yeah that was it. first time it really mucked up a layout like this for me. Guess that's the downside of hosting your static assets on the facebook cdn :)
So, I don't know if people remember this; but in the late nineties almost this exact thing was described as being the way that cellular communication was going to come to remote parts of the world. It turned out that demand made this completely unnecessary, within 5 years cellular companies in Africa and Asia became some of the most profitable companies in the world and global coverage is only improving.
Why do we convince our selves that these types of drastic measures are worth the capital we expend to make them happen?
"Why do we convince our selves that these types of drastic measures are worth the capital we expend to make them happen."
My cynical guess? Wealthy people with liberal guilt. As for the companies, more eyeballs == more money.
I agree with you. It's hard to force this. If the underlying infrastructure is lacking (clean water, food, medicine, clothing, safety) then the internet isn't going to take hold.
If the core infra is already in place, they're likely already working on bringing the net in.
I have traveled pretty widely and the most remote place I ever went to was an un-mapped village in sub-Saharan Africa a 16 hour drive from the nearest large city. I was there last about 4 years ago, at the time I felt the most away from civilization I had ever been, then my cellphone rang, I had 5 bars.
In January a man I met in that village sent me a friend request on Facebook they have 3g now.
>clean water, food, medicine, clothing, safety
aren't really profit centers. but bringing internet service to as many people as possible... is worth its weight in gold to major telecoms.
The initial result is that gangs will go around stealing in masses by force and sell it for profit, as you pointed out - the demand need to be there, the basic social infrastructure need to be there. Look at china, it's exploding with cellphones because the society is catching up to modern advances. I think there is better ways to do good in the world rather than force a technology, like food, water and shelter. There are +800 million that are starving, fix that first!
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[ 3.1 ms ] story [ 41.5 ms ] threadand
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AdXwthh-xLQ
Why do we convince our selves that these types of drastic measures are worth the capital we expend to make them happen?
My cynical guess? Wealthy people with liberal guilt. As for the companies, more eyeballs == more money.
I agree with you. It's hard to force this. If the underlying infrastructure is lacking (clean water, food, medicine, clothing, safety) then the internet isn't going to take hold.
If the core infra is already in place, they're likely already working on bringing the net in.
In January a man I met in that village sent me a friend request on Facebook they have 3g now.
>clean water, food, medicine, clothing, safety
aren't really profit centers. but bringing internet service to as many people as possible... is worth its weight in gold to major telecoms.