[kictanet] Just a thought

Eric Osiakwan ericosiakwan at me.com
Sun Jan 5 19:38:12 EAT 2014 

Dr. Ndemo,

When http://www.nytimes.com/2013/12/29/science/brainlike-computers-learning-from-experience.html?smid=fb-share&_r=0 broke, my friend Bob Palitz posted it on her fb page and commented "Cool story, with prominent mention of Ghanaian Kwabena Boahen, giving us a memorable quote. But the question left unanswered is not when will we have computers that can learn from experience, but why there are still so many human brains that don't."

My response was "Bob, the difference is humans have the "will" not to, computers don't yet. I met Kwabena in 2004/5 when I was a fellow at Stanford and then we both were TED Global Fellows in 2007 at the inaugural TED Global conference in Arusha, Tanzania. At that event not only did George Ayittey postulate the "Cheetah" generation but Kwabena stood as an example so it is a good way to end the year seeing his many years of lab activity now emerging as the next frontier of computing......Kwabena, ye mawu ayekoo"

I urge caution in advocating that technology would change behaviour.

HNY to all.

Eric here
 


On 4 Jan 2014, at 09:56, Bitange Ndemo <bitange at jambo.co.ke> wrote:

> Ngigi,
> I am reading Jean Dreze and Amartya Sen's book, An Uncertain Glory India
> and its Contradictions (recommended to me by one of the listers here after
> my India trip).  They have dwelt on India's corruption in many of the
> chapters and they conclude that only technology will save India from its
> endemic corruption.  They think technology too will help change behaviour.
> Indeed even the western world, technology plays a big role in behavioural
> change.  Indeed if we moved to digital platforms, much of our values will
> improve.
> 
> Our problem is that we never get to study the impact of these new
> technologies.  Preliminary finding from my current research on the impact
> of mobile money show that digital payments have to a large extent dealt
> with petty corruption.  As a former accounting officer, I can confirm to
> you that the switch by government to RTGS really undermined corporate
> corruption.  We cannot hope that religion will change our rotten
> behaviours.  This only happened in Europe during the reformation period. 
> Our preachers now want money than entrenching morals.
> 
> 
> Ndemo.
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
>> You can take a man from the village, but not the village out of him.
>> Behaviour, is a really hard thing to change.
>> 
>> If anything, technology exercebates bad behaviour for the already badly
>> behaved.
>> 
>> Kiriamiti, with a gun, could walk to a bank and steal a sack-full of
>> money.
>> With modern technology, you can steal a truck load without leaving your
>> bedroom and not think twice that Kiriamiti served 20yrs in prison.
>> 
>> Before mobile technology, if you had a problem with someone, you walked
>> upto them and had a one-one talk. Today, you just send them insults on txt
>> and before we know it we are crafting laws to protect us online.
>> 
>> Not long ago we had two politicians put digital cameras in their hotel
>> rooms and record their escapades which ended up being plastered infront of
>> their families.
>> 
>> That woman(the on in the VW) will learn,and quickly, the advantages of a
>> Digital camera on her vehicle.
>> 
>> Next time she causes a mishap just the threat that she can brandish her
>> evidence digitally will be used against her unlucky victims.
>> 
>> Technology, makes crime convenient, just as it makes the rest of our
>> lives!
>> 
>> Waithaka Ngigi
>> 
>> Alliance Technologies
>> Nairobi, Kenya
>> 
>> www.A1.io
>> On 4 Jan 2014 10:02, "ICT Researcher" <ict.researcher at yahoo.com> wrote:
>> 
>>> 
>>> She would have to think twice before accusing the next driver.
>>> Technology
>>> has changed her behaviour.
>>> 
>>> ------------------------------
>>> On Sat, Jan 4, 2014 9:33 AM MSK Ohaga JB wrote:
>>> 
>>>> I do share @Ngigi's opinion, seeking technological solutions to all our
>>> bad
>>>> behavior is a favourite pastime of technological determinists, however,
>>> we
>>>> should view technology as instruments that aid in making the world a
>>> better
>>>> n easier place to live in. So wht we need is behavior change in our
>>> midst
>>> n
>>>> basic good manners, so that someone does not back up into your car n
>>> then
>>>> accuse you of having hit them.
>>>> 
>>>> In all fairness, does Doc think that the lady in question won't falsely
>>>> accuse the next driver that she does that to just because she already
>>> met
