[OT] life in different places; "to work or not to work?"

[Michael Shigorin]

Thanks, Duncan.

On Sun, Mar 19, 2006 at 07:00:36AM +0200, Duncan Anderson wrote:
> In my part of rural South Africa, "wasting time" surfing the
> internet would solve one of the major problems faced by young
> people: boredom.

What would they eat?

> If you have nothing to do, and no resources, it is not
> surprising if you go off to the nearest town and do some crime.

It is.  I've met this "logic" both in Kazakhstan (closer to
China) -- when "dzhigit" is not up to some work, but still he
wants to eat.  And usualy has large enough family which he's
brought with himself from mountains down to Alma-Ata.

So they find it natural to go raping and pillaging, even if they
have enough land -- and good land -- to prosper *if* they worked.

Is it really impossible to move to a place where agriculture 
is striving and put one's hand to it?  I've quite forgotten even
those pieces of Africa's geography and economy that was taught
at school (let alone knowing it is/was accurate) -- but is it?

Not that I'm thinking African youth is only to plant potatoes
-- just don't think they're that different from us here, even
if the land is very different.  So far folks were very the same
and even the life problems were similar, be it NZ or UK or UA
or KZ.

One of folks in our yard (living in a flat almost above me) --
I don't know for sure but seems like he was narcoman several
years ago -- managed to change that and try and climb out of that
boredom, he's studying and working.  Seems like "working" is what
keeps from boredom.  Glad for him.

> Rip off the rich folks. It certainly relieves the boredom and
> you may end up with some money to spend on "civilised" items
> like coca-cola, KFC, etc. My wife's purse was snatched by an
> "idle youth" and several purchases were made with one of her
> credit cards, despite us having reported it stolen. The
> interesting thing is what was bought: KFC and shoes.

Sorry, what is KFC?  Fried chicken like google suggests?

> A $100 laptop would go a long way in alleviating the main
> problems of boredom through unemployment and lack of education.

Some folks I know might say that either narcotics or euthanasia
(depending on "ethics" they tend to proclaim) would be way better
"social cure" for such an "idle youth"...

I don't support these but I also can imagine how folks will be
desiring $1000 laptops and what will follow if those who "helped"
them this way didn't pay attention to teach them to work *and*
find joy in what they're doing.

George Soros destroyed quite a few leaders of science olympic
"games" here (and AFAIH in Russia), maybe even not wanting it:
the top prize was a computer and those who won it weren't #1 
next time, rather #3 with significant tension.  They've read
stuff (locally; there was no noticeable internet here ten years
ago).  They've programmed things.  They've played games.  
But all in all, it has *widely hurt* their study and their
abilities.

Three friends of mine were #1s there (in chemistry, physics and
math); last time I was runner-up (7th place after 1 + 2x2 + 3x3
or so in chemistry).  One of them is dead by now, the other
worked for a few years as a computer club admin while he was
absolutely brilliant scientist; third is in Canada.
We all should have been 27 this year.

> The "wasting of time" referred to by the previous poster would
> be highly beneficial in terms of giving people a glimpse of the
> world beyond the narrow confines of their existence, and it
> would certainly have a hugely educative effect.  My 2c worth.

But what would they do when they want to eat, again?
It's kind of recurring item they might even note on
their notebook calendars.

-- 
 ---- WBR, Michael Shigorin <mike at altlinux.ru>
  ------ Linux.Kiev http://www.linux.kiev.ua/