The World Bank, and other organizations that discuss the topic of our world's Digital Divide, refuse to consider the obvious catalyst, the computer, as a way to speed up closing the Digital Divide. When presented with solutions that address the distribution of computers to Third World countries, these organizations typically respond with classic reference to the need for infrastructure, first, then computers. They say it's too expensive to move computers around the world. The list of excuses goes on and on.

A closer look, however, reveals that once a computer is sitting on a table in any village, anywhere in the developing nations world, the Digital Divide is instantly in motion to close that Digital Divide for that community. Consider the computer on a cart pulled by a donkey and moved from community to community around the mountains in South America, as one example.

In our country, a computer loaded with software from Stanford University's Center for Computer Research in Music and Acoustics allows the user to create high quality CDs, DVDs, tv and radio shows, even full-featured films. The set up is nothing more than a cheap PC and the world's most sophisticated software, i.e., it costs nothing out-of-pocket to create. What a marvelous catalyst for bringing low-income neighborhoods into the global economy.

Of course, such a catalyst also makes it possible to consider Wifi and WiMax networks that leave telcos and cable industries whistling in the wind. Might be, if we had our airwaves given back to us, we could move along quicker to closing our Digital Divide, eh?

I’m such a pedant. The definition you give covers a catalyst but also a covers reagents that act as accelerants. The unique property of a catalyst is that it is not itself changed by the reaction. It’s a tough job to apply this human affairs and doing so possibly misses something import i.e. that things are changed through their involvement with stuff like creativity. This is particularly the case with technology which is often seen as a neutral actor but in fact has a much more active role in shaping and being shaped by events – as science and technology studies shows us.

So the hunt is probably for Accelerants and also for the changes that are brought about in them through their contact with, say, creative people.

So what aids online creativity – well: IP, access to technology, open source, closed source. Given the circumstances just about anything can aid the creative process, give me a stick and some dirt, that can help sometimes.

Actually, if I could work out the key thing that creative people need right now, I’d go make it and make a bunch of money out of it :)

Open Studios is an accelerant. The work we do, is to act as a global Help Desk for those low-income neighborhoods, or Third World villages that want to obtain a catalyst (computer) and get the technical support and training to use it. All services are free.

Creative people need to support their chosen careers. The computer allows them to reach a worldwide audience that will learn about them, and then purchase their works through multiple distribution channels the creative people set up (think small business, but in a global market place).

Why don't you set up the multiple distribution channel management, and make a bunch of money out of it? If we work together, we can tap into local, state and federal grant monies, and hit the artists up for a percentage of the take on the for-profit side. Your first task is to help us network through the doors of each governor in the U.S. Once they realize the potential of community-based recording studios, you'll be on your way. I'll send you a draft of the letter of interest, if you want.

Your accelerant management firm can then evolve and change as the technology advances, giving you more and more distribution channel options to utilize, and in turn, accelerating the creativity and innovation of the growing number of producers (used to be called, consumers by the corporate thugs). :)