>>>> one guy whose car was fitted with digital cams? I really doubt it...
>>>> On 04 Jan 2014 9:20 AM, "Ngigi Waithaka" <ngigi at at.co.ke> wrote:
>>>> 
>>>>> Aren't you scared of having technology being pervasive in every facet
>>> of
>>>>> our lives?
>>>>> 
>>>>> Add to that the fact that our Governments don't shy away from peeping
>>> into
>>>>> our privaye lives through all these gadgets we have.
>>>>> 
>>>>> Its quite a slippery road.
>>>>> 
>>>>> I believe in a simple digital world, but not simpler!
>>>>> 
>>>>> Waithaka Ngigi
>>>>> 
>>>>> Alliance Technologies
>>>>> Nairobi, Kenya
>>>>> 
>>>>> www.A1.io
>>>>> On 4 Jan 2014 08:55, "Barrack Otieno" <otieno.barrack at gmail.com>
>>> wrote:
>>>>> 
>>>>> Happy New Year Dr. Ndemo, i agree, technology will help a lot, ATM's
>>> are
>>>>> already doing this we should extend the same every where.
>>>>> 
>>>>> Best Regards
>>>>> 
>>>>> 
>>>>> On Sat, Jan 4, 2014 at 8:16 AM, Bitange Ndemo <bitange at jambo.co.ke
>>>> wrote:
>>>>> 
>>>>>> Yesterday morning as I drove to the city, my trip was disrupted by a
>>>>>> woman
>>>>>> driving ahead of me.  She was most likely driving a stick shift
>>> Toyota
>>>>>> when at Muthaiga Market (has a small hill as you join on to
>>> Parklands)
>>>>>> her
>>>>>> car slowly sled backwards resting on the front of my VW bug.  She
>>>>>> realized
>>>>>> her mistake too late but when she came out, she said to me
>>> "Mheshimiwa
>>>>>> umenigonga kutoka nyuma" (Honorable you just hit me from behind).  I
>>> just
>>>>>> had to smile as I opened my door.  The vehicles behind us sped off.
>>> I
>>>>>> knew I had no witness.
>>>>>> 
>>>>>> Her car had minor damage and as she prepared to call the police, I
>>>>>> encouraged her to do it quick since this is a simple matter.  She
>>> then
>>>>>> says to me "a simple matter".  I said yes.  What do you mean she
>>>>>> retorted.
>>>>>> It is simple because my car is digital, I said.  Digital! what do
>>>>>> exactly
>>>>>> mean she says.  My car has digital cameras all round and when the
>>> police
>>>>>> arrive, I just will show them exactly what went on.  She stops
>>> making
>>> her
>>>>>> call and started to look at my car carefully.  This time I tell her
>>> that
>>>>>> I
>>>>>> am calling the police.  She then turns to me as says "this digital
>>>>>> business is not good, can we just agree that we just cover our
>>> costs".
>>> I
>>>>>> said no.  This is the very reason why I mounted a digicam on my car.
>>>>>> 
>>>>>> She starts to plead with me.  She offers to cover my cost.  I said
>>> no
>>> but
>>>>>> asked her to put it in writing that she was on the wrong.
>>>>>> 
>>>>>> Lesson 1:  Technology will help us correct our values.
>>>>>> Lesson 2: If all our PSV vehicles are mounted with cameras, we shall
>>>>>> gather good data to hep us deal with road carnage
>>>>>> Lesson 3:  There are other benefits that will accrue if car
>>> manufacturers
>>>>>> were to in-build cameras just like mobile phones.
>>>>>> 
>>>>>> 
>>>>>> Ndemo.
>>>>>> 
>>>>>> 
>>>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>>>> kictanet mailing list
>>>>>> kictanet at lists.kictanet.or.ke
>>>>>> https://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet
>>>>>> 
>>>>>> Unsubscribe or change your options at
>>>>>> 
>>> https://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/otieno.barrack%40gmail.com
>>>>>> 
>>>>>> The Kenya ICT Action Network (KICTANet) is a multi-stakeholder
>>> platform
>>>>>> for people and institutions interested and involved in ICT policy
>>> and
>>>>>> regulation. The network aims to act as a catalyst for reform in the
>>> ICT
>>>>>> sector in support of the national aim of ICT enabled growth and
>>> development.
>>>>>> 
>>>>>> KICTANetiquette : Adhere to the same standards of acceptable
>>> behaviors
>>>>>> online that you follow in real life: respect people's times and
>>> bandwidth,
>>>>>> share knowledge, don't flame or abuse or personalize, respect
>>> privacy,
>>> do
>>>>>> not spam, do not market your wares or qualifications.
>>>>>> 
>>>>> 
>>>>> 
>>>>> 
>>>>> --
>>>>> Barrack O. Otieno
>>>>> +254721325277
>>>>> +254-20-2498789
>>>>> Skype: barrack.otieno
>>>>> http://www.otienobarrack.me.ke/
>>>>> 
>>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>>> kictanet mailing list
>>>>> kictanet at lists.kictanet.or.ke
>>>>> https://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet
>>>>> 
>>>>> Unsubscribe or change your options at
>>>>> https://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/ngigi%40at.co.ke
>>>>> 
>>>>> The Kenya ICT Action Network (KICTANet) is a multi-stakeholder
>>> platform
