[ExI] riots again

[Mirco Romanato]

Il 27/09/2012 17:22, spike ha scritto:
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: extropy-chat-bounces at lists.extropy.org
> [mailto:extropy-chat-bounces at lists.extropy.org] On Behalf Of Charlie Stross
>> ...
>>
>> _______________________________________________
>>
>>> ... Ja, so where's the photographic evidence?  Should not we send them
> cell phones, cameras and laptop computers to upload the video to YouTube?
>
>> ...You're talking about one of the poorest regions on the planet...
>
> Ja, I am not suggesting they buy the cell phones.  Concerned Americans and
> Europeans could donate those ten dollar digital cameras, the victims take
> the pictures, pass the camera back hand to hand to anyone anywhere who has a
> laptop and a phone connection.  Go directly to YouTube.  We could send those
> things over there by the truckload.  We throw away used cell phones by the
> ton, still perfectly operational cameras, trading it for the latest model
> with a few million more pixels.

The only problem with this idea is the Taliban like to shut off the cell 
phone network (just too many tip off from the general population) and 
the US would like to build a cell phone network there

>> ...Forget cellphones: running water would be a good start. Ditto
> electricity. And roads...

> No Charlie.  Remember cell phones.  They need those things worse than the
> other stuff, if it is really true that robo-bombing is causing debilitating
> listlessness, which would then cause them to lack running water, electricity
> and roads.

> Also ...

They need and want more cell phones and networks because the cell phones 
allow more productive economic activity. The poor is able to sell their 
eggs to the market with the best price (dirty capitalists) with 
cellphone and plumbers can be contacted faster when something is in need 
of repair. Just don't mind the utility to be able to call a doctor in 
(an alien concept in the Western world) if someone fall sick or is wounded.

Just looking at the Wikipedia, I understand we are tangled in wrong 
stereotypes about the poor Afghanistan and the Afghanis:

"Telecom companies, such as Afghan Wireless and Roshan, began boasting 
rapid increase in cellular phone usage in the mid 2000s. In response to 
this Etisalat and MTN Group were launched, and by 2009 there were about 
18 million mobile phone users in Afghanistan. Etisalat became the first 
company to launch 3G services in 2012 followed MTN and Roshan. In the 
meantime, Afghan officials announced that they plan to send its own 
satellite into space."

"According to the Ministry of Communication and Information Technology 
there are 4760 active towers throughout the country which covers 85% of 
the population. The Ministry of Communication and Information Technology 
plans to expand its services in remote parts of the country where the 
remaining 15% of the population will be covered with the installation of 
the new towers.[2]"


Now, there are 30 millions of people in Afghanistan and 18 millions of 
cellphones, 85% covered (in 2009).


> Exactly so sir, which is why I suggested YouTube.  This is a wonderfully
> powerful tool which we didn't have during the Vietnam War years.  It goes
> around the military-industrial complex, slips right past the US news media
> and their silly distractions of the latest school teacher raping her eager
> and willing students, it goes past the censors and governments.  YouTube is
> our DREAM!  It is information which has gotten itself free, and that
> information, once free, is pouncing ferociously at every opportunity,
> ripping apart ignorance wherever it can be found.  Once that information is
> on YouTube, it is THERE for anyone to access, no need for help from
> governments or news majors, it is there and it is FREE!

Unfortunately, the lack of photos and movies about the drone bombing is 
akin the lack of photo and movies about the UFO. You could excuse it in 
the past, without ubiquitous cellphones and cameras. But now?

Mirco