tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21503568.post6363843846796027224..comments2023-11-03T06:32:28.410-04:00Comments on Staring At Empty Pages: Who’s not on the Internet?Barry Leibahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14205294935881991457noreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21503568.post-79763500666890147902010-03-10T05:08:25.878-05:002010-03-10T05:08:25.878-05:00Perhaps in some countries like the United States, ...Perhaps in some countries like the United States, some group of people, like those mentioned in the blog, can choose not to bother with the Internet, and totally get away with it, but this is not entirely true in other domiciles. I guess depending on where one lives, it won’t be so easy to dismiss using the Internet all together; at some point, and it may not to be too frequent, one is forced to get on the Information Superhighway. For instance, I was at a local government office the other day to re-new my health insurance policy, which is sponsored by the national health care system (not the one proposed by President Obama, this one is in the middle east, where I reside). As I was waiting in line, suddenly the announcement on the PA system says-- “The latest government policy, mandates that all health insurance renewals, must be initiated through our web-site at www…., this office no longer handles health insurance renewals”. This lady sitting next to me, who later turned out to be 87 years old, asks me, “Where do I need to go?” I replied, the “Internet”, still rather astonished by the new word, she then asked, is it nearby? Can I walk there or should I catch the bus? I then explained the new concept to her; and she agreed, one of her grand children is going to assist her with the renewal. Another example-- in June of this year, for the first time, the government is going to offer cash assistance to those who live below the poverty line, which by their own estimates, there will be around 14 millions out of the 75 millions populations. In order to apply for the assistance, the candidates (who are mainly among elderly, uneducated, rural residence, less affluent and disabled) must fill-in the required form on the Internet at one of the government web-sites. They also need to refer to that web-site later on, to check their eligibility status, the amount of their monthly assistance and other information. I agree, that it would be appropriate and more considerate, to give people, the traditional paper option in addition to the Internet, to apply for something, but who said, the government is fair, especially these totalitarian, Neanderthals,…..who occasionally, make the Internet, the absolute necessity for people to get by.HRHhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02878736466726525657noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21503568.post-30812742975106617662010-03-08T18:41:25.206-05:002010-03-08T18:41:25.206-05:00I wonder about that verb "elected". If t...I wonder about that verb "elected". If these are genuinely people who have the option available and have chosen not to take it, that's one thing. But how many of them have truly "elected" not to get online?The Ridger, FCDhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01538111197270563075noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21503568.post-81266583871328332642010-03-08T17:34:19.622-05:002010-03-08T17:34:19.622-05:00I agree with both of you on the issue of access. ...I agree with both of you on the issue of <em>access</em>. The (not surprising) finding that less affluent people and people in rural areas are less connected tells us that something needs to be corrected.<br /><br />My point is that expanding broadband <em>access</em> and expanding broadband <em>adoption</em> are different things that are only somewhat related. They’re related in that you have to have access in order to adopt, and sometimes in order to want to adopt.<br /><br />But I think it's wrong to think that everyone needs to be an Internet user. That’s where the “older people” part of the finding fits in, along with other demographic groups.<br /><br />Everyone should have the choice, certainly. But the government’s focus should be on facilitating access and education, and they should leave off there.Barry Leibahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14205294935881991457noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21503568.post-7142702298296013052010-03-08T17:24:37.004-05:002010-03-08T17:24:37.004-05:00I couldn't agree with Nathaniel more. My fathe...I couldn't agree with Nathaniel more. My father lives in a very rural area of upstate NY, one where broadband isn't readily available. As such, limited to dial-up connections, the opportunities afforded by the worldwide web are only vaguely known, and it's easy to imagine why a lot of people might consider it a "waste of time". <br /><br />I'm sure that not that long ago, there were many people who felt the same way about telephones, electric power, and indoor plumbing. I don't think it's a fair assessment from people who have no knowledge of current technology to be able to assess its usefulness. Broadband access for everyone should be considered a mandate here in the U.S.D.https://www.blogger.com/profile/14317856415005503598noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21503568.post-2795851610216407832010-03-08T09:46:18.897-05:002010-03-08T09:46:18.897-05:00As one who lives in an extremely rural area -- 2 h...As one who lives in an extremely rural area -- 2 hours from the Saginaw airport! -- I find that lack of access is accelerating the cycle of poverty and under-education. A tool that could lift my less fortunate neighbors out of poverty is instead driving them deeper into it by its absence. I suspect this applies to every age group and demographic, with the possible exception of retired people who have enough things to do without the net.<br /><br />Rural broadband would also open up more options for current city dwellers. I see myself as the wave of a more hopeful future in this regard. I was finally able to move up here full time when Sprint put up a tower nearby. Sprint's 200K is hardly true broadband, but it's enough -- just barely -- to let me live where I want to live after two decades of wishing. Why shouldn't everyone have that choice?Nathaniel Borensteinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03232212556909107350noreply@blogger.com