[Air-l] India Rejects One Laptop Per Child

[Wojciech Gryc]

Hi,

Keeping in mind the long discussion that was posted a few weeks ago with
regards to the merits (or lack thereof) of the One Laptop Per Child project,
I thought this may interest subscribers of this list:

HRD rubbishes MIT's laptop scheme for kids
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/articleshow/msid-1698603,curpg-1.cms

So India has decided against the One Laptop Per Child Project (for now). Two
arguments that stood out for me:

   1. Poor rural children often have health problems that may be
   exacerbated by laptop use, especially those affecting eyesight and
   children's backs.
   2. No developed country has universalized laptops for children, so why
   should India?

I must say that the first argument is a perfect example of how people in
developed countries often lack the foresight and local knowledge required to
adequately decide whether a technology truly is "appropriate". Forget the
merits to education or the potential for employability skills -- those are
secondary to the potentially negative health effects of the laptops.

Thanks,
Wojciech Gryc

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