This Week in Tech by Digital Africa
We are committed to bringing you the best curated news in the world of Tech and related matters.
1 Big idea for you to reflect on
This week, the global attention is on the elections in the United States of America. Even if you deny it, American elections matter, and provide us with the best political drama on earth.
What most of us hardly realise is that even though the US Senate is also up for grabs in this election, only ⅓ of the 100 senators are ever on the ballot at any time. This goes back to 1789, at the time when the state legislatures used to appoint senators.
That brings us to this week’s big idea. The ship of Theseus.
This is a philosophical thought experiment. Imagine a situation where you gradually replace the parts of something, like the US Senate, so that over time, all the original parts have been replaced, without destroying the object at any time.
Is it the same object, or is it an entirely new object. Basically, is the United States Senate the same one convened in 1798, or is it a new Senate?
Applying the analogy to your individual self – biology tells us that most of your cells are replaced every 7 years. Are you the same person who was born, or are you an entirely new person?
2 Quotes for you to think About
“Power is not only what you have but what the enemy thinks you have.” – Saul Alinsky
“It’s what you learn after you know it all that counts.” – John Wooden
3 Headlines from the world of Tech
ANT financial shelves its plans for an IPO. This was supposed to be the largest Initial Public offering in history.
Value of online transactions in Nigeria hits $116 Billion. Yes, that’s Billion with a B
Did you notice the Gmail icon change? We like it!
4 Things we found you to look at
Elon Musk is hiring…in person!
The Central Bank of Nigeria issues Framework for the Operation of the NIRSAL Microfinance Bank Window of the Nigeria Youth Investment Fund
Free Udemy course on Docker and containerisation
Kakistocracy: A hilarious and surprisingly sage look at Nigerian politics
5 Things you should explore or think about this weekend
- Joe Biden is probably going to be President Elect of the United States by the time you are reading this. Yet his first run for office started in 1987. What does tenacity mean to you?
- If the plural of mouse is mice, why is the plural of house not hice?
- How do you build a sustainable career? Hint: watch this video by Dr Evans Woherem discussing the essentials of success in the corporate setting
- It’s taking more than 3 days to count the votes in the most technologically advanced country in the world. What are the impediments to electronic voting?
- How fast are you moving? Hint: Consider the speed of the earth.
And that’s it! Have a lovely weekend and keep sharing your thoughts with us.
