One in two

There is now one mobile phone for every two people on the planet, reports the Washington Post.

That strikes one as being simply incredible. Not just a testament to the power of a technology, its usefulness, the speed of diffusion, the ability of the market to find and satisfy needs previously unthought of, but also for the potential it heralds.

Of course there are problems with the use of phones, their manufacturing and recycling. And that other things - like sanitation and clean water and regualr food supplies - should perhaps be more important and higher up in the list of what is needed to alleviate poverty.

But if we believe that all tools are useful part of this process, then the mobile perhaps has the most promise of all. And the fact that people want one, before even adding to their shelters, tells you all you need to know about the mobile's liberating potential.

(Finder's fee: Putting People First at Experientia)