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T H I R T Y
t w o
F
or everyone who’s been talking about how India,
despite its software prowess, isn’t creating enough “original technology,”MIT Media Labs
Asia might just be the right answer.
MIT Media Labs, USA, a part of the hallowed Massachusettes Institute
of Technology turf is a campus like none other. None of the usual stuff here is
for you. In fact, it possibly represents the largest confluence of nerds,
techno-geeks and R & D freaks that the world has possibly seen under one
roof. The Labs has an equally unusual agenda
—
enabling technologies for learning
and expression by people and machines.
What this really translates into is a free flow of ideas, experimentation with
innovative, even revolutionary technologies to create unique products. Basically,
it’s looking at technology as something which is fun to create and dabble in.
The good news is that MIT Media Labs USA is in the first stage of choosing India
as their next destination for putting up a lab in Asia. That very same culture, that
very same uniqueness is now going to come to India, as well. India is producing
over 178,000 qualified engineers every year, but MIT Media Labs Asia is going to
bring to the country a completely different experience in education.
For one, MIT Media Labs will spell unconventionality. This is one campus where
the distinctions between weird and wired will be extremely thin. It is a realm
where Indian students will not have to worry about how to dress for college. In
fact, the more zany the attire, the more outrageous and “V-channelish” the look,
the more students will conform to the MIT Media Lab’s way of life. So go ahead
and grow that lovely long ponytail, tie that bandana on your forehead, sport
those forbidden earrings and wear those
rudraksh malas
from Varanasi. Be an IT
guru
and don’t worry about who’s looking. Big brother’s certainly not watching you!
As long as you’re involved in creating something new for the world to see, as long
as you’re letting your mind “Think out of the box”, and as long as what you’re
The Times of India March 2, 2001
Weird and Wired at
MIT Media Labs Asia
