Atanu has posted a very interesting article about the “effectiveness, efficiency, affordability” and ease of use of tools in general and then applies that analysis to the way Information Technology (IT) is being treated as a panacea for all diseases ailing India:

Even if we have determined that a CAT scanner is the tool required in terms of effectiveness and efficiency, we still have to address the question of affordability. And finally, we need to have the expertise to operate the scanner and interpret the results. The ability to use a tool matters.

So in summary, technology sounds great but has value only in the utility of the tools it provides, and this utility is contingent on the relevance, effectiveness and efficiency of the tool. Furthermore, affordability has to be considered. Lastly, the ability to properly use a tool is a prerequisite to deriving utility from it.

Do read that post and the other posts linking back to it — very interesting discussions there.