The unexotic underclass
miter.mit.edu
The unexotic underclass
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Re: The unexotic underclass
#2Why is web/app devlopment responsible for fixing all of society's problems? Most of the problems the author mentioned have more to do with civic education and a politically weak middle class. How many of the smartest engineers are toiling away for Oil companies? Arent't they supposed to be fixing the world with their super powers? 20 something developers are just a lucky bunch, right time and right place, and god bless them for it. If the world could, it would outsource and marginalize their livelihoods, like it has for so many others (and it most likely will at some point, booms and busts). Most are wondering if they'll even be in same career past 40. Seriously, let it go, they really don't have it THAT good.
Re: The unexotic underclass
#3Why is web/app devlopment responsible for fixing all of society's problems? Most of the problems the author mentioned have more to do with civic education and a politically weak middle class. How many of the smartest engineers are toiling away for Oil companies? Arent't they supposed to be fixing the world with their super powers? 20 something developers are just a lucky bunch, right time and right place, and god ble…
Web/app development is not responsible for this. People are. One way to move the needle would be to not go into web/app development, instead starting something that directly serves people who have the problems in the article. It could be as boring as enterprisey CRUD done right. A medical network for health professionals and users. Physical products. Face to face services, where technology is not the point but merely the tool.
Re: The unexotic underclass
#4It is easy to see how the exotic underclass can be helped by an entrepreneur: they are technologically behind in one way or another. Someone can create technology tailored to their needs and solve their problems.
By comparison, problems facing the unexotic underclass are generally much more difficult to solve through technology. Most of their problems are sociological, economic and political in nature.
Re: The unexotic underclass
#5Why is web/app devlopment responsible for fixing all of society's problems? Most of the problems the author mentioned have more to do with civic education and a politically weak middle class. How many of the smartest engineers are toiling away for Oil companies? Arent't they supposed to be fixing the world with their super powers? 20 something developers are just a lucky bunch, right time and right place, and god ble…
Web/app development is not responsible for this. People are. One way to move the needle would be to not go into web/app development, instead starting something that directly serves people who have the problems in the article. It could be as boring as enterprisey CRUD done right. A medical network for health professionals and users. Physical products. Face to face services, where technology is not the point but merely…
Here's an example: digital music for prisoners.
http://www.spin.com/articles/prison-jail-music-mp3s-access-j...