Conversations with Ray Charles...

 The founding of AMB was a project dear to Ray Charles' heart. The following is an excerpt from a discussion David Pinto had with Ray about his thoughts on computers, literacy, and education. 9/28/03:

David Pinto. A lot of kids who are growing up with computers are questioning why they should have to learn to read, write, add and multiply, when their computer can do it for them. Especially for blind kids, what do you say to them to give them the incentive to study literary Braille, and to learn how to read Braille music? They're wondering, "Why should I work so hard when the computer can do it all for me?" 

Ray Charles. Well, you know, I have a bunch of computers around here, and I use them. And, now with the software that you created, I can write my music charts myself, rather than dictating every single note to my arrangers.

But there's basics in your life that you need to be able to fall back on. To me, a computer is just something to help you. It's not a replacement. It's just a great addition.

People have forgotten that you've got to crawl before you can walk. The kids need to know how to add and multiply, to read and write. They need to know, "Why is nine and nine, eighteen?" They need to know, when the word "to," is spelled "to", or "too", or "two". 

Everybody should have a basic education that they can always fall back on. Because, what do you do if your computer is down? What do you do when the knobs don't turn, and the buttons wont push? What do you do when you got all your eggs in that one basket? What then?

Well, if you've got a book, you don't have to have electricity to run it. That book is not going to crash. It's going to be there forever. And, what if you want to learn a piece of music that's not in your computer?

If you know how to read Braille, you don't need that computer.  People need to be able to fall back on what they carry in their head. But, if there's nothing in their head, except for what the computer put there, well, what then?  Listen. All you need is your mind, and your fingers or eyes.

Remember, YOU! have the brains. You don't have to go out and buy some brains. You've got a brain that's already installed...

... so use it.