Topical Presentation: Computer's Role in Society

So I've taken a gamble and will be the first to present this semester in class. Not only will I be getting this assignment out of the way, but I'll be given double credit for my bravery. Finding an interesting, recent, and relevant issue related with such a broad subject has proven more difficult than expected. Every time I get what seems to be a good idea, I usually criticize it to the point where I don't want to do it anymore, and I begin the process over again. However, after extensive research I had finally come to a topic of interest.

I have decided to do my presentation on the One Laptop Per Child program, which was discussed recently in the online Wall Street Journal.

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB119586754115002717.html?mod=hpp_us_editors_picks

The article discusses the development of the idea and computer. From conception to implementation. The idea itself was so novel it faced immediate competition from for profit companies.  The non-profit project OLPC began with the idea of Mr. Nicholas Negropante; he envisioned the merging of the technological gap. This bridge between developed and undeveloped nations would be possible through the development of an economically affordable PC laptop.

The project's original goal was to design a 100$ laptop. Although the current price for an OLPC laptop is roughly $200, the impact that this laptop may have in the future is just as great as it was when conceptualized.