03-10-2003, 03:34 PM
In an attempt to reply to the original question and thus bypassing (hopefully) the tangle of words in between, I offer up the following:
I think we underestimate the power of the modern era not only in its ideas but in its technology. I do not mean the technology available only to the governments and heads-of-state, but the mass-market technology that a lot of our wealth here in America is built upon.
It is difficult to determine exactly what effect, either positive or negative, the technological advances have had on our culture and it will be equally difficult to predict what influence it could have on a post-war Iraq. Now I understand that education is the root of an advanced culture, so handing out PDAâs in downtown Baghdad is not what Iâm talking about.
The outcome of government in Iraq will be closely watched, if not influenced by the western world. Any direct influence, as in Afghanistan, will be met with criticism and resistance but technology and advanced infrastructure is often welcome. The influence of this technology will help shape the future.
Follow my train of thought here:
1. The western world rebuilds the infrastructure of Iraq using the technology available.
2. The operation and maintenance of such equipment requires training and education.
3. Programs are put in place to educate the local population and maintain the tech.
4. These programs are expanded into universities.
5. The populace slowly becomes more advanced and technically minded.
The government in this process depends on the technology and therefore also provides resources for its support and functioning. I do understand however that a dictatorship will not promote this kind of progression. It will be necessary to have a government in place that has a modicum of good will towards its people, the actually makeup of which may not be as critical.
To put a little direction in the responses I donât really want a discourse on the possible influences of the Internet or computers on Iraq. My thoughts of technology are more in advanced building techniques, power distribution, water treatment, food distribution and production, etc., basically as I said, infrastructure. I would hope it is a consensus that Iraq does not have a modern infrastructure.
I know there are a wealth of assumptions inherent in this discourse, feel free to point them out so I may tackle them and hopely become better informed.
Be nice to me. ;)
I think we underestimate the power of the modern era not only in its ideas but in its technology. I do not mean the technology available only to the governments and heads-of-state, but the mass-market technology that a lot of our wealth here in America is built upon.
It is difficult to determine exactly what effect, either positive or negative, the technological advances have had on our culture and it will be equally difficult to predict what influence it could have on a post-war Iraq. Now I understand that education is the root of an advanced culture, so handing out PDAâs in downtown Baghdad is not what Iâm talking about.
The outcome of government in Iraq will be closely watched, if not influenced by the western world. Any direct influence, as in Afghanistan, will be met with criticism and resistance but technology and advanced infrastructure is often welcome. The influence of this technology will help shape the future.
Follow my train of thought here:
1. The western world rebuilds the infrastructure of Iraq using the technology available.
2. The operation and maintenance of such equipment requires training and education.
3. Programs are put in place to educate the local population and maintain the tech.
4. These programs are expanded into universities.
5. The populace slowly becomes more advanced and technically minded.
The government in this process depends on the technology and therefore also provides resources for its support and functioning. I do understand however that a dictatorship will not promote this kind of progression. It will be necessary to have a government in place that has a modicum of good will towards its people, the actually makeup of which may not be as critical.
To put a little direction in the responses I donât really want a discourse on the possible influences of the Internet or computers on Iraq. My thoughts of technology are more in advanced building techniques, power distribution, water treatment, food distribution and production, etc., basically as I said, infrastructure. I would hope it is a consensus that Iraq does not have a modern infrastructure.
I know there are a wealth of assumptions inherent in this discourse, feel free to point them out so I may tackle them and hopely become better informed.
Be nice to me. ;)
More fun then twins on a sugar high!!