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This Doesn't Seem Right: Military Junta To Build Silicon Valley

from the yeah,-nice-try dept

Tue, Jul 25th 2006 4:04pm — Mike Masnick

Over the years, we've seen time after time after time when some region of the world would suddenly declare that it was going to be the "new Silicon Valley." Usually, these places had little to no idea about what actually made Silicon Valley what it is -- and assumed that maybe with a little money and an incubator, suddenly their region would be a tech hotspot as well. Usually, they at least have some clue about what it takes -- they just don't realize all of the components. Sometimes, though, it seems like some people don't even bother to understand at all what it takes to build up a technology industry. For example, two things that clearly don't seem to go together are "military junta" and "Silicon Valley," yet, apparently the military junta in Myanmar believes it can establish its own Silicon Valley, pretty much by declaring it so. Of course, the fact that the country banned Google earlier this month suggests that its local version of Silicon Valley has a long way to go.

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13 Comments

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Anonymous Coward, 25 Jul 2006 @ 4:40pm

Does Silicon Valley have any idea?
Silicon Valley doesn't make any silicon products anymore. Increasingly, companies in silicon valley are basically shell companies that hype the hell out of a useless product or speculative technology, then blow it all on executive compensation. Most of the science come from other places anyway.

The Valley is not too well equipped for the biotech revolution -- it has no agricultural experience, unlike Midwestern farm states. There aren't very many pharmaceutical companies there either -- just some minor outposts, and no major medical centers other than Stanford. (Stanford is not a major biotech power.) The nanotech stuff is usually built in custom batches in university labs, or an obscure factory in New Mexico. The major universities in the area (Stanford, Berkeley, UCSF) have no space to build new labs, so they are being built at places like Iowa or Georgia.
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Anonymous of course, 25 Jul 2006 @ 4:54pm

ridiculous despots
A horrible backwards place with little to recommend it
except its ancient history. I'm surprised they have
even heard of silicon valley. I'd laugh if it wasn't so
sad. Before they focus on a technology incubator
they might work on the clean drinking water and
sanitation issues... Oh, and a reliable electric
utility system would be helpful too. It's hard to perfect
your 65nm process when you have to keep running to
the john due to dysentery.
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Xcetron, 25 Jul 2006 @ 5:21pm

Do they even have a valley? or Silicon?
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Dan Moutal, 25 Jul 2006 @ 5:31pm

Re: ridiculous despots
Myanmar is an amazing place with amazing people, gorgeus scenery... the list goes on

The only issue with myanmar (and it is a big one) is that the government is terrible, this inturn causes lots of the poverty and lack of infrastrucxture seen in tghe country.

Still to anyoen who is travelling in the region, if you have some time Myanmar will not disapoint.
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Anonymous of Course, 25 Jul 2006 @ 5:48pm

Re: Re: ridiculous despots
I agree. It is one of the most beautiful places on earth.
And one of the most corrupt places on earth. I couldn't
recommend it as a tourist spot until substantial
improvements had been made in the government.
It is a dangerous place.
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Dan Moutal, 25 Jul 2006 @ 6:10pm

Re: Re: Re: ridiculous despots
When I was there I never felt unsafe, none of the guidebooks had any warnings that seemed any worse than any of the surrounding countries (except Laos, that was more dangerous, but still amazing).

I think some parts of the US are probably more dangerous than Myanmar
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Ron (profile), 25 Jul 2006 @ 6:40pm

Myanmar
"Yadanabon Myothit" Yup, rolls off the tongue. Maybe enough force will generate something. The government was going to "invite" investors to participate. I wonder how many rounds of ammunition accompany each "invitation"
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Anonymous of Course, 25 Jul 2006 @ 6:51pm

Re: Re: Re: Re: ridiculous despots
I'm glad to hear life has improved there.
In the late 1980's the riots were fierce.

Until the NLD is allowed to hold a constitutional
convention I don't believe the changes will last.
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Jezsik, 25 Jul 2006 @ 7:43pm

It's not dangerous
Furthermore, the only problem with Burma's government, as far as the US is concerned, is that it's not pro-US.
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Mike, 25 Jul 2006 @ 11:11pm

Who do tourist dollars help?
This page hosts a discussion about the costs / benefits of visiting Myanmar http://english.dvb.no/letstalk.php?id=25. Certainly the people there are desperately poor. Unfortunately the military dominates the country's economy. To go or not to go is a personal decision, but one that should not be made lightly.
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chris, 26 Jul 2006 @ 3:44am

amazing
What makes it one of the most beautiful places on earth?
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Anonymous Coward, 26 Jul 2006 @ 4:36am

Re: amazing
The silicone deposits in the valleys... makes it glitter at night
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Ang san supporter, 27 Jul 2006 @ 2:08am

Re: Re: Re: Re: ridiculous despots
The trouble with visiting Myanmar is that any sales tax or visa fees you pay are going towards supporting the junta, which is currently engaging in the slaughtering of thousands of members of the countries ethnic minorities.
The country is in a state of civil war. Its not being widely reported because foreigners, both tourists and reporters are barred from visiting the border areas where most of the fighting is.
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