Alan W. Silberberg makes a good point in a recent Huffington Post article: As technology surges forward with all of us who are on this technology wave on its back, those still ashore, are left farther and farther behind--and will soon not even be visible from here.
When, for example, the iPads are selling one every three or so seconds, and new social application users mushroom to create the "new order" of things, those who do not have Internet access--as in not even email, or basic browsing capabilities--are inexorably falling deeper and deeper into this ravine we've euphemized the Digital Divide.
The questions Mr. Silberberg raises, and it is well worth raising, is whether government has a civic duty to truly bridge the divide. And if so, how far should they go?
Free Choice
There is, of course, always that portion of society that can join the Internet Order, but chooses not to, much like they opt out of owning (and being enslaved to) a television, or even a telephone. This faction of society may never (and happily at that) log in anywhere. Also, these folks will not suffer the least from not joining up; they most likely lead full, albeit unconventional, lives just fine.
But, no doubt, as the Digital Divide goes, this faction does in no way constitute a majority of those left behind.
Stranded
The truly stranded are those who would jump at the chance of joining the Internet world, given the opportunity--be it economical, educational, or both.
With mobile networks growing in size, quality and speed almost daily, the foundation is there, or will soon be, to build that bridge, leaving the true ravine as an economical and/or educational one.
Mr. Silberberg suggests that, "Here in the U.S. no Government 2.0 program should be funded without addressing the Digital Divide access issues, or at least examining alternative information distribution methods."
I second that view, and would add that as the Internet becomes a more and more integral part of our social fabric, providing affordable entry into the Internet world should be a government obligation on par with schooling and indigent health care.
In fact, "access" is fast approaching the status of a basic human right (at least in the west), without which survival might be impaired or threatened.
