I think “giving” of any kind, money or else, is not a long-term solution to extreme poverty. For instance, microloans with interest promote profit-making activities and saving, which both lead to stability and security for the poor. A donation of the same microloan amount probably wouldn’t have the same outcome

Also, when I mentioned “innovative products” I wasn’t referring to iPhones, MacBooks etc. I was referring to products and services made specifically for people in extreme poverty. Products and services that will help them connect with information and the leveraging power of the internet etc.

Products and services like mobile internet, mobile banking and mobile phones. Right now, there is a huge gap between rich and poor because the devices that connect people to the internet are really expensive. The internet provides a leveraging access to information, people connection and low-overhead. This is a potent mix to put in the hands of people in extreme poverty.

Or maybe people living in poverty simply need access to rich tech entrepeneurs and the rich societies they live in so that they can sell them their own products and services, innovative or not.

Hence ‘gold farming’ Chinese sweatshops for MMORPGS.

The idea of Silicon Valley selling nifty tech products to the third world kind of puts the cart before the horse, no?

Also, I don’t know who you were debating, but I supect his or her idea of “giving” to people in poverty might involve more than mere money transfer, as your post suggests.

Keep fighting the good fight though,

-Toby

I think “giving” of any kind, money or else, is not a long-term solution to extreme poverty. For instance, microloans with interest promote profit-making activities and saving, which both lead to stability and security for the poor. A donation of the same microloan amount probably wouldn't have the same outcome

Also, when I mentioned “innovative products” I wasn't referring to iPhones, MacBooks etc. I was referring to products and services made specifically for people in extreme poverty. Products and services that will help them connect with information and the leveraging power of the internet etc.

Products and services like mobile internet, mobile banking and mobile phones. Right now, there is a huge gap between rich and poor because the devices that connect people to the internet are really expensive. The internet provides a leveraging access to information, people connection and low-overhead. This is a potent mix to put in the hands of people in extreme poverty.

Or maybe people living in poverty simply need access to rich tech entrepeneurs and the rich societies they live in so that they can sell them their own products and services, innovative or not.

Hence 'gold farming' Chinese sweatshops for MMORPGS.

The idea of Silicon Valley selling nifty tech products to the third world kind of puts the cart before the horse, no?

Also, I don't know who you were debating, but I supect his or her idea of “giving” to people in poverty might involve more than mere money transfer, as your post suggests.

Keep fighting the good fight though,

-Toby