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Honestly, your criticism sounds like it could be extended to non-profit/volunteer work in general; not just OLPC. Without the "meet customer demands or starve"
by AussieWog93 5y ago
Honestly, your criticism sounds like it could be extended to non-profit/volunteer work in general; not just OLPC.
Without the "meet customer demands or starve" dynamic that places pressure on for-profit organisations, a whole lot of critical but unsexy work just doesn't get done.
- bertil 5y agoThat’s why I like effective altruism: there’s a lot to be criticised on a purely utilitarian view of help, metrics are often wrong and all that, but any form of self-criticism is such a step-up from the usual white-saviour complex. "We stop this unless we reach that goal" feels horrifying to people on the ground who can’t accept why beneficiaries would be punished, until they realise that, no: you are taking away an unhelpful service. Potentially better options now have a budget. It’s messy and goes in circles but at least it doesn’t stay someone ineffective.