>>>>> for people and institutions interested and involved in ICT policy and
>>>>> regulation. The network aims to act as a catalyst for reform in the
>>> ICT
>>>>> sector in support of the national aim of ICT enabled growth and
>>> development.
>>>>> 
>>>>> KICTANetiquette : Adhere to the same standards of acceptable
>>> behaviors
>>>>> online that you follow in real life: respect people's times and
>>> bandwidth,
>>>>> share knowledge, don't flame or abuse or personalize, respect
>>> privacy,
>>> do
>>>>> not spam, do not market your wares or qualifications.
>>>>> 
>>>>> 
>>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>>> kictanet mailing list
>>>>> kictanet at lists.kictanet.or.ke
>>>>> https://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet
>>>>> 
>>>>> Unsubscribe or change your options at
>>>>> 
>>> https://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/durojb%40gmail.com
>>>>> 
>>>>> The Kenya ICT Action Network (KICTANet) is a multi-stakeholder
>>> platform
>>>>> for people and institutions interested and involved in ICT policy and
>>>>> regulation. The network aims to act as a catalyst for reform in the
>>> ICT
>>>>> sector in support of the national aim of ICT enabled growth and
>>> development.
>>>>> 
>>>>> KICTANetiquette : Adhere to the same standards of acceptable
>>> behaviors
>>>>> online that you follow in real life: respect people's times and
>>> bandwidth,
>>>>> share knowledge, don't flame or abuse or personalize, respect
>>> privacy,
>>> do
>>>>> not spam, do not market your wares or qualifications.
>>>>> 
>>> 
>>> 
>>> _______________________________________________
>>> kictanet mailing list
>>> kictanet at lists.kictanet.or.ke
>>> https://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet
>>> 
>>> Unsubscribe or change your options at
>>> https://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/ngigi%40at.co.ke
>>> 
>>> The Kenya ICT Action Network (KICTANet) is a multi-stakeholder platform
>>> for people and institutions interested and involved in ICT policy and
>>> regulation. The network aims to act as a catalyst for reform in the ICT
>>> sector in support of the national aim of ICT enabled growth and
>>> development.
>>> 
>>> KICTANetiquette : Adhere to the same standards of acceptable behaviors
>>> online that you follow in real life: respect people's times and
>>> bandwidth,
>>> share knowledge, don't flame or abuse or personalize, respect privacy,
>>> do
>>> not spam, do not market your wares or qualifications.
>>> 
>> _______________________________________________
>> kictanet mailing list
>> kictanet at lists.kictanet.or.ke
>> https://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet
>> 
>> Unsubscribe or change your options at
>> https://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/bitange%40jambo.co.ke
>> 
>> The Kenya ICT Action Network (KICTANet) is a multi-stakeholder platform
>> for people and institutions interested and involved in ICT policy and
>> regulation. The network aims to act as a catalyst for reform in the ICT
>> sector in support of the national aim of ICT enabled growth and
>> development.
>> 
>> KICTANetiquette : Adhere to the same standards of acceptable behaviors
>> online that you follow in real life: respect people's times and bandwidth,
>> share knowledge, don't flame or abuse or personalize, respect privacy, do
>> not spam, do not market your wares or qualifications.
> 
> 
> 
> 
> _______________________________________________
> kictanet mailing list
> kictanet at lists.kictanet.or.ke
> https://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet
> 
> Unsubscribe or change your options at https://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/ericosiakwan%40me.com
> 
> The Kenya ICT Action Network (KICTANet) is a multi-stakeholder platform for people and institutions interested and involved in ICT policy and regulation. The network aims to act as a catalyst for reform in the ICT sector in support of the national aim of ICT enabled growth and development.
> 
> KICTANetiquette : Adhere to the same standards of acceptable behaviors online that you follow in real life: respect people's times and bandwidth, share knowledge, don't flame or abuse or personalize, respect privacy, do not spam, do not market your wares or qualifications.

Eric M.K Osiakwan
+233244386792
 "Accraboy" 4 Skype
@eosiakwan 4 Twitter
 about.me/ericosiakwan 





-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: <https://lists.kictanet.or.ke/pipermail/kictanet/attachments/20140105/00c55bcd/attachment.htm>

More information about the KICTANet mailing list