I was very interested in this story over on K5. Not just because it's "interesting" but because it's the sort of story that makes K5 a unique and valuable community. It's really amazing to see folks come together and discuss a whole range of topics and ideas on a daily basis, and then to realize that most of these people really don't know who they're talking to.

On a more personal note, the idea of being a "Geek Volunteer" in a less developed country sounds like something I might want to try someday. Not today or tomorrow, but I can certainly see myself doing it at some point. I really think I'd end up learning far more than I could teach anyone. It would be a great experience, I'm sure. The real question is how to decide when it's right to extract yourself from day-to-dat living and do something like this.

Maybe you "just know" when the time is right.

Anway, go read the story. I look forward to reading the author's progress.

Posted by jzawodn at September 03, 2002 10:20 PM

Reader Comments
# kasia said:

Certainly sounds like more interesting work than writing validation classes for some obscure transaction requests..

Something good for humanity for a change? I should try that..

on September 4, 2002 05:24 AM
# Dan de Isaacs said:

Z, you could do something like this in a third world place and still live at La Casa de Familia Zawodny. Detroit is only an hour drive. :)

on September 4, 2002 07:33 AM
# Ask Bjoern Hansen said:

No, you don't "just know" when the time is right.

If you want to do something you have to decide to do it and go for it. Or decide that you want to do it in the future, but not right now. Then you have to reconsider once in a while, is the time right now? No? Why not? What is missing? What would make it right? And so on until you either drop the idea or actually do it. You can't just wait until the time magically "is right".

That's like not going up to the babe because "if it's right I'll meet her again and it'll just be right" or some stupid thing like that. Things doesn't just happen; they only happen if you make them.


- ask

on September 4, 2002 04:15 PM
# Janus said:

This two-year old Salon article deals with similar subject: datamining for human rights violations.

That sounds like a worthwhile thing to do; code datamining applications and help bust some really nasty people.

http://archive.salon.com/tech/col/garf/2000/09/08/patrick_ball/

Janus

on September 12, 2002 07:28 AM
# Gatlinburg said:

Very Interesting

on June 19, 2003 09:33 AM
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