Friday, November 18, 2011

Week 14

Why might engineering solutions that work in the West, not work in Africa?

We have to recognize the Africa has a different culture. Things that we do and utilize for the betterment of life might be social or cultural taboos. They are also not provided with the same choices as we are. They might think that we are forcing things on them whether it might help them or not.


Africa has so much wealth (mineral ores, petroleum, arable land). Why is it not utilized?

They might be unaware of its existence. Minerals are held deep underground and more often then not it will take modern technology to use it. Even if they did know were it is the may not have the start up resources to use it. Sights were resources might be sights that are not meant to be disturbed.


What is the danger in generalizing an entire continent, like Africa? Why do you think it happens so often?

Africa is a continent made up many different countries. Many of those countries can also be split into different regions. Many languages and dialects separate Africa. It is also a place of many different cultures. This cultures have clashed many times over the years and may hold grudges.

1 comment:

  1. I am sure that people are aware of the existence of mineral and resource wealth in Africa. One of the biggest reasons it is not utilized, at least to a higher potential, is because of the widespread corruption in many of the African governments, as well as some of the major companies. Also, people are sometimes forced to work in these mines for little to no pay, which doesn’t help to create an economy and increases poverty. There is also a lot of fighting taking place over the lands that have these resources, and while this fighting is taking place, the resources can’t be accessed. Some foreign companies have the technology to access the mineral wealth in Africa, but if they access these resources, they aren’t helping any African people get jobs because the companies will likely bring in their own workers that are previously trained to do the work. (ENGL 106)

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