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Start simple, with the problems around you... Hunger, conservation, disease, drinking water and dare I say it: war There is no incentive to solve most of thes

Start simple, with the problems around you... Hunger, conservation, disease, drinking water and dare I say it: war There is no incentive to solve most of these issues, which is why there are so many poor and hungry people in the world today. If you only obtain info from HN, escape it for a bit and read blogs about NPOs doing work in Africa. A little perspective on reality will help you realize how meaningless "free internet" is when somebody is looking for $3 to buy some rice for his 2 kids and wife each day.

calbear81 11y ago
I don't think we should discount the ability for access to information to help someone get out of their situation. For example, perhaps somebody could learn how to grow food instead of waiting for a handout with the help of articles on irrigation systems and crop rotation.
- gamechangr 11y ago
  Original OP. I'm a US citizen that lived 5 years in the South Pacific. I actually think you both have a point! I watched how the rural area we worked in was dramatically transformed by simple cell phones. Things like pregnant women previously had to make a 40 hour walk to town and now could call for emergencies. But technology did not fix many problems. I did see 30 person extended families dependent on one person earning money. Access to the internet introduced new problems, like pornography, which made the locals have a major increase in STD's. Information is tricky.
  - calbear81 11y ago
    Can you elaborate on this: "pornography, which made the locals have a major increase in STD's"? I would have expected the opposite to happen once locals had an opportunity to satisfy their needs. Did pornography teach them something new?
    - gamechangr 11y ago
      The introduction of Pornography significantly increased sexual activity, especially among teenagers. My company was the major supporters of the ambulance and free health clinics. With the increase of cell phones the STD rate almost tripled within five months (2.8 times more). There also was an increase in teen pregnancies. We have forms that are require be filled out and one of the consist findings was that "pornography (called many names but usually just "naked pictures' ) shown in the villages were "increasing sexual activities". I'm sure a researcher could break that down more, but it was self reported and quite consistent response.

calbear81 11y ago

I don't think we should discount the ability for access to information to help someone get out of their situation. For example, perhaps somebody could learn how to grow food instead of waiting for a handout with the help of articles on irrigation systems and crop rotation.

gamechangr 11y ago
Original OP. I'm a US citizen that lived 5 years in the South Pacific. I actually think you both have a point! I watched how the rural area we worked in was dramatically transformed by simple cell phones. Things like pregnant women previously had to make a 40 hour walk to town and now could call for emergencies. But technology did not fix many problems. I did see 30 person extended families dependent on one person earning money. Access to the internet introduced new problems, like pornography, which made the locals have a major increase in STD's. Information is tricky.
- calbear81 11y ago
  Can you elaborate on this: "pornography, which made the locals have a major increase in STD's"? I would have expected the opposite to happen once locals had an opportunity to satisfy their needs. Did pornography teach them something new?
  - gamechangr 11y ago
    The introduction of Pornography significantly increased sexual activity, especially among teenagers. My company was the major supporters of the ambulance and free health clinics. With the increase of cell phones the STD rate almost tripled within five months (2.8 times more). There also was an increase in teen pregnancies. We have forms that are require be filled out and one of the consist findings was that "pornography (called many names but usually just "naked pictures' ) shown in the villages were "increasing sexual activities". I'm sure a researcher could break that down more, but it was self reported and quite consistent response.