Evidence-based posting #3

Evidence-based posting #3: “One Laptop per Child”

Last night on 60 Minutes, there was an interesting piece about a man who was working to provide every child in the world with an affordable laptop. “One Laptop per Child” is the vision of a man named Nicholas Negroponte whose dream is to supply $100 laptops to all children, even those in poor, underdeveloped countries. “One Laptop per Child” sounded like a worthwhile program that had no reason to be challenged or questioned. As I kept watching, I learned that thought was not entirely true.
When Negroponte’s program began, the vision was simple – have cheap, easy-to-work laptops available to any child. His vision grew into a nonprofit organization that produces laptops that are cheap, reliable, and easy to use. These laptops began popping up in both industrialized and developing nations and seemed to promise at least one equity amongst the world’s youth. As his program became more successful, new challenges arose. These challenges came in the shape of Intel and other giants of the computer industry. How did these major companies challenge Negroponte’s program? These companies developed their own inexpensive laptops to market which directly affected Negroponte’s efforts. How could large for profit corporations come in and undermine one man’s dream to help children?
The answer was debatable. Negroponte feels like the corporations saw the millions of children that would need laptops and that translated into dollar signs. The corporations feel that they are expanding a new market and therefore choice benefits everyone. There is validity to both sides of the discussion, as long as both sides don’t lose sight of the original vision. I think Negroponte’s motives are of the best intentions, but can he really be mad if other products come out that are similar to his? The large corporations have every right to produce products for whatever need they find, but did they really need to target a not for profit humanitarian effort? Like so many things “One Laptop per Child” is composed of ideals that are almost impossible to reach. But as the argument between Negroponte and the corporations presses on, it is only safe to assume that the goals of “One Laptop per Child” will become completely impossible to reach, and instead one man’s dream will crumble, and corporations will be faced with the “what ifs” of failed business venture.
Stahk, L. (2007, May 20). What if Every Child Had a Laptop? Retrieved May 21, 2007, from cbsnews: http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2007/05/20/60minutes/main2830058.shtml