IT is pervading the universe, changing the way we do business, communicate, culture. In the last decade IT related services have become such an integral aspect of our lives and more lives are affected by it than ever before. More so for our children. A world that has grown different from the one we were born into.
It has a greater impact in an underdeveloped economy like like Africa. Because of the fact that more developed countries have rigid infrastructure and lines of communication. That prevents them from changing too rapidly. Whereas in countries like Uganda, where imprint of first world has not penetrated as much, change is easier to come. Wireless has been sweeping the planet the last few years.
Eg- Masai warriors using e mail/ cell phone. Sitting in a hut in Africa he can keep in touch with the rest of the world.
If Gandhi lived today, his impact across the world would be at so may diff levels. It’s not just the issue of empowering the economy, it’s an impact that’s felt everywhere…culturally, sports, entertainment. The global village coming together. And the 3rd world is going to be at the forefront of this. Video players have come and gone in Asia. For a VHS tape u need to go to a second hand shop. In US & UK strangely u can still get brand new VHS and video players whereas DVD is the new technology of Asia.
First world economies are slower to change. This means the 3rd world will be inheriting the latest technology long before the first world.
The reach of the internet in 3rd world is far more than in the 1st world. Our E-commerce success has come mostly from 3rd world countries where internet access is limited. It’s going to be replacing the economy of the 3rd world. It’s going to be the modality, it is going to be the economy per se. Not to see this or recognise this would be a mistake.
Anything can be sold online from houses to insurance, vacations to shoes. E-bay addiction is a classic example of that. Amazon.com has pioneered this.
If that’s not empowerment, what is?
