PixelMEDIA Inc.

Back in 2002 – MIT Professor Nicholas Negroponte had an epiphany. What would happen if every child in the world had access to a internet and network enabled laptop, chock-full of useful educational and productivity tools. Well out of this whimsical and seemingly daunting endeavor came one of the coolest and truly inspirational technology tools I’ve had the pleasure to work with.

I’m not breaking any ‘new news’ so to speak here — the OLPC program is well established, has had a wide-range of press and media coverage throughout it’s short life. However, the program is in it’s infancy… The amazing leadership team obviously has big plans for both the program and the device. From my position the challenges are more socio-political and logistically oriented than technologically.

I myself am challenged with the notion of spending hard-earned money on a device that would get sent to a destination unknown. There are plenty of children around these parts who could use something like this.

But then I found the map of participating countries – and it hit me like a ton of bricks. No matter what folks say about the growing technological divide that’s occurring in America, the global situation is FAR worse – and scary. As it is, children in developing countries have little-to-no chance of encountering the technology that even our lower-class children have free access to in schools, libraries, churches and even homes.

The device is really a factor of the GAINS we are blessed with as a premier technology powerhouse nation – but the mission is rooted in the moral and ethical responsibility found in our hearts (not so easily identified with or found by all).

So, in weighing the pros and cons of participating in the program… I’m definitely on the ‘support-it’ side of the camp. For $200 – getting one of these into the hands of a child in a 3rd world country… seems like a no-brainer to me. OR wait for the next round of the “Give One Get One” program (which is how Tom Obrey came into the possession of two of these fine tools) – whereby you receive one for your own use/local donation for each one sent overseas. Very cool!

Tags: Corporate Responsibility, Gadgets