::Concept::

Many take the general definition of the digital divide and try to embed a one size standardized initiative of mere “outpouring of monetary and computing resources” which leads others to “claim that the digital divide no longer exists” [3] from the reasoning and belief that the resources have been given. However, it is easy to spread meager physical resources and wealth, yet this is no more than a inadequate means of feeding a restless caged animal to silence its hunger while never allowing it the freedom to explore, learn and hunt for itself.   We cannot claim success from programs that are homogeneous in concept and lack vision of the roots on which a particular society is founded. 

"Planting rocks in the desert" is conceptually referring to the roots of infrastructure. If the foundations of a particular society or region is not well developed to facilitate the beneficial use of technology or conductive of learning these technologies, then what good is mere dumping of "resources"?

The overall environment that leads to the productive use of technology cannot be ignored. We must consider various factors such as "existing social, economic and political, cultural, and learning inequalities." [2] Likewise, to examine the history, culture and traditions of a group while understanding the sociological, economic, and political conditions of that region so as to develop proper initiatives.

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::Quotes::

“…we often talk about bridging the digital divide, but rarely do we talk about the causes of the divide (Strover, 2003) or how the divide can be prevented (McSorley, 2003). The divide is taken as a technical phenomenon to be bridged rather than as the result of historical systems of inequality.” [3]

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"In his Audubon address in 1964, Malcolm X offered the now famous line "We didn't land on Plymouth Rock; the rock landed on us." In many respects, information technology (IT) has landed like a digital rock on economically oppressed neighborhoods. Arguably, the explosive growth of the Internet is fueling the perceived need for computer literacy for all U.S. citizens. Through resources allocated by federal and municipal governments, corporations, and foundations, community technology initiatives have emerged across the U.S. to bring IT access and training to "people on the wrong side of the digital divide." Descriptive survey research indicates that the populations "at risk of being left further behind" include older Americans, racial and ethnic minorities, inner city and rural communities, and low-income families" [3]

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"the original sense of the digital divide term - which attached overriding importance to the physical availability of computers and connectivity, rather than to issues of content, language, education, literacy, or community and social resources - is difficult to overcome in people's minds." [2]

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"Believing that the digital divide can be overcome with a distributive solution that simply reallocates computing resources is problematic for two reasons: it is ahistorical, and technologically deterministic. It ignores the fact that women, racial and ethnic minorities, and entire communities have been historically undeserved in their employment, housing, health, education, and consumption opportunities. The inequities that these disparities entail are longstanding and include a host of life chances that go beyond physical access to computing artifacts. The digital divide is a political outcome rooted in these historical systems of power and privilege, and not simply a gap in access to and use of the Internet and computers. Promoting public access and computer training is warranted, but it does little to address the social forces that may limit these actions in the first place." [3]

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::Videos::

The below videos refer to general issues of infrastructure related to accessing technology. [The following three focus on broadband]

 

 

[The content and ideas presented in videos on this site are not nessesaraly my views, nor am i rejecting or approving them. These are examples of ideas related to the digital divide that I hope will inspire deeper reflection and understanding.]

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