Assumptions about Technology

Patrick Meier, Director of Crisis Mapping at Ushahidi (amongst other titles), has some refreshing thoughts about the limits of technology adaptation across different contexts:

I've spent the past week at the iLab in Liberia and got what I came for: an updated reality check on the limitations of technology adoption in developing countries. Below are some of the assumptions that I took for granted. They're perfectly obvious in hindsight and I'm annoyed at myself for not having realized their obviousness sooner. I'd be very interested in hearing from others about these and reading their lists. This need not be limited to one particular sector like ICT for Development (ICT4D) or Mobile Health (mHealth). Many of these assumptions have repercussions across multiple disciplines.

Click here to read his list (I can personally relate to the one about Nokia phones), which were quite possibly inspired by elevator pitches in Liberia.