One Laptop Per Child

We have a gentleman in Seattle that is starting a program called "Computers for Kids." He is getting all his business licensing and "non-profit" status in order...His objection is "why give away all the excess to everyone (funneling all our resources to other countries etc.) when we have all our children here in this country that can use them. He is currently accepting computers and sponsors to get the computers stored-uupgraded-and delivered FREE starting locally. The program is just getting off the ground and the person doing this is just "a guy" that knows the innards to make the computers go.He has a vision bigger brighter and better than this, and he's not looking for a profit.

I unerstand how powerful this can be - but I also feel that we are losing that amazing feeling that we have when we read - actually read a book - the idea of educating those who have limited resources is powerful when you have the wherewithall - let's not let this power replace the tactile part of reading as what should be our basic education...

i think if every millionaire in the world donated 100000 dollers each and billionairs donated 1000000 each that would be enough to buy a lap top computer for every kid in the world.but you see many ,not all are so tight with there money that they think is going with them in the big black box when they die,boy are they in for a shock

Reading to kids is great, but if you are a parent who cannot read or write ! What Negroponte is doing is great. The paradigm has shifted;the kids can read and even educate their parents. One can still read to their kids or just read for your self, but why everything has to be done the we paents did ? The nest frontier that Negroponte is exploring is going to bring out in the words of Thomas Gray " many a gem of purest ray serene the dark unfathomed caves of oceand bear, and many a flower.........................born to blush in the desert air. And so with the kids who are in the dark and grow up to be in the dark. Let there be light,no- laptops! satchidavid@yahoo.com

An excellent program and someone with their heart in the right place. My concern is as laptops expose kids to television adverts and websites from around the world, what stops the onset of expectations that cannot be fulfilled? When children are exposed to our plastic, throw-away, pop idol society, how long do you think it will be before a situation like India is created where 1 billion people live, there are 36 billionaires, they add a millionaire each day yet 70% of the population lives on less than $2 a day? Millions have been exposed to the Web, TV and want to pursue Internet millions while farmers commit suicide over loans of $300 or lose property rights to unscrupulous lenders in this "live for the now" society. I am concerned what happens when 6-month's salary to buy a pair of Nike's becomes the norm. I have seen what happens when hope is created in places of abject poverty with nothing done to feed empty bellies. Kids believe they can do anything and then eventually the reality of where and how they live sets in creating a desperation which an Al Quaeda fills with spiritual "hope." Opening this Pandora's Box without a corresponding broader plan to tackle global poverty creates change and what then helps social envy?

I believe that despite all this negativity is true, knowing is always more than not knowing and any tool which gets people of any age to get to know is a good step forward in our (worldwide) society. In any activity there is no gain without the risk. Who says that Nikes are going to stay the norm once people know enough everywhere.

I believe that a computer is a great way for learning experiences. Even though a laptop for children maybe a good thing. But it has its flaws as well. Should children have access to the internet with video and picture abilities? Wouldn't parents be concern with how there children might have access to inappropriate content or come in danger of internet predators? I can understand one persons vision of helping children grow with new learning abilities conformed in technology through children's laptops. But is his vision like he said, " I want to see where children will go quickly as possible to the internet" a good thing or a bad thing? We all have opinions what we believe is safe or unsafe. Would you ask this same question?

Wow this guy is dangerous! And I LOVE it! Look at the responses to this story even here! What this guy is doing is enabling these kids to think for themselves and empowering them with knowledge! Everybody posting is worried about internet predators, the influence of hollywood pop culture, consumerism, weather kids read books! To me it seems more likr the comment posters are worried these kids may actually form opinions of their own, instead of the opinions THEY want them to form or think are politicaly correct! Freedom is a dangerous thing isn't it? Just ask any 3rd world dictator! These are tools to magnify freedom of thought. Another thing I would add is when these kids graduate college look out world! To the computer professionals in this country whining about offshoring and outsourcing, I say you better get off your duff and learn better skills to compete! These kids will be out to eat your lunch! THis is disruptive empowering technology that has the power to turn the entrenched and powerful up end and I LOVE it!

modernization = solution

i think that Negroponte has a very reallistinc idea and goal in mind. the problem is not among the kids... our kids arent stupid they are just not being tought, thats the governments fault.. each countries gov. if the local gov. does not do anything why let a man down when he is actually trying to change the world for better. as a matter of fact i think the goverment should support this by cutting off some war funds and supplying them to this cause.. that would give more kids a chance to have contact with the modern world and will bring our troops home sooner... but anyway i thin that Negroponte has really good idea here and is not fair for other companies to try to make this just another profit campaign for themselves... not only is that unfair for the children, it is morally wrong.