Think about it:
We talk about the wonders of science, technology and medicine, but fail to mention that the majority of the developing world ( especially in Africa ) have actually been regressing since these wonders began to occur.
Someone will respond with the usual arguments and say,
- “Before modern medicine came to Africa, child mortality rate was very high
- Before modern medicine came to Africa, people died of simple preventable diseases”
Science has worked wonders in the west, no doubt. The opposite has occurred in Africa. Consider the facts:
- Life expectancy continues to drop in Africa while it is rising in the west
- I believe the usual culprit ( HIV/AIDS ) is an exemption ( excuse? symptom? ) rather than the reason. For example, Ethiopia and Somalia do not have high rates of infection.
- In America, scientist and policy makers are now discussing possibilities using technology to slow the aging process, promising life expectancy of 150+
- Food shortage is increasing in Africa while there is over supply of food in the west
- According to APPMA , the 2008 USA expenditure on pets is $43.4B. This includes food, medical care and general well being. There are 71m homes with pets.
- In fact, most African children would live better lives if they were to be adopted as pets in the west!
- Perhaps this “petting” of African kids will occur “naturally”, and we will be okay with it, the same way we have no problem with Madonna, BraNgelina, others adopting kids from distressed families in Africa
- More Africans die of preventable diseases and newer “western” diseases than before
- More Africans die from unnatural causes ( wars, environmental pollution, etc ) than they did before the introduction of modern technology to Africa
- Generally, affluence increases in the west, while it generally decreases in Africa
Again, consider that:
As life expectancy rises in the west, newer challenges are coming up. Newer resources would be needed to support this “new” population. The world has a fixed supply of resources, so resources have to be moved around somehow. For example, there is need for more medical support personnel to assist the longer living non-working population in the USA, UK, CA and Australia. So far, it seems, the answer has been to draw these well trained people from developing nations to meet this need.
So, science has greatly benefited people in the developed world. The benefits of science, technology and medicine is very minimal for the vast majority of Africans.
Given that A1=Advancement in science, technology and medicine, L1=Better Lifestyle in the West, L2=Better lifestyle in the Africa, H1=Good Health in the west, H2=Good Health in Africa, G1=Increased longevity in the west, G2=Increased longevity in the Africa
I posit that:
A1
(L1)(H1)(G1),
A1
The Constant of proportionality includes such things as negative impacts of ethnicity in Africa, uneven playing field for scramble for limited resources, race and politics and human to human relations between the west and Africa.
It is also quite obvious, that while the practice of science helped reduced poverty in the west, it’s application is increasingly becoming expensive and out of reach for poor people. Science has become very expensive. How then do you buy it, and use it to drive youself out of poverty?
Perhaps it is time Africa stopped believing that the current practice of science is beneficial to her, and found newer ways to practice science, technology and medicine. Ways that worked for her.
But will anyone listen? No, we shall continue to drum and shout about the wonders of science, technology and medicine.
Two days ago, I saw on the internet that they just cloned the first dogs. Some people were so excited at the news they wished that their dog would be cloned so as to outlive them both. Lots of money went into successfully cloning the dog, not to mention the dogs that were never successfully cloned. Me and my roomie had a ‘debate’ after that. Like, this may mean that some day people live for much longer. At some point the discussion went into stem cell research, curing Alzheimer’s bla bla bla. It feels, ah, weird, for so much money to be spent to keep old people alive when others who haven’t lived for even 5 years of their lives continue to die of diseases that are non-existent in these other parts of the world. But it’s their money and they live in free-will country. they can do as they please, and it’s not our right to take them on a guilt trip for the choices they make given the circumstances they are in.
That said, it’s time we Africans developed Africa. We have been shortchanged in the past but blaming others for our problems, rightly or wrongly, doesn’t help any. What’s worse and makes my heart bleed, we are leaving home in drones, giving our best years implementing the same systems we love to complain about, and only manage to go back home to retire. Sad. STOP BITCHING, GO HOME NOW.
proudkikuyuwoman,
Thanks for visiting,
Are you saying i am bitching? Hope not, because if you are, it shows everything i wrote just passed you by!
What i am basically saying is that, science has worked wonders, but the wonders are passing us by, so we need to find radical and innovative ways of making science work for us.
Hi Toiyoi,
I read through the entire posts but two points jumped at me:
1) For example, there is need for more medical support personnel to assist the longer living non-working population in the USA, UK, CA and Australia. So far, it seems, the answer has been to draw these well trained people from developing nations to meet this need.
2) But will anyone listen? No, we shall continue to drum and shout about the wonders of science, technology and medicine.
On 2) above I added my own to your answer-We shall continue working in the West, lamenting on how the wonders of science and technology have not bypassed us. Sorry for using the term bitching in place of lamenting.
Now my friend, what do you think in terms of us being here instead of being ‘back home’, finding newer ways to practice science, technology and medicine, ways that worked for us? Ignore for a minute the $ part, if it’s at all possible.
Can’t I edit? I meant …lamenting on how the wonders of science and technology have bypassed us….or have not worked for us.
Edit: unfortunately,no
Why not go back home?
As you may have realized, it is easier said than done. For many reasons.
But even assuming it was easy (if it were, i would be there in a second ), we lack that necessary infrastructure to absorb the kind of knowledge we have acquired over here ( the type needed for that mighty forward push). Now, let me see who to blame for that. Mmmh, i think the politicians decide where the money for such things go.. it is very much a political process )
-indulge me in wishful thinking
- One day, Kimunya takes Nyong’o hand and says “We jaruo, take these $500M, set up a center for Protein and Proteomics in Kisumu, and have your fellow idle Jaruos with PhD export their talent”
- you know as i do, that shall never happen. And you know that scenario is being repeated everywhere in Africa
-you see why we are all going down Hill?
I will give you my example: If i went back to Nairobi/Kampala/Dar,where will i find the facility to carry out my trade?
We, me I don’t know. I just hope I don’t die going back!
You and your posts are dearly missed.
Pole proud lady. Just got disillusioned. DO not like being a bearer of bad news/thoughts.
Looking for more positive things to think on, but has not been very successful. Perhaps there are none. meanwhile you could see my buddy’s blog that has softer tones at kenya.fm
Thanks for checking..