The Teachable Moment
Then arrives the teachable moment we all look for and crave. We begin a discussion about how this all happens because of lack of clean drinking water. Here we set with new computers, new flat screen monitors, new software, a T1 Internet connection and Web 2.0 tools everywhere we look. Clean drinking water is a given. We don’t even give a thought about how important it is. Then we take a look at the site Global Rich List, and then the lights (or lack of lights) in this satellite image and tie both into what we’re discussing. Then I begin to talk about how technology has made others aware of the Guinea Worm problem in Africa, but the power of the message really depends on who wants to listen, who wants to care, who wants to “tune in” and see it as “valuable”. Slowly discussion weaves around to talking about how technology can be used as a narcissistic tool for our own pleasure (i.e. experiencing the latest/greatest download), or be used to help others – to promote awareness of really important issues, to cause people to act and bring about change.
1 comment Tagged: blogging, global rich list, nasa image October 22, 2008
