If you're looking for the next technology boom, you might look no farther than the country whose former leader almost constantly exulted, "Viva la revolución!"
So says journalist Clive Thompson in Wired magazine.
On a years-ago visit to Cuba, Thompson wrote that he found Cubans smart, skilled and seemingly hungry for opportunities. Perhaps because "they'd spent decades under Fidel Castro's human-rights-crushing thumb," he wrote. "Now that President Obama is talking about opening up trade, Cuba experts predict that the country could explode with creativity and entrepreneurial innovation."
What the Cubans have going for them is high education levels, advancements in biotechnology, hacker mindsets and a resilience and resourcefulness to adapt under many circumstances, Thompson wrote.
Cubans, many who have been schooled in English, would be especially good at localizing U.S. software for Latin American markets, Kenneth Flamm, professor of international affairs at the University of Texas at Austin, told Thompson. And with Havana so close to Miami, it makes the country convenient for offshoring.
The situation mirrors Ireland in the 1980s, which saw a technology boom after American companies Dell and Intel opened offices there. More than 10 years later, Ireland's economy had turned around with a plethora of jobs.
What are your thoughts on Cuba being ripe for a technology boom?
Andréa Maria Cecil is Managing Editor at the Central Penn Business Journal. She is a 31-year-old native New Orleanian who is obsessed with how gadgets and technology can make you more efficient.
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Circles Robinson in
Managua, Nicaragua at [
6/24/2009 7:25:22 PM]
I agree that Cuba is ripe for a technology boom. Many people crave more information and the Internet would be a good source. If more people had access I think it would lead to some good initiatives in all fields. They clearly have the educational tools to make use of any new technologies. Ending the US blockade of the island would be the fastest way to Cuba having such a technology boom, otherwise, it will still come, but will take many more years. For more on Cuba from Cuba check out: www.havanatimes.org
jim in
canada at [
6/23/2009 10:11:03 PM]
you write that the Cubans have been oppressed under Castro.i live in the country six months every year,not in a resort but among the people.many people make a big deal about them not having access to the internet but i think if you gave them a choice between internet or free education or free health care,dental etc.i know what they would choose.the Cuban people that i know and i know many are very happy.i have asked many of them if they would like to return to the pre Castro days,to the U.S.backed dictator and the answer is no.i read all the time that there is no freedom of religion but the churches are full every sunday.most of the news that i read about Cuba is false. i am sure that i could go to any city in the U.S.and find many people who are not happy with the system in that country.i am not a Castro supporter but i would like to see a little fairness.
Walter Lippmann in
Los Angeles, California at [
6/23/2009 5:14:52 PM]
The Cubans have quite a few accomplishments to their credit, though they're up against substantial obstacles as well. Recently Microsoft, for example, announced that it would no longer permit Cubans on the island to use Instant Messenger services. Google doesn't permit Cuba to use such programs as Google Earth and Google's desktop search programs. There are any number of other high-tech capabilities which the Cubans can't access because of US government rules.
Cuban society today represents an effort to build an alternative to the way life was under the dictatorship of Fulgencio Batista, who ran Cuba before Fidel Castro led a revolution there. Some things work, some don't. No one complained about a lack of human rights and democracy during the Batista dictatorship, but U.S. business interests were protected. Cuba is the only country on earth for which people from the United States need a permission slip from the federal government to go for a visit.
Jorge Gonzalez in
Gainesville, Florida at [
6/23/2009 4:53:31 PM]
Sure why not do business with Cuba, so that at least maybe, just MAYBE:
1) not just only government employees, academics and researchers are allowed their own Internet accounts, which are provided by the state, but only have limited access to sites outside the island.
2) Cuba won't have the lowest rate of Internet access in the hemisphere (Internet access is a delicate issue for the communist state: About 200,000 Cubans, or less than 2 percent of the population, have access to the World Wide Web.),
and just maybe the Internet will be cheaper for them:
3) Internet use at hotels is pricey by Cuban standards: $5 for a half hour, $10 for an hour. The average monthly salary for many state workers is about $20.
There may be a lot of hungry people in Cuba (food and Internet), but somehow we always think that we if we would just end the Cold War, they would come around. The people want to come around, the government restricts every aspect of their lives. So every good intention you may have will not help them until there is a regime change there.
Joe in
Fort Lauderdale, FL at [
6/23/2009 12:17:54 PM]
Aren't we all jumping the gun here? Even though there are some preliminary talks on lifting the embargo, Cuba would have to adhere to some tremendous changes before it is fully lifted i.e. fully democratic election. Which more than likely would mean the end of the Castro regime, as we know it! I'm all for the end of Cuba's communist dictatorship, as I have visited Cuba many times and it would be a remarkable "port o call" and a tremendous boost for our local economy. But, I honestly feel that Cuba has a long way to go before we see a complete political change there.
Xander in
Carlisle at [
6/23/2009 11:18:56 AM]
Yeah I think Cuba has a wealth of resources (especially their workforce) and we're doing a disservice to ourselves by not acknowledging them. The Cold War is over, time to move on IMO.
