A question that will be useful for you to remember even as one talks, reads and forms opinions about everyday realities around us
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So.. who is technology really for? An easy response is “people”. But which people? In a world where we do not have equal or comparable levels of access, which people or which section of society are we talking about?
Or a second response could be – Technology is for “those passionate about technology”. Coders. Programmers. Those who love algorithms. Those who love to research. To tinker. The Innovators of Silicon Valley. Supply drives demand. And new innovations demand new markets. And so, the market (= people) is created in response to the product’s need.
A third answer could be Darwinian. Evolutionary. Technology isn’t really for anyone, you might argue. It’s the next natural progression. ChatGPT was unavoidable, it’s time had to come.
Honestly, I’m not sure what the correct answer is. Don’t know if there is one either. But…
But our concerns must be about those who have less access
My newsletter is still quite new. Today is only my fourth post. However, from my last two writings on Vidarbha Diaries (I’ll link them below if you’ve missed it or you subscribed recently) you might have guessed which segment of people is of most interest and concern to me. People with less access to what are now mainstream online ways of “discovering” information or learning.
That’s because regional imbalances help one explore a problem from a frame of reference or a context that a person with privileges (for example the programmer/innovator in Silicon Valley) will not easily see otherwise. Context, social location, realities – are all important. This is not on moral grounds. This is something I’d like to explore in future posts. Development Decoded.
For today I invite you to read an article I published this week
The international development sector (global/big NGOs) are trying their best to use technology as a central means of achieving results in their programs. Be it education, health, livelihood, poverty reduction or women empowerment. Regardless of the goal or portfolio. My colleague Jacklyne Kobek (based in Kenya) and I have been frequently reflecting on some of our observations and learnings as we helped different projects, offered advice or solved problems they faced. We published our learnings in the form of a writing earlier this week.
What should designers of large-scale international programs keep in mind to use technology in sensible ways?
A little about the portal, Bond UK
Bond (UK) is a network of civil society organizations based primarily in the UK. Here’s how I discovered them by accident 5 years ago, when I was looking for something online: After I moved to London in 2018, it wasn’t easy finding ways to continue working again. I had done some good work in India until then – work that I was and still am proud of – only to leave it all behind (or so it felt at the time!) and relocate. And so, when I discovered Bond’s website, I was glad at what a good resource it was. It helped me get an overview of the civil society sector in a completely new country. I’m happy and humbled to give back to the community of practitioners.
Do give it a read and let me know how you find the article!
Thank you for sticking around. For reading every week. For replying.
Sincerely saying that!
For a new newsletter, I have a small, limited number of people who are reading this. A number that is growing. More than the number, there are some really valuable people. One of you wrote to me last week asking why my Sunday email had got missed. (Turns out my email landed into the mailbox’s Promotions tab – a common occurrence if you’re a Gmail user!)
In response to my last week’s post about a Facebook scam, a few of you replied sharing with me experiences that you had heard or come across. I learnt some more in the process. From you.
Once again, thanks for reading. And feel free to reply with your reactions, or what you liked/didn’t like. Or you could tell me what you would like to read more or less of. And if you like what you’re reading, do share it with others.
Until next week… take care!
Janani
It is necessary to evaluate technology and identify its true users.
I work in a remote town, and from what I can see, instead of being introduced to smartphones’ primary function—calling—people here are immediately drawn into the realm of social media and networking. They receive broadband services, but not cellular towers, electricity, or the fundamental infrastructure needed for the technical advancements we discuss.
Thank you for sharing the scenario from a remote, non-English speaking region. Much appreciated.