“We are all familiar with the typical story of an isolated village at the edge of the forest. Some villagers have to go to town to buy a few necessities, and maybe to stock the village store. Others need to go to sell some products for cash. Villagers start to feel that the foot path to town is insufficient for their needs.
Village activists may even pursue the issue and organize the people to demand a better road. Eventually, public opinion is swayed, and a petition is submitted. The government, the villagers are pleasantly surprised, is amenable to the idea. Road-building eventually starts.
As completion date nears, the village organizes a welcome party for the first vehicle that is coming in. A few days later, the village wakes up to the rumble of engines and smell of diesel exhaust. The vehicles have come. And they are logging trucks, carrying men with chain saws.”
These are the first few paragraphs of a chapter in my book, Towards a Political Economy of Information. The book analyzes the social impacts of new information and communications technologies (ICT). It is a compilation of pieces I have written over the years.
I am making available for download the full text of the book here. The pdf file is 1.3Mb.
Roberto Verzola (Author)
4 Comments
Hi Obet!
Kamusta na? Idol talaga kita! I read your articles. Wala kang kakupas kupas.
Lagi ko ngang napapasok sa class discussion yung mga natutunan ko sayo.
I’m studying Masters in Library and Information Studies at UP. I’m currently working as Head Libraian at Union Church of Manila in Makati.
Wala na akong balita sa WNSP. Pero minsan sinisilip ko pa rin yung website ng Isis. Pero may contact pa ako kay mayang, luz at marillee karl.
O sya, kamusta na lang kina Karen and Chat.
Warm regards,
rhon
Generally I do not post on blogs, but I would like to say that this post really forced me to do so, Excellent post!
I’m Out!
Thanks for the encouraging words.
Salamat sa koment mo. Nasaan ang mga mali? Kahit mga 3 o 5 mali lang, para ma-correct ko.
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