Do-it-yourself in the Internet era: a TEDxDhaka talk by Nash Islam
Posted by Sajid Chowdhury on 09/3/13 in TEDxDhaka Talks
“With the rise of the Internet, individuals now have unprecedented access to information. And if you are one of those lucky individuals that has access to the Internet, you are more empowered than ever before to learn almost anything you want. You are more empowered to do almost anything you want. And when so many can do anything they want, that can change everything.”
Nash’s inspiring talk highlights the power of access to information. He begins with the story of William Kamkwamba, a Malawian inventor, author, and TED Fellow. William was forced to drop out of school because his father was unable to pay school fees, which led William to a nearby library, where he learned the skills needed to create a windmill that powered appliances in his family’s home.
After William’s story was discovered, he was eventually invited to speak at TEDGlobal 2007 in Tanzania, where, for the first time, he was introduced to a world of modern technology and to the internet. “Where was this Google all the time that I needed it?!”
Nash then moves on the importance of search literacy — the ability to find information and determine good information from and information — and of the value of being auto-didactic, of being able to learn without a teacher or formal education. This is applicable not only to individuals, but to organisations, too.
Nash winds up his talk with the message that the do-it-yourself movement is here, and that it starts with you.
Nash Islam is an entrepreneur & advocate for mobile, cloud & internet as socio-economic development tools. He is the co-Founder & CEO at Mangoes Mobile, Inc., a former Google employee, and one of the core organizers of Google Business Groups, Dhaka.
I love this speech. Very inspiring. Is there any coming up event on TEDx Dhaka? I wanna join.