Count me in the event too. Let us know time and venue.
About being appreciated in Kenya, I will also add my voice:
If anyone is in an environment where s/he thinks differently or has a different perspective on issues then that person will face challenges and discouraging remarks (even for good ideas) from that society. Don't blame the society, it simply because they don't know any better. But YOU DO!
A lot of people, especially the old, are afraid of what they cannot understand. They have no space to appreciate a different perspective or a fresh new way to life. If this 'old' way of thinking dominates the decision making organs then don't have high expectations for new stuff. I believe this is the difference between Kenya and 'developed' nations. However these 'developed' nations have gone through a learning curve that has made them appreciate new stuff. Kenya is now going through this curve: I heard that in the old days a person could be hang for saying the world is not flat!
It's up to us, the generation that understands innovation to put things right and in perspective. That needs brave people who can stand among a majority of wrong thinkers and put them straight, not by words but by deeds. What Ken and others are doing is very right, showing by deeds. I think we should face it, what we need are people who can act and people who can pick others up and help them act for the greater good be it technology or politics.
I believe what we as techies are doing now will be very much appreciated by future Kenyan techies. I believe a few years ago, Skunkworks and other kenyan tech lists did not have muscle but now we have built muscle such that business people and government can look at us seriously.
So step by step lets change the 'old' school of thought. If we want a Kenya that appreciates innovation, then lets innovate, make a livelihood out of our innovations, show society how our local innovations has helped them. If a person can do that even without uttering a single word who will question him/her?
O_O
--- On Wed, 4/22/09, Alex Gakuru <gakuru@gmail.com> wrote:
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