About the Author
Cyrus Farivar
سیروس فریور
English: [suh-ROOS FAR-ih-var]
Persian: [see-ROOS-eh fàr-ee-VÀR]
Freelance Technology Journalist
Freelance Radio Reporter/Producer
Author, "The Internet of Elsewhere"
cfarivar [at] cfarivar [dot] org
Current location: Bonn, GermanyTwitter
Africa Archive
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Nokia: Four new handsets for developing world, bike charger
Posted on June 3, 2010 | 4 CommentsSo it’s a holiday here in Germany, it’s a beautiful day outside and I’m still in my PJs, scrolling through my RSS reader, and two Reuters headlines scream out at me: “Nokia unveils 4 cheap phones” and “Nokia unveils bicycle mobile charger“. Sadly, Reuters doesn’t... -
African Renaissance statue in Dakar angers locals
Posted on September 29, 2009 | 11 CommentsApparently, Senegalese President Abdoulaye Wade has commissioned a 160-ft high bronze statue commemorating the “African Renaissance.” The statue, “shows a muscular man in a heroic posture, outstretched arms wrapped around his wife and child, who is balanced on one of his biceps,” reports the Associated... -
4-month (paid) ICT4D summer job in Tanzania
Posted on July 2, 2009 | 10 CommentsMy old friend and traveling buddy from my Senegal days, Al, writes: Hey Cyrus, Thanks for the Canada Day shout out. Sounds like things are pretty awesome with you, and that you’re up to the old traveling quite a bit. I thought I’d ask if... -
This week: Cyrus in Madison and Milwaukee
Posted on March 24, 2009 | No CommentsJust a quick reminder: I’ll be speaking in Madison to kick off the “Africa Forward” lecture series this Thursday on the UW-Madison campus: Thursday, March 26, 2009 3:30pm – 5:30pm 5055 Vilas Hall 821 University Avenue I’ll also be speaking on Friday and Saturday (March... -
Africa Forward with Cyrus Farivar (March 26, 2009)
Posted on March 12, 2009 | 1 CommentAfrica Forward with Cyrus Farivar Thursday, March 26, 2009 3:30pm – 5:30pm 5055 Vilas Hall 821 University Avenue Madison, WI Need inspiration on how to apply your interests in African Studies and Journalism after graduation? Come and meet Cyrus Farivar to find out how he... -
I’m speaking at the Engineers Without Borders Conference in Milwaukee (March 27-28, 2009)
Posted on March 2, 2009 | 1 CommentA few weeks ago I was contacted out of the blue by an old UW-Madison professor, James Delahanty. As the academic advisor to my group (and current groups) of Madison students studying in Senegal, he was our stateside pointman for those of us trying to... -
WSJ: Start-Up Seeks to Link 3 Billion to Net
Posted on September 9, 2008 | No CommentsWSJ: An entrepreneur’s quest to use satellites to bring high-speed Internet service to poor, remote countries is nearing liftoff with a major investment from some big names, including Google Inc. On Tuesday, O3b Networks Ltd., founded and run by 38-year-old telecommunications entrepreneur Greg Wyler, is... -
Nigeria pulls the plug on its OLPC order
Posted on July 2, 2008 | No CommentsVanguard: Dr Aja Nwachukwu, the Education Minister, told newsmen in Abuja that the scheme was discovered to be a “white elephant” project. “We discovered that the scheme is a conduit pipe to siphon public fund,” he said. Nwachukwu said the ministry was working on other... -
NYT: Shadows Grow Across One of Africa’s Bright Lights
Posted on June 18, 2008 | No CommentsNYT: DAKAR, Senegal — From the air, this sprawling city looks like a metropolis on the move, a buzzing quadrilateral jutting into the Atlantic. Cars speed along a supple, newly reconstructed four-lane highway that hugs the rugged coastline. Cranes dot the seaside, building luxury hotels... -
Slate: The $100 Distraction Device
Posted on June 5, 2008 | 1 CommentSlate: So what happens when good fortune delivers vouchers (and hence computers) into the homes of Romanian youths? Obviously a lot more time logged on to a computer—about seven hours more per week for vouchered versus unvouchered kids. Much of this computer time came at...
