Primary Focus: Inequality
This is a short article but it did a raise an interesting question that left me thinking. "Are new technologies (e.g., internet, mobile phones, medical advances) generating new inequalities in access to information, goods, and services?" When you see the word inequality you think of race, gender, and sexual orientation as some of the main ones. But what about technology based inequalities? We live in a world run by technology but a lot of developing countries do not have the benefits (or the curse depending on how you look at it.) Another thing is that technology requires money, and for a lot of people even in the U.S. that is a major problem. The whole blog assignment is technology based - would it be considered inequality for those kids who do not own a computer at home? Sure, there's technology available to them at school or at the library but is it fair for some kids to have the comfort of being able to do their homework on their own time at home, when other kids might always have to worry to find time at the library for any computer related homework assignment based on financial stability alone? I think money definitely creates a division of inequality between people who can and cannot afford technology. It should be obvious that technology makes out everyday lives easier but, also that in more advanced countries technology may actually be REQUIRED so if you can't afford it you'll be left behind the others. The worst part is most people that can afford technology are only worried about the latest phones, while those who can't afford it miss out on the benefits of a basic computer which can contribute greatly to their education.
This is a short article but it did a raise an interesting question that left me thinking. "Are new technologies (e.g., internet, mobile phones, medical advances) generating new inequalities in access to information, goods, and services?" When you see the word inequality you think of race, gender, and sexual orientation as some of the main ones. But what about technology based inequalities? We live in a world run by technology but a lot of developing countries do not have the benefits (or the curse depending on how you look at it.) Another thing is that technology requires money, and for a lot of people even in the U.S. that is a major problem. The whole blog assignment is technology based - would it be considered inequality for those kids who do not own a computer at home? Sure, there's technology available to them at school or at the library but is it fair for some kids to have the comfort of being able to do their homework on their own time at home, when other kids might always have to worry to find time at the library for any computer related homework assignment based on financial stability alone? I think money definitely creates a division of inequality between people who can and cannot afford technology. It should be obvious that technology makes out everyday lives easier but, also that in more advanced countries technology may actually be REQUIRED so if you can't afford it you'll be left behind the others. The worst part is most people that can afford technology are only worried about the latest phones, while those who can't afford it miss out on the benefits of a basic computer which can contribute greatly to their education.
I'm so glad someone addressed this issue. It is one I think about on a daily basis. The lack of sufficient resources at our school definitely has implications here.
ReplyDeleteI wish you had said a bit more about how this connects to some of our essential questions.
There have been many recent stories on the "digital divide." This one relates to the issues you address in your post:
ReplyDeletehttp://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=6715965
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