Oil in Cambodia

Here is a link to an article outlining the trouble that oil will cause in Cambodia. The quote “factors are already in place to suggest that the impact may not be all positive” is the understatement of the year. The increased revenues will only increase the corruption and further expand the growing chasm between the elite and the poor. In the last two years, the American presence in Cambodia increased dramatically — a massive new Embassy (built by Thai and Vietnamese labour, of course) and an increased military presence hinted at the value of the oil hidden beneath the Sea of Thailand. Though the oil is valuable, the true cost of the exploitation will be immeasurable and far reaching for the citizens of Cambodia.

$100 Laptops?

Here’s good news — The $100 laptop designed for use in developing countries isn’t selling like the founder had thought. Just another example of westerners imposing a need on those in impoverished countries – solving a problem that didn’t need to be solved. How about designing a $100 water purifying system that makes water safe to drink? Kills giardia?

C heck out the story below:
http://www.guardian.co.uk/technology/2007/sep/27/guardianweeklytechnologysection.olpc

“Development” in Cambodia

In my grad class we’re talking about the term Third World, or the Developing World. Above is a picture taken in May, 2007 of a village on Boeng Kak Lake in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. However, this village is being buldozed because the government sold off the rights to the lake to a “development” company that kicked all of the residents out, and is filling it in to sell the land. This new development will create economic growth as construction companies build high rises to attract multinational corporations and mansions for the rich. The GNP of Cambodia will rise, and it follows that they are more developed, right?