Paulo Rebêlo // maio.2002 Quando dizem que adultos são tão ou mais crianças do que os próprios filhos, você pode até ousar admitir ser uma frase batida e piegas. Eu admito. No entanto, admita também que não é uma verdade apenas contextual, mas uma verdade tão factual que chega a ser embaraçoso. O fim de… Continue reading
Síndrome da escova de dentes
ARTIGO 222
Observatório, 08.maio.2002 Capital estrangeiro nas empresas de comunicação Paulo Rebêlo (*) Como todos esperavam, a Comissão de Constituição e Justiça do Senado aprovou (em 10/4/02) a redação da proposta de emenda constitucional que permite a entrada de capital estrangeiro nas empresas brasileiras de comunicação. A entrada fica limitada em máximo de 30% do capital votante…. Continue reading
Opening the Gates
Brazzil Magazine Wednesday, 01 May 2002 Many journalists and media executives tend to believe that opening the media to foreign capital is their final hope for survival. By Paulo Rebêlo As expected, on April 4th, the Senate’s Constitution and Justice Committee has approved a bill opening up Brazilian media companies to foreign capital. Until now,… Continue reading
Modified Crops Go Underground
Paulo Rebêlo Wired News May 2002 An illegal but well-known underground market for genetically modified crops is growing fast in Brazil. But oftentimes, farmers who bought the seeds with promises of better yields at lower costs have reaped financial disasters and plantation damages instead. The problem seems to stem not from defective genetically modified organism… Continue reading
A PC in Every Desk
Brazzil Magazine Monday, 01 April 2002 Brazilian government approved last month a project for producing a cheap personal computer for the masses that could cost as low as $300. The new PCs will be going first to schools, libraries, health posts and community institutions and clubs. By Paulo Rebêlo Researchers from UFMG (Universidade Federal de… Continue reading
Brazil on Piracy: Just Say No
Paulo Rebêlo Wired News March 2002 Frustrated by a government that either can’t or won’t address epidemic levels of commercial piracy, a broad coalition of Brazilian industry created an advertising campaign it hopes will appeal to Brazilians’ sense of fair play and economic self-interest. The industries of software, music, clothes, toys, cable TV and movies… Continue reading
All the Ink That’s Fit to Print
Paulo Rebêlo Wired News March 2002 In the United States, printer companies reap most of their profits by selling ink cartridges rather than the printers themselves. That’s not necessarily true in Brazil, where remanufactured ink cartridges sell for less than half the price of the original. Despite efforts by big companies to convince consumers that… Continue reading
Pleading for a Social Conscience
Paulo Rebêlo Wired News February 2002 PORTO ALEGRE, Brazil — The World Social Forum wrapped up several months of business with the usual proposals for making the world a better place, but the stark reality remains: All talk is meaningless unless the richest nations pitch in and help. The forum, founded as a kind of… Continue reading
Brazil’s Anti-Global Gadfly
Paulo Rebêlo Wired News February 2002 PORTO ALEGRE, Brazil — The heavy rain didn’t dampen the spirits of the thousands who strode down the streets here in the “Walk for Peace,” which preceded Thursday’s opening of the World Social Forum. Politicians, scholars and grassroots organizers — the vast majority coming from the left portion of… Continue reading
Forum: It’s the Society, Stupid
Paulo Rebêlo Wired News January 2002 PORTO ALEGRE, Brazil — While political and business leaders from the world’s richest nations preach the gospel of globalization at this week’s World Economic Forum in New York, a wholly different point of view will be presented in this southern Brazilian city. The week-long World Social Forum, beginning Thursday,… Continue reading