octumo.com

A lot has been said about the Digital divide as a planet-wide problem. I wanted to add to the debate based on a project I saw in CNN’s Show and Tell podcast today. My thoughts on this are based partly on Georgia Tech’s project of amalgamating the ‘real’ and ‘virtual’ worlds to embed live video feeds into Second Life and Ewan McGregor’s “Long Way Round“. These ‘inspirations’ aren’t particularly relevant, other than to jerk me into writing this post.

Thinking this through a little bit and hunting around the web a little, I see 3 categories in the digital divide:

1) The Tech savvy individual who is able to access internet services with such ease that they can use them to better their lives and more easily communicate (exchange information) with others. They may or may not be in an economic position to afford the technology they need/want, but they are aware that it exists and can and do use it on a regular basis. Most internet users, particularly those who contribute in some way to the internet (YouTube, Flickr, blogging…). Most of the western civilization falls into this category. It is separated from the 2nd category only in willingness or knowledge.

2) Those who would have access to such technologies but choose not to use it. Includes those who shun mobile phones or even email. This could be sub-categorized into those who choose not to, or those who don’t know how to or those who simply are afraid of technology. My grand-mother would be an example.

3) Those who are simply not in a state to have access to the technology of the internet and the communication methods it provides. Economic trouble, war-torn regions, language barrier, out-right internet ban (North Korea for example) etc.

Arguably some people blend into more than one category. China has wide-spread internet usage but has a degree of censorship. This could also be a study of demographics but that’s not the point of my post.

The divide between 1 and 2 is particularly easy to overcome and it is only a matter of time in most cases. However, the divide is evident between these and the third category above. My recent purchase of the Long Way Round DVDs brought my point to bear. There’s Ewan McGregor, international movie star, riding into the deepest reaches of Mongolia or along the Road of Bones in Siberia, where his fame really means nothing (and credit to Ewan - he’s very aware of it) and where internet connections or broadband speed are the last thing on anyone’s mind. Villages without running water or heating are the norm and tarmac is something that has not come within 100s of miles of these people. They do not know a world where you can just pull out your iPhone and check for an email, look you your stock or check the top viewed Youtube videos. It isn’t just that its not available, its not even something anyone there would consider as something desirable.

The development path of the Internet and communications technology in the western world is almost predictable compared to an attempt to envision how the infrastructure could ever be built up in such far-flung regions of the world. Naturally, internet connectivity isn’t a priority over having maneuverable roads but even in some more developed countries, there are no server farms, established ISPs, Google Maps or even GPS-able land-masses. We do take a lot of granted, efforts are being made, the one laptop per child initiative is a great way to bring technology to developing nations. Much has been said about the project but even if the kids don’t take proper care of their laptops, if they are stolen from them or otherwise made unusable, exposure to the technology is worth-while, even in the long term. Targeting the campaign at children is the right step, but the larger rewards will be seen on a longer time scale.

I feel it is important to acknowledge these issues. The internet has a huge potential. Look at the US, the phenomenon of Ron Paul, the information that is out there for people to get real data on issues at hand. Used correctly, the net can help bring a society that isn’t governed by borders and where the people can have a voice.

The point is: start to think with these things, in terms of you, being here as a citizen of this same pretty lump of rock called Earth, don’t take it all for granted, and support programs that help bring real change. The internet can be a tool to deliver communication and exchange of ideas, enriching lives. It shouldn’t be a ‘nice to have’ and it has the potential to improve things. Its not the most important development (disease control, infrastructure and crime are likely bigger concerns in many areas) but a worthwhile one none-the less.

The biggest change that you can bring is to empower those in need to help themselves. Throwing money at a problem does not solve it, throwing charity at the poor does not make them prosperous and able to care for themselves. But enabling communication in many cases can help.