Live data from Hacker News

Google To Invest Millions in Palestine

blog.bazinga.ps

11–20 of 64 posts

Re: Google To Invest Millions in Palestine

#11
post #5
post #2

As someone with family in Israel and strong views on the ME conflict, I think this is great news. Anything which supports/encourages the Palestinians making their own lives better and producing stuff which doesn't explode is a good thing for everyone in the region. This sort of thing is how a viable Palestinian state is going to come about, if ever.

On the other hand, your government's policies have stifled Palestinians in both regions, in food, shelter, security, and basic medical care. It's kind of hard to produce anything when your house is demolished by bulldozers and your town's farm is burned. This sort of thing is how a viable Palestinian state is going to come about, if ever.

That is trolling. All you're doing is reciting your standard "Israel is evil occupier" routine typical of someone of a certain political bias. No sources or added incite. It is however a fact, that since a high percentage of suicide bombers came out of Palestinian territories when compared to other countries, it is accurate to imply that a different economic course could diminish the terrorist aspect of the Palestinian economy. endtime's comment may seem inflammatory to you, but it is only objective recognition of economic factors. Your's is analysis of far more complex issues and simplifying of the moral choices in the conflict.

Re: Google To Invest Millions in Palestine

#12
post #10
post #9

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I think there's no talent there because: 1. I never knew a Palestinian developer on any mailing list or other forum. 2. I never knew of any software or technological product developed in Palestine. 3. I never knew of any notable developer or software developed in ANY of the Muslim states in the middle east, and that's a huge evidence given that there are >100 million Muslims there.

Maybe you're just not looking hard enough: http://arabcrunch.com/

Indeed http://www.startuparabia.com/navigate/countries/palestine/

Re: Google To Invest Millions in Palestine

#13
post #10
post #9

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I think there's no talent there because: 1. I never knew a Palestinian developer on any mailing list or other forum. 2. I never knew of any software or technological product developed in Palestine. 3. I never knew of any notable developer or software developed in ANY of the Muslim states in the middle east, and that's a huge evidence given that there are >100 million Muslims there.

Maybe you're just not looking hard enough: http://arabcrunch.com/

I am sure they exist, but the fact I didn't hear of any cool ones says a lot. I never see a cool "Show HN" start-up which is from the Muslim middle-east.

And to remind you, we are talking about the entire Muslim middle-east here, with >100 million people who live in relative wealth and comfort. But Google is investing in Palestine, who are only a few millions who live in poverty and danger.

Re: Google To Invest Millions in Palestine

#14
Inflammatory title. The story is about investments in Gaza and the West Bank. 'Palestine' is not a country, it's a name for an entire region, including Israel and parts of Jordan, Lebanon and Syria. The author probably meant 'Palestinian National Authority'.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Palestine

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Palestinian_National_Authority

Re: Google To Invest Millions in Palestine

#15
post #6

I wonder, why are they doing this? I mean, the reason tech companies go to Israel is because there's an enormous concentration of talent there. Why would they go to Palestine? I don't think there's any talent there. Is this a humanitarian thing? I'd be happy to hear first-hand experiences from people who worked with Palestinian developers or with software produced by Palestinian developers.

(I'm a googler, but I didn't cut this deal , so I can't speak to the deal teams)

I was just in jordan and met a number of Palestinians (expat and visiting from the region) and I can only say that they seemed as technical as any hacker I've met in Cambridge or in the Valley. (this means that I met people as smart and as inexperienced as I've met in those places too)

They work under what we'd consider tougher conditions (less reliable power and rough and tumble internet connections) but that doesn't keep people from experimenting and learning.

As a funny side note, do you know what SICP sells for in Jordan? 11$! (the jd is pegged to the us currency)

Re: Google To Invest Millions in Palestine

#16
post #9
post #8

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I wonder, why do you think there's no talent there? Do you think Google would have done some due diligence before hand?

I think there's no talent there because: 1. I never knew a Palestinian developer on any mailing list or other forum. 2. I never knew of any software or technological product developed in Palestine. 3. I never knew of any notable developer or software developed in ANY of the Muslim states in the middle east, and that's a huge evidence given that there are >100 million Muslims there.

I remember seeing Gamezer[1] on Google Trends 2010[2] and being surprised. It really struck a cord that I hadn't heard of a game/game company that was a top 10 google trend keyword. It's top regional is Palestine.

[1] http://gamezer.com/

[2] http://www.google.com/intl/en/press/zeitgeist2010/ http://www.google.com/insights/search/#date=1%2F2010%2012m&#...

Re: Google To Invest Millions in Palestine

#17
post #6

I wonder, why are they doing this? I mean, the reason tech companies go to Israel is because there's an enormous concentration of talent there. Why would they go to Palestine? I don't think there's any talent there. Is this a humanitarian thing? I'd be happy to hear first-hand experiences from people who worked with Palestinian developers or with software produced by Palestinian developers.

Hmmm declaring the people of a territory you occupy to be less talented than your own people. Reminds me of something

Re: Google To Invest Millions in Palestine

#18

Is Google in the practice of making these kinds of investments in very early stage tech sectors? What is in this for them?

Yes. I didn't cut this deal, mind you, so I can't speak for Gisele, but we do indeed make these kinds of investments if anything as early as possible in a region.

It might be perceived as riskier, but I would say that it's likely only slightly riskier than funding a startup anywhere else.

Re: Google To Invest Millions in Palestine

#19
post #15
post #6

I wonder, why are they doing this? I mean, the reason tech companies go to Israel is because there's an enormous concentration of talent there. Why would they go to Palestine? I don't think there's any talent there. Is this a humanitarian thing? I'd be happy to hear first-hand experiences from people who worked with Palestinian developers or with software produced by Palestinian developers.

(I'm a googler, but I didn't cut this deal , so I can't speak to the deal teams) I was just in jordan and met a number of Palestinians (expat and visiting from the region) and I can only say that they seemed as technical as any hacker I've met in Cambridge or in the Valley. (this means that I met people as smart and as inexperienced as I've met in those places too) They work under what we'd consider tougher condition…

Interesting, thanks!

Re: Google To Invest Millions in Palestine

#20

Inflammatory title. The story is about investments in Gaza and the West Bank. 'Palestine' is not a country, it's a name for an entire region, including Israel and parts of Jordan, Lebanon and Syria. The author probably meant 'Palestinian National Authority'. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Palestine http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Palestinian_National_Authority

[deleted]
Post reply on HN