​“Poverty is a veil that obscures the face of greatness. An appeal is a mask covering the face of tribulation.”

Khalil Gibran

 

Poverty is the state in which people do not possess the financial resources to afford daily human needs like shelter and food.

It is argued that the advantages of technology should be exploited by public policy developers to ensure that citizen’s needs are met but it is important to consider the limitations of modern technology usage in underdeveloped countries.

 

In this post we will explore four types of technologies (IoT, 3D printing, holography and nanotechnology) that can be used to improve an informal settlement like Diepsloot. Making use of modern technology has the potential to fast track development if it is used correctly but the impact these technologies have on the societal divide is of great concern.

 

The Internet of Things

According to Lindqvist and Neumann (2017:26) The Internet of Things (IoT) has the ability to use and encompass a wide range of connected devices, basically anything that can be connected to the Internet like phones, toasters and even cars. The IoT is a system of interconnected and interdependent devices that function together through both a communication network as well as software systems to accomplish a certain task. An example- the infrastructure sectors use IoT devices such as sensors to monitor and control oil and natural gas levels remotely.

My recommendation for using this technology in Diepsloot is aimed at improving infrastructure. By using Smart Building technology that uses automatic fault detection, the community will be able to build reliable infrastructure to prevent it from getting damaged or collapsing during floods. By implementing Smart Building technology it is possible to prevent time, labour and cost losses”.

3D Printing

This is a process of creating a three dimensional object by printing multiple thin layers on top of one another under computer control.

Chin (2016) suggests that 3D printing can be used in the public transport sector. It reduces costs and time as well as reduce the reliance on manual labour. In 2016 an electric 3D printed bus was introduced- seating 12 passengers and has the ability to converse with them. The Diepsloot community can use this form of public transport within their community.

7D Hologram

Holography is the science of creating holograms which can be experienced in seven dimensions- it is a physical structure that uses light energy to create an image (Rushi and Hanumant, 2016:67).

Ferguson (2015) suggests that 7D hologram technology can be used in the health care sector. Patients’ health care will no longer be restricted by their locations and health professions will be able to use their time and resources more effectively resulting in more patients being seen.

Nanotechnology

Nanotechnology is a science that studies extremely small subjects and can be used in various scientific fields such as biology and chemistry. It understands and manipulates matter on nanoscale- manipulating products by using nanotechnology enhances the strength of the product.

According to Ravindranath (2016) scientists can use this technology to create personalised health care treatment plans for each patient and eventually design robots to work safely with people.

Technology vs. physiological needs

When one discusses poverty, one must also discuss wealth as they are indisputably linked. Nolan (2016) argues that poverty is mainly caused by broken governments that do not redistribute adequately. Although I agree with this statement, I also find it to be problematic. To eradicate poverty completely would call for more than just a change in economic strategy, it would call for pervasive changes in policy.

While there is a family in an underdeveloped county that struggles to have daily meals, people in developed countries create modern technology and offers it as a solution to poverty. How can one possibly even explain to someone who lives in poverty that they need modern technology when they do not even have the luxury of daily shelter and food?

 

In an ideal world, governments would have focused on eradicating poverty before introducing modern technology- because by introducing these technologies, it only enlarges the chasm between the rich and the poor. The chasm is created by the poverty stricken counties that cannot partake in global development and thus they fall behind in development even more.

Sadly we live in a world where capitalism feeds off poverty, a world where the rich get richer and the poor get poorer.

 

Yvonne Jansen

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List of Sources

Chin, C. 2016. Four areas for 3D printing in Government. https://govinsider.asia/digital-gov/four-areas-for-3d-printing-in-government/ Date of access: 18 March 2017.

Ferguson, C. 2015. Holocare: 7D Healthcare in Hyperdrive. http://prognocis.com/holocare-7d-healthcare-in-hyperdrive/ Date of access: 20 March 2017.

Lindqvist, U. & Neumann, P.G. 2017. The future of the Internet of Things. http://eds.b.ebscohost.com.nwulib.nwu.ac.za/eds/pdfviewer/pdfviewer?sid=b38439f0-459a-4410-9e04-f997c268d6c3%40sessionmgr101&vid=2&hid=108 Date of access: 18 March 2017.

 

Nolan, H. 2016. Poverty doesn’t need technology. It needs politics. http://theconcourse.deadspin.com/poverty-doesnt-need-technology-it-needs-politics-1789520902 Date of access: 20 March 2017.

 

Ravindranath, M. 2016. Here Is How Government Thinks Nanotech Will Transform Cyber. http://www.nextgov.com/cybersecurity/2016/08/heres-how-government-thinks-nanotech-will-transform-cyber/130393/ Date of access: 20 March 2017.

 

Rushi, R.D., & Hanumant, P.J. 2016. 7D Holographic Technology. http://webcache.googleusercontent.com/search?q=cache:iFmGfhZXZkIJ:www.ijritcc.org/download/conferences/ICRRTET_2016/ICRRTET_Track/1454482074_03-02-2016.pdf+&cd=3&hl=en&ct=clnk Date of access: 20 March 2017.