FOXNews.com - Views - Straight Talk - Globalization, Culture & Freedom

I completely agree with the potential for technology in Africa...

FOXNews.com - Views - Straight Talk - Globalization, Culture & Freedom: "But perhaps the world�s greatest reservoir of wasted human talent -- that is, ability that never gets to the world at the level it deserves -- is Africa. And, because of that, it is probably Africa that has the most to gain from the communications revolution.
Africa has been exporting music to the world for centuries, of course. Almost every musical form of the past century -- from gospel, to ragtime, to blues, to jazz, to rock and roll, to reggae, to techno -- has its roots in African musical styles. And African art has influenced Western artists from Picasso to Modigliani to Renee Stout.
The world has gotten a lot from Africa. Africa, however, has gotten much less from the world. But that may change now that Africans are working in media that can make money, and now that the Internet and other communications technologies make it easier to get their work out, and other people�s money in. In fact, it�s already happening."...

Given that there are as many Africans with talent and ambition as you’ll find anywhere else, these lowered barriers are likely to mean that African musicians, actors, producers and directors will enter the global market at a growing rate. And given that -- historically -- African culture has been very appealing to the world at large, the growth of inexpensive communications technologies is likely to mean a greater Africanization of world culture in general.

The consequences are likely to be interesting. The rap against American culture from many anti-globalization types has been that it spreads Western ideas that corrupt "traditional" cultures. Yet, if you look at the lists of African songs, you find more religious influence than you find in similar American charts, including many Christian-influenced songs. (The song Virgin, by Kenyan band Born Twice, extols the value of virginity.)

Likewise, the Nigerian film industry, based in Christian southern Nigeria, is heavily Christian-influenced, producing works that make the "Left Behind" films look downright secular by comparison. Its continental rival, the Ghanaian film industry, has a similar orientation, with a heavy inclination toward Pentecostalism.

If these industries grow, the result will likely be a far more Christianized Third World. It will be interesting to hear what the anti-globalization folks say if the growth of Third World entertainment industries leads to a far more conservative media climate around the world.

Regardless, new technologies have produced jobs and prospects for many in Africa that were almost unimaginable back in 1985. Which raises a question: The rock stars who gave of their time to perform at Live Aid received much public praise for their selflessness. But what of the engineers and scientists whose work made these new technologies possible? Will they get similar praise?

I doubt it. But you might pause a moment as you make your Christmas videos to recognize the work of those technologists and engineers who -- far more than rock stars, however selfless -- have by their efforts made the world a better place, with more opportunities for all. They don’t get noticed enough.