Technology infusion

Oct 29, 2008 Features / Columnists

Introduction
When we discuss technology in a broad sense, most of us view it from the context of artifacts. (The manufactured objects of technological design: cell phones, IPods, computers etc) One does not think of technology as to its history, origin, and a meaning and purpose.
Technology has its origin from the word “techne,” which was derived from an Indo-European word — “teks”. The word “techne” means the techniques or methods of creating and improving things or artifacts. Since the concept of technology cannot be define as just the artifacts, we can say that “technology is not a collection of things, but rather a systemic and rational way of doing things; it is in general the organization of knowledge, people, and things to accomplish specific practical goals”.

THE BENEFITS OF INFUSING TECHNOLOGY
In using such a definition, technology can be of great benefit to our nation. If we can pinpoint the many technologies that will organize our knowledge, people and things to accomplish certain practical goals, it would be as important as having a mineral resource base.
One major technology infusion has been in the Guyana Revenue Authority. A system of checks and balances is currently being installed that, if used correctly, can improve the efficiency of this office. In a recent column, I discussed improving the Licence Revenue Office by the development of a system that will allow for the issuing of licences and subsequently creating a database for the security force. There is also the technology of building the road to Brazil to a deep water harbour. The building of a light rail system could improve on the madness and lawless minibus culture. The introduction of parking meters and a structured parking system can help regulate congestion in Georgetown. The building of parking garages within the city also can be used as a decongestion solution. The introduction of zero taxes and incentives on the importation of alternative energy sources like wind and solar can allow consumers to resell to the electricity grid. There are many technologies that we can employ that can improve the lives of the citizens and make our nation a better place.
In our rural areas, we need to install kiosks (similar to an ATM machine) where our hinterland can also access the technology. Actually, in India, these are being installed, where one can request birth certificates and other government business all from a standalone Kiosks.
The most important infusion we can inject into our education system is computer labs in all schools. This is of the utmost importance, and I challenge the Education Ministry to work on this as a top priority.
CONCLUSION
The local Internet café revolution is a good start. There, people have access to the artifacts (computers, scanners etc) of a technological system. Now we have to improve on that and socialize people into thinking of technology as more than just artifacts. Artifacts are just the end products of technology.
When we look at technology as just artifacts, we define it as “toys for the rich,” rather than “necessities of the poor”. All over rural Guyana, where people don’t have access to an iPhone or an iPod, they think that they are locked out from technology. But if we use that definition above, they are not. It is now up to public and private institutions to employ massive technological systems to better the lives of the citizens. By technological system, we take this definition that a technological system is “a complex of techniques, knowledge and resources that are employed by human beings in the creation of materials and social artifacts that typically serve certain functions perceived as useful or desirable in relations’ interests in various social contexts” Until next time. “Roop”.