Paulo Rebêlo Wired News June, 2002 Few people enjoy taking medicine, but how about if it came packaged in candy or ice cream? That’s what the Brazilian National Association of Magistral Pharmaceutics (Anfarmag) is bringing to Brazil this year. In an official note earlier this month, Anfarmag said that med-candies are the best solution for… Continue reading
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Brazil: Let’s Go Postal
Paulo Rebêlo Wired News May 2002 In another attempt to close the gap between the wired and the unwired, Brazil will install computer kiosks in post offices around the country, where people will be able to log on to the Internet. Correios, Brazil’s postal agency, hopes to have the kiosks up and running by the… 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