Dis-equalizer Equalizer

Very soon, Moore's law will catch up and will define more clearly who are the haves, have-nots and have beens. Until today, power has been vested in the strong, the monied the political-genius or the tyranically-manipulative. However, science and technology will soon change this equation.

The political systems will begin to decline because there will be no need for it. The production and distribution of basic needs like food and water will not be determined by the market anymore, but by a very effective and a very efficient system provided for by the discovery of new technologies. The exploration, exploitation and annexation of new lands, new people and culture, and wealth and resources will not be determined anymore by how strong an empire's army is. New technologies will make it possible to benefit from other peoples' resources and culture without subjugating
them or wiping them out from the face of this planet.

The new empire will be built by a group of people who will be able to put the best technology to use. This new empire may not necessarily be a country, a race, a place, a religion or a military. This new empire is an idea, a virtual thing, that will be fought by the usual forces of good and evil, by the conqueror and the vanquish, by the moralists with different perceptions, and occasionally, the ambitious moron and the greedy. However, there will be no place for the megalomaniac because as it is, technology is programmed to defend itself and, technology can only be run by a group of good people - not by the usual king or anarchist whose satisfaction is to see everybody on this planet bow to his/her wishes.

Technogy is a great equalizer. The internet is a proof of this - although it is taking a lot more time for the less privilege to recognize this new powerful tool. However, Mr. Moore isn't in a hurry to see all these to happen. Afterall, after everything has been equalized, technology itself will destabilize this equilibrium, and fulfill the prophecy of Mr. Moore.

Digital Curricula

The potential for the Philippines to grow as the outsource capital of the world is very promising. All the ingredients to make this happen are all there: availability of manpower, a culture that values education, a technology-hungry population, English-literate, good genes, etc.

This manpower base can be best prepared if they will be introduced early in life to a digital curriculum. If they will be accustomed early in life to digital textbooks and libraries, there will be a greater chance for them to take advantage of the digital nature of the future that they will face. If there is a chance to issue students notebook computers, their chances are better to learn and acquire new knowledge and skills in less the time and effort that it will take if they will be schooled in the old ways. Their search for information and knowledge will be greatly accelerated and enhanced. If they are familiar and/or become experts in using the tools in what it takes to get the best jobs in the world, our outsourcing industry will have a chance to be what our planners want it to be.

Introducing the kids to technology early in life can help them cope in the very competetive world that they were born to.

But what does it take to educate these kids to be prepared and excel in a very digital future that they will face? A lot of money? A lot of political will? Of course the government don't have the money, the means and the balls to finance the digital education of this future generation. Only few kids will have the fortune to be introduced to computers, digital technology and more so to digital education.

The best bet is for the private sector to reposition their schools to introduce digital curricula. At first glance, it may be expensive to purchase computers and digital contents such as textbook, libraries, etc. But the reality is, all these media and tools can be purchased at a discount, terms and grants from international institutions, big corporations and rich angels. Things don't happen in one-day. They can start with one class, and then progress as the money comes. I believe parents will support this initiative and will be willing to shell out some portion of the total cost. The long-term is very promising though, as the business of offering digital curricula is an industry that has to see its peak. The school operators who will bite this basement opportunity has a lot to look forward to.

The business model of building digital curricula for grammar schools is very promising in middle-class communities. The public school system has yet to adopt, among other things, free breakfast and lunch for poor students before dreaming of a digital curricula. Otherwise it will be a waste since it is very hard to learn on an empty stomach.

Whatever it is though, if there's a chance to adopt a digital curricula, do it. All other areas of new knowledge will flow thru the digital highway. If these highways are already built, and the people already know how to travel in it, then there is hope that we can get faster to where we want to go.