Indigenous Ways In A Digital Age: Bill Gates Takes Bolivia Under Microsoft's Wing - Page 2

There are not really enough computers and Internet access in the indigenous areas but Microsoft has already begun to receive benefits from its work with the awarding of a contract for 5000 Quechua-use computers for schools in Bolivia. In many places there are a handful of computers and limited Internet access. One student complained of 8 computers for 240 students with the Internet access an hour away. But in Peru, where Quechua is also spoken, Chambi Quispe, principal of the Bernado Tambohuasco school in the scenic Andean town of Pisac thanked Microsoft for providing a way to interest the kids in learning to read and write — if only to chat with friends on-line.

I, personally, have no interest in Microsoft nor Windows as I have only used the '95 and '98 operating systems on oldish machines in Internet cafes here in rural Mexico. My first, and probably last, computer is my trusty Apple iBook and I would have preferred that Apple was gaining more market share in Latin America. The closest Apple dealer is five hours from here and few people use them; dedicated equipment is unavailable locally and Mayan is not soon going to be one of the Apple language choices. That is okay since my Spanish is “so-so” and my Mayan is extremely limited.

On the other hand, Evo Morales, the new and indigenous president of Bolivia, has been feared by the U.S. because of his pro-coca stance against the pressures of the U.S. to eradicate the medicinal and psycho-active plant. However, coca is a primary crop and sacred herb in the country. The American plan some years ago (sounds Reagan-esque to me) to convince the Indians to convert to blueberry farming didn't work – which was hardly surprising.

The question now is whether President Morales, who has visited Fidel Castro and Hugo Chavez, is really a demagogue and “leftist” or is merely showing that he will not be controlled by America's preoccupation and fear of psycho-active herbs. Coca is of little interest to me since it is an expensive habit in the U.S. — underline expensive. It is also deadly to people with cardiac problems, especially those with rhythm dysfunctions. I do use an herb here in the Yucatan called “hoja santa” (sainted leaf) whose Mayan name I have lost. However, it is used to wrap fish like a banana leaf or put in a stew and merely tastes good (and is said to be medicinal). It does not do the awful thing the PDR warns of morphine, demerol, and others – give “an enhanced sense of well-being”. What, I wonder, is wrong with enhancing one's sense of well being?

Article Author: Howard Dratch

Howard writes on science, books, movies and news for Blogcritics and on his own blogs from the border of North and Central America.

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