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Does New Zealand have a knowledge economy? It would seem that we might have had one once but right now we're sliding further into the abyss that is digital illiteracy -- well at least according to a report released by the ITU.

Yes, despite all the rhetoric spouted by successive governments, it seems that (and excuse me for reiterating this point but I'm still gobsmacked by it) our government believes the country's salvation lies with clairvoyants and spiritual healers rather than fostering a knowledge economy.

Of all the countries mentioned in the report, NZ fell the furthest in its Digital Access Index -- from 12th to 21st, putting it behind nations such as Sweden, Iceland, Finland, Luxembourg and others. We're just three places ahead of Solvenia for goodness sakes!

However, more interesting than our meteor-like plunge down the index is the rate at which a number of Asian countries are ascending at an even faster rate.

Korea raced from 24th to 4th position, Taiwan was up 13 places, and both Singapore and Hong Kong leapt by six places.

Now this is the third column in a row where the news has provided clear evidence that Asia, including parts of China, are really lifting their game in the modern global economy.

And meanwhile NZ and Australia appear to be dropping the ball quite badly.

What does this mean to our future?

Well it could be said that the more successful and affluent our Asian neighbours become, the more demand there'll be for our primary exports such as wool, dairy and meat -- right?

Well yes, there's probably a fair amount of truth in that -- just as I'm sure many of the peasants in medieval times took comfort from the fact that a growth in the number of noblemen would create an increased market for servants and footmen.

Now good on our Asian friends for realising they have an opportunity -- or is that a duty -- to get their heads down and their bums up so as to build a strong export-driven economy in the new hi-tech world. Nobody can blame anyone for working hard and playing smart.

But a big brickbat for NZ and Australia's governments for sitting on their fat bums and simply pretending to do the same by offering the occasional paltry grant while spending most of their time (in the case of NZ) trying to find new ways to raise taxes and redistribute wealth.

I find it amusing, and somewhat saddening that when it comes to issues such as passing MPs pay increases, the necessary paperwork can be drawn up in hours and passed through the house in minutes. But when it comes to something as critical as unbundling the local loop so as to drive down broadband prices and introduce new competition -- we're still dicking around several years after it was pointed out that our broadband is amongst the most expensive in the world.

Come on government, give us action not cheap-talk.

Lighten Up
Do you find modern computer games just too challenging? Do you have trouble keeping up with all those highly animated graphics, role-playing thingies and the incredible levels of eye-hand coordination required? Well here's the game for you!

If you've got a few hours to spare, you might find plenty of interesting tales to amuse you on the Computer Stupidities page.

I got a chuckle out of this interactive graphing page. Might be just the thing for your next sales presentation perhaps?

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