So often, whenever I see posts and notes shared by African writers discussing the state of the continent - esp with respect to development - I begin to wonder what the point of it all is.

First, no one ever talks about IQ. IQ is important and the more we continue to ignore it, the more we’ll see the consequences downstream of it take hold in other elements of society.

Very few bother to address development from the perspectives of engineering, geography and infrastructure. I don’t know if I’ve ever had the privilege to read a piece about Africa written by an African where matters are assessed through the lens of engineering or science.

Practically all of the analysis we see on Africa is focused on high-visibility events and moments or the discussion of symbols.

For instance, more Africans and black people argue that the future is bright for the continent as a result of:

1) Africa’s large and growing population;

2) Africa’s massive youth population;

3) Africa’s vast natural resource endowment.

All three of these listed reasons are examples of symbols and symbolic communication.

What is the point behind any of these reasons? What’s the rationale and empiricism underpinning them? Africa’s share of the world population is much larger today than it was 50 years ago, yet Africa’s share of global manufacturing back in seventies was probably higher than current figures.

Yes, Africa’s youth population is large but when was the last time you actually met one who was able to hold down a decent job in Africa and actively participate in the consumption-driven economy?

And what good has Africa’s natural resources ever brought the continent?

Truth is, 90 percent of us are simply lazy thinkers. Whites and East Asians have been doing the thinking for us for a very long time and most of us honestly like it like that and want to keep it that way.