Tag: innovation
How to Think About Universal Access
It is a truth universally acknowledged, that any person in possession of a mobile phone must be in want of an Internet connection. Please allow that mangling of Jane Austen to exist as a placeholder for the assumption that everyone having affordable access...
Spectrum and the Paradox of the ITU
The International Telecommunications Union (ITU) is a paradox. It is simultaneously an enabler and an obstacle to progress when it comes to radio spectrum. Formed in the late 19th century, one of the ITU’s key roles over time has been...
Everyday Internet Miracles
Imagine for a minute that you’ve just bought a new stove. The old stove just wasn’t doing all you needed so you’ve bought a new German-engineered stove. It’s Saturday morning and you’ve managed to get the stove in place, it...
Sympathy for the Tinkerer
Tinkering gets a bad rap and I am making it my personal mission to rehabilitate the term. I keep an eye out for articles about tinkering and it is dismaying to see tinkerers getting the same raw deal as “hackers”. ...
Africa, Innovation, and The Incredibles
Philip Auerswald recently took advantage of arch-villain Syndrome (from the Pixar movie The Incredibles) to paint a tongue-in-cheek picture of his relationship with Bill Easterly. Entertained and emboldened by this, I was reminded of my own insight from watching (more...