It's not the equipment, but the user.
So if 39% of daily internet users say that it the internet has improved the way they pursue their hobbies and interests, does that mean that the other 61% who use the internet daily feel no improvement? I guess it must, but it is hard for someone like to imagine how the internet cannot help a little bit improve the pursuit of happiness. Maybe it has something to do with the differing definition of “access� to the internet. I believe that there are many different levels of “access� to the internet. My “internet savvy� friend will come up with a bunch of random (sometimes interesting) stuff he has found on the net, and when people ask him how/where he found this, he simply replies that “there are two different internets out there, one of which you know nothing about.� True story, I am quoting him directly. Yes, my grandparents also have “access� to the internet, but their definition of “access� doesn’t stretch beyond that of going to cnn.com and aol.com/mail/. But I must say, I too was once at that point, it takes a while, but when you are not a “noob� to the net anymore that is when I believe you have actual internet access.
I do not believe that all adults and/or children should be on the net, nor should it be a goal. Simply because I feel there is too much reliance on it, why put all of your eggs in one basket? Sure it would be nice if we all were educated with how to fully “access� and use the internet, but I don not feel everyone should have a goal of becoming net savvy. Well maybe we as a people do not have anymore goals to go for, then yea, go for it.
Lower-income families are at a great disadvantage when it comes to accessing the internet. I cannot imagine using a 56k modem today, and that is just the start of it. For the underprivileged children who do not own, or do not have a reliable access to the internet just makes it hard for them to ‘catch up’ when they are older, similar to our senior citizens today. I think it is a good idea for elementary schools to have classes on the internet. It is very helpful when someone can help guide the “noobs� of the net, then let them roam free. The One Laptop Per Child Program has a very good means, but I feel that there are bigger problems within our world today that have a higher priority, at least in my view. Some will say today that internet access is a necessity, well, in the USA it may be that way, but in third world countries I believe the necessities are the bare essentials of life that should be first taken into consideration.
Comments
I think that the OLPC Program is something that can help enhance children's education. All the elementary schools that I have seen and heard about in this country have computers. The computers are meant to engage the students and make them more technologically literate. Even though children in Third World countries are living in poverty, one of the ways in which that can be solved is if they are educated and are able to go on to college. How are those countries supposed to catch up with the rest of the world if they are not provided with the most common technologies that we use on a daily basis? I think that by not providing children in Third World countries with computers, we're only holding them back. There are plenty of other programs and aids administered to Third World country residents to help them out with basic necessities. I think that enhancing their general education systems should be another necessity that needs to be addressed.
Posted by: Natalya Goncharova | February 28, 2007 09:55 PM
I agree with what you said about not making it a goal to get everyone on the internet. I'm fairly internet saavy, and I remember the frustration I felt when trying to get myself applied and registered for school here as a freshman. It seemed that the only way to do anything was online, and it seemed that no actual people (thus no one to inquire about problems) were a part of the registration system. I think the internet would be ideal as an enhancement to real life, not a replacement.
Posted by: tcarr | March 3, 2007 10:04 PM
I agree that there are greater necessities and priorities in 3rd World Countries than accessing the Internet. However, if a certain technology is going to enhance the way of life in someway, than maybe integration of the Internet will lead to more possiblites. However, I know that in some 3rd World Countries, water/food/and shelter is scarce amongst many people. Hence, technology isn't going to do much for this country if the bare essentials aren't even being met.
Posted by: Erin M. | March 4, 2007 07:52 PM
I agree with you that it shouldn't be a goal for us to all have internet access. It's not a goal I feel that merits anything. I also agree with you that elementary kids should have some internet classes to help them out and to educate them on the possible dangers that the internet poses.
I also strongly agree with you that we have bigger problems today in society than having a one lap top per child. We need to address the bigger problems like hunger than having one lap top per child.
Posted by: Harpal (Paul) Thind | March 4, 2007 10:53 PM