Visual Notes from Univ of Cape Town Workshops May, 2010, University of Cape Town, South Africa demonstrate the proper way to share ideas. Flickr: choconancy1}

Raising awareness of African Internet developments to non-Africans requires visibility, interest, and a degree of seriousness. For example, an article published July 5th by Wired Magazine online touts the arrival of Main One in West Africa and explains how the cable should improve access and reduce access costs. Better education and health resources, not to mention opportunities for economic growth and the creation of job opportunities all over Africa, should be welcomed by a Western* audience who is interested in all things digital. Perhaps not to the ubiquitous cynical online commenter, however, which is still a minority among those who read an article.

Still, out of 19 comments in response to the article, only 4 are positive or in defense of building infrastructure in Africa. Two of these seem to come from Africans, saying:

• “How about ‘Cool, we can do business more easily with Nigeria and Senegal?’ or ‘It’s about time there was proper broadband penetration into Africa.’
• Infrastructure is a good thing

The lack of positive response comes as no surprise. After all, online commenters – be them African, Asian, European, or American – love to contradict opinion. In this case, many readers seem to not take African ICT seriously. Have a look at some topics and themes:

• 419 scam jokes/facetiousness toward Nigerian spam
• “what do they need internet access for?”
• jealousy that West Africa can get broadband but American rural areas cannot
• Nigeria is big on benevolent gestures that look good but are not widely used

Also, sexual jokes about penetration in Africa are unnecessary and distracting. Instead of self-gratifying remarks:

1. Share excitement
2. Share an opinion that encourages or advances meaningful discussion
3. Correct previous misconceptions with fact
4. Pose a serious question

[*According to DomainTools, 60% of traffic to Wired.com originates from the United States, the United Kingdom, and Canada.]