A SIMS student posted the following article. Although not about high-tech development, it shows the stark contrast of the digital divide China. On one hand we have all these developments, then on the country side, they’re just starting to use cameras.
It makes one wonder how technology is changing societal structures in China. if it’s all positive? If the speed of technological revolution can cause unforseen damage in terms of societal breakdown?
Article at Washington Post
Subject: [is202@sims] Cultural Revelation
From: “Brooke Maury”
Date: Mon, September 15, 2003 11:10 pm
To:
Priority: Normal
As we are scheduled to receive our new nokia 3650’s this week, I thought
this article would be of interest to the class.
This is a great story of regular people (i.e. 1st year SIMS students!)
being armed with new technology, and the unanticipated consequences
therein. It encapsulates the essence of many of our discussion points over
the last couple of weeks.
Yi villagers in Yunnan, China were given conventional cameras to document
their lives and environs for a particular purpose, but the outcome was so
much more than anticipated. The cameras became a tool of empowerment,
political expression, communication and enabled historical documentation.
I could blather on, but I would rather read some insight from others.
Read if you wish, and discuss…
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A15884-2003Sep15.html
