I should clarify something. I'm not against the idea of helping people in developing countries get hold of technology. The idea is a great one. What bothers me about the OLPC machine, or the XO machine, or whatever they're calling it now, is simply the aesthetics. When I look at those machines I just feel a profound sadness -- I suppose it is the way Frank Lloyd Wright must have felt when he looked at some horrible big public housing estate. Like FLW, I'm all about creating beauty. Ugliness actually repulses me. I get physically ill. Just because people are poor doesn't mean you have to stigmatize them by putting them in ugly buildings. Nor should you give them ugly computers. There. I said it.
To those who say I shouldn't criticize OLPC, since Apple isn't giving away hundred-dollar Macs to Third-World kids, let me explain. That's not our job. That's not what Apple is here for. That's not what I was put on earth to do. I'm here to push the state of the art, to create groundbreaking, mind-blowing designs. That's who I am. That's why I'm here. An artist has to find his niche. You don't ask John Ashbery to write advertising jingles, right? You don't ask Patek Phillipe to make a Timex. I just wish the OLPC people had consulted with us a bit on their design before they went ahead. I wouldn't have met with them personally, but we could have found a few people to sit down and tell them how things should be done.
Tuesday, July 24, 2007
Another thought on the OLPC machine
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13 comments:
Although I am enjoying the increasingly vitriolic comments from global warming holy rollers, you might want to shift gears for a while--all your AdSense ads are about global warming now. I can't imagine these are paying you much. Check your eCPM in the AdSense control panel. If it's dropped, you'd better return to some tech topics for a while.
Or you could put those tags around the global warming posts to keep AdSense from taking them into consideration--see the AdSense documentation.
And you did offer them Mac OS X free of charge, but they refused, citing "freedom"
We know you actually dispise the poor and want them to all die
FSJ
I really think you leave the OLPC alone: all this bitching makes you look much less appealing.
Just stick to your own shit, OK? The OLPC doesn't come with an incredibly flimsy powerpack that keeps breaking and motherboards that are damaged by opening and closing the case. I bet it also shows the number of colours it's supposed to. I can't believe you have the cheek to criticise rev 1 hardware!
I expect they refused Mac OS X for a number of reasons: it doesn't run as well as minimal hardware as Linux, it's not as customisable, it can't be freely distributed and modified etc.
I believe it is a conspiracy of Dreamworks to both make Shrek a world icon and at the same discredit Pixar.
see here: http://www.pearpod.com/olpcshrek.jpg
(ps. anyone remember apple's emate?)
it's hard to tell from the thumbnail, but is this bulbous, bellicose Ballmer fellow really sober Al in a "fat suit"?
Is the gesture some reference to Tipper?Is he describing the size of the window in his office cubical? Is he imagining FS's neck in his grasp? Is the hair farming not working?
Guess I'm not up on the personalities of the commenters on your site. Does he know anything about computers? Maybe I should Opera him - or is it
Oprah - these search motors are a little unclear. As we say here in Lagos, Budahkan, Mr. Steve - we applaud your genuine fakness, sir. A good evening to you and the lovely Missu Jobs.
Also, if you please, what is "globial warning wooly rollist"? and will "tech" fix them" Thank you
Very good post. Plus if 100 people were to copy you... Well those kids might get somewhat of a better product.
In countries where half the population are starving, why would the government spend money on computers for the minority that are in education?
Say there are 20 pupils in a class. For $2000, they could build a new building or extend the existing one to accommodate more pupils. Or they could build a well in the town center. Or they could invest in vaccinations for diseases. There are so many things that would be better to buy than this hunk of junk. THAT is why it's not selling.
(P.S. I'm not the Jon who posted above)
The sucker looks like a Hello Kitty eMate.
I happen to like the XO. I would definetly buy one if they were selling them.
Ugliness is part of you also. if everything were beatiful your products will not stand out.
Like Ying and Yang or Romolus and Remulus
Of course I am not talking about the people in subway cutting their fingernails or screaming their life around on the iPhoney.
You people do realize this isn't the real Steve Jobs, right? Just checking....
i am unabashed and am not afraid to say that i have something against giving pc's & technology to third world children... before we address their real basic needs of food, fresh, drinkable water, agriculture, basic education and not feeling like if they walk down the friggin' street in their village their head might be cleaved in two by a machete!!
basic. needs. first.
anything else is grandstanding and a waste of time, money & resources.
'nuff sed.
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