this is a great idea, I was wondering about the poer supply, I didn't know that it was hand cranked system, how interesting.
SnickersAndPretzels 4 years ago
Handcrank? Damn thats a lot of cranking to keep going..
Also, are they going to be connected to the internet?
FoxtrotNinja 4 years ago