Technology has created a digital divide in the world. People cannot access the web without income and most people do not have that source. They cannot access the internet wiithout help. The digital divide still exists because of ways of thinking by government and corporate officials as well as people ignorant of the subject. People need to wake up and notice that it still exists and that soumething should get done. If not, the digital divide will exist as long at technology does.
Josh Amarelo states that America cannot hope to help other countries because America itself is behind, but it takes only one person to create change, an entire country is not required.
Technology can increase economy, and make our lives easier in the short-term. The question is whether the planet Earth can sustain our increasing technological ways, and resulting development. Although we should provide technology to those who want and need it, we should not push it on those who do no need it for their prosperity.
Knottia Carrigan seems to not have taken an indepth look at my blog post. The solutions to the problems that she found with my proposal can all be found in the initial blog post. She cites how I presented no long-term plan of action, nor a way to help underpriveleged countries help themselves and pull themselves out of the cycle of New Imperialism. Lets take another look.
Sara Dupere has continued to improve and add ideas to Microsoft's attempt to solve the digital divide. Microsoft's proposals have had flaws in them, however there are many simple but expensive ways to solve them. Sara suggests better updates and wider availability and ability of technology can go a long way. However, these great ideas might require more funding than Microsoft is willing to spend by themself.
Earlier this week I argued that Microsoft's philanthropic efforts had ulterior motives. In addition, I argued that Microsoft's business model will become unsustainable in the digital economy as the market paradigm shifts toward open source and general public license (GPL) digital goods.
Ellis writes that the goals I proposed previously are costly and difficult, as well as misdirected because humanitarian aid for issues like hunger and poverty should come before technological aid. However, technological aid has a vital impact on developing nations' economies that functions as humanitarian aid. I suggest revised goals for Gates that focus technological aid on its humanitarian impact.
In Olivia Mello's response she discusses how unless Microsoft begins to focus on education and culture, their aid won't help as much as it could. Microsoft needs to create education centers and new jobs that can help make new users more comfortable as they being to learn. Money still remains an issue with this solution and unless additional corpotations being to aid Microsoft then not much will be accomplished.
Aby Bartalini’s blog post “Migre on Gates’ Lack of Sustainable Funding,” refutes my original proposition, stating that although my initial idea would gather motivated individuals, the plan strenghtens imperialism and widens the digital divide because consumers already struggle economically and cannot keep up with the rapid advancements.
