Singularity University

 

For me, Singularity University seems to be a venue for an elite few who turn to technological fixes at the expense of listening to expertise from diverse individuals from diverse groups with diverse knowledge and ways of knowing and doing.  It is the antithesis of community based learning as we have discussed in this masters program.  

No one group has all the answers and no one group can make decisions for all.

There are many different types of intelligence and an infinite numbers of ways of learning and sharing knowledge and skills, and we must never forget the essential role of wisdom.  We need experience and experience in the real world to acquire wisdom. 

I do agree that we have to relate this technology to primary and secondary school students and teachers.  We should question, however, the potential negative impact such an elite approach would have on students who do not fit this elite world and who do not have this type and level of knowledge and skills.  The message we should be giving our students is that all have something special to offer and all are capable of helping the world to create healthy environments for all.

For decades now, the European approach to overcoming global problems is to focus on technological solutions, primarily quick fixes.  This approach seeks to justify the ongoing mass destruction of our ecology, cultures, and ways of living by luring people throughout the world into believing that we can continue to live in the manner we are today.  How can technological fixes fit into people centred development, to grassroots, participatory, appreciative, and empowerment approaches to development?   What ever happened to connectivism and constructivism?