Comments on: America: The Growing Digital Divide http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/05/06/america-the-growing-digital-divide/ Startup and Technology News Tue, 07 Oct 2008 07:04:39 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.5.1 By: Thoughts On The Digital Divide » Webomatica - Technology and Entertainment Digest http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/05/06/america-the-growing-digital-divide/#comment-2372211 Thoughts On The Digital Divide » Webomatica - Technology and Entertainment Digest Fri, 13 Jun 2008 04:41:10 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/05/06/america-the-growing-digital-divide/#comment-2372211 [...] is definitely worth reading. It’s a subject I worry about from time to time - that a “digital divide” exists between those who take cutting-edge technology for granted and have easy access to [...] [...] is definitely worth reading. It’s a subject I worry about from time to time - that a “digital divide” exists between those who take cutting-edge technology for granted and have easy access to [...]

]]> By: Omnivores och early adopters » Researcher http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/05/06/america-the-growing-digital-divide/#comment-1419976 Omnivores och early adopters » Researcher Sat, 09 Jun 2007 19:50:16 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/05/06/america-the-growing-digital-divide/#comment-1419976 [...] refererar PEW-studien som förklarar att det är en ökad digital klyfta bland amerikanska [...] [...] refererar PEW-studien som förklarar att det är en ökad digital klyfta bland amerikanska [...]

]]> By: Al X http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/05/06/america-the-growing-digital-divide/#comment-1391703 Al X Wed, 23 May 2007 16:03:46 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/05/06/america-the-growing-digital-divide/#comment-1391703 Tom. I agree with your comment. Just because a lot of folks don't want to embrace a certain web version doesn't necessarily mean the digital divide is starting to widen. I mean, not in the U.S. anyway. A lot of people are walking around with cellphones and/or blackberries that have internet wherever they go. Elementary schools have internet/computer in their curriculum as well. If folks out in the rural areas do not want to get for themselves computer equipment, they can still be reach via television broadcast and the telephone. If digital divide is an issue in the U.S. based on Pew Internet's report, perhaps we should look beyond our shores and see what kind of divide there is in Africa (for one). Brian, Your estimate that the digital world is hooked up to about 20% of the world's population is incorrect. According to Larry Irving, former US assistant sec of commerce on BBC News Online, only 2% of the world's population is actually digitally connected. Jane Black of BBC News also wrote, " more than 80% of people in the world have never heard a dial tone, let alone sent an email or downloaded information from the World Wide Web." Al X Tom.
I agree with your comment. Just because a lot of folks don’t want to embrace a certain web version doesn’t necessarily mean the digital divide is starting to widen. I mean, not in the U.S. anyway. A lot of people are walking around with cellphones and/or blackberries that have internet wherever they go. Elementary schools have internet/computer in their curriculum as well. If folks out in the rural areas do not want to get for themselves computer equipment, they can still be reach via television broadcast and the telephone. If digital divide is an issue in the U.S. based on Pew Internet’s report, perhaps we should look beyond our shores and see what kind of divide there is in Africa (for one).

Brian,
Your estimate that the digital world is hooked up to about 20% of the world’s population is incorrect. According to Larry Irving, former US assistant sec of commerce on BBC News Online, only 2% of the world’s population is actually digitally connected. Jane Black of BBC News also wrote, ” more than 80% of people in the world have never heard a dial tone, let alone sent an email or downloaded information from the World Wide Web.”

Al X

]]> By: Catching Up: IBM is soliciting good ideas in Africa, Digital Divide Metrics, Charity Link Love » Social ROI: A Social Entrepreneurship Blog http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/05/06/america-the-growing-digital-divide/#comment-1388395 Catching Up: IBM is soliciting good ideas in Africa, Digital Divide Metrics, Charity Link Love » Social ROI: A Social Entrepreneurship Blog Tue, 22 May 2007 08:12:06 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/05/06/america-the-growing-digital-divide/#comment-1388395 [...] “A new study (pdf) published by the Pew Internet & American Life Project has found that there is a growing digital divide across America.” –Link [...] [...] “A new study (pdf) published by the Pew Internet & American Life Project has found that there is a growing digital divide across America.” –Link [...]

]]> By: David Scott Lewis http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/05/06/america-the-growing-digital-divide/#comment-1371776 David Scott Lewis Fri, 11 May 2007 07:59:28 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/05/06/america-the-growing-digital-divide/#comment-1371776 Is anybody really surprised by these results? Let me put this another way: IF somebody was surprised by these results (and viewed them negatively) OR if they view them positively as some sort of market opportunity, then they've had way too much spiked Kool-Aid and/or are living in a reality distortion field (and probably have active SL and Twitter accounts). Everyone, let's get a grip and realize that most people don't give a rats-@$$ about this stuff. It's our hobby; that's all it is. We can talk about productivity gains and other such BS, but it's really nothing more than a hobby. Web 2.0 is not changing the world ... and believing so does not make it true. Is anybody really surprised by these results? Let me put this another way: IF somebody was surprised by these results (and viewed them negatively) OR if they view them positively as some sort of market opportunity, then they’ve had way too much spiked Kool-Aid and/or are living in a reality distortion field (and probably have active SL and Twitter accounts).

Everyone, let’s get a grip and realize that most people don’t give a rats-@$$ about this stuff. It’s our hobby; that’s all it is. We can talk about productivity gains and other such BS, but it’s really nothing more than a hobby. Web 2.0 is not changing the world … and believing so does not make it true.

]]> By: April http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/05/06/america-the-growing-digital-divide/#comment-1370121 April Wed, 09 May 2007 18:45:44 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/05/06/america-the-growing-digital-divide/#comment-1370121 This was slightly interesting, but I have to concur with other posters, the "digital divide" does refer to the economic ability to have basic internet access. As the long lines at our city library's computer room attest, there are lots of kids who don't have computers at home. PS: I think it would be useful to use another word/phrase to refer to the difference between heavy and light technology users. This was slightly interesting, but I have to concur with other posters, the “digital divide” does refer to the economic ability to have basic internet access. As the long lines at our city library’s computer room attest, there are lots of kids who don’t have computers at home.

PS: I think it would be useful to use another word/phrase to refer to the difference between heavy and light technology users.

]]> By: The Chronicle of YouGetIt.com » Blog Archive » Something For Everyone http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/05/06/america-the-growing-digital-divide/#comment-1369262 The Chronicle of YouGetIt.com » Blog Archive » Something For Everyone Tue, 08 May 2007 21:50:50 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/05/06/america-the-growing-digital-divide/#comment-1369262 [...] was reading an interesting article on TechCrunch the other day. The topic was the findings of a recent study (pdf) by the Pew Internet [...] [...] was reading an interesting article on TechCrunch the other day. The topic was the findings of a recent study (pdf) by the Pew Internet [...]

]]> By: Oliver Widder http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/05/06/america-the-growing-digital-divide/#comment-1367977 Oliver Widder Mon, 07 May 2007 21:02:00 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/05/06/america-the-growing-digital-divide/#comment-1367977 Do we have to bridge the Digital Divide? See my small (recent) cartoon: <a href="http://geekandpoke.typepad.com/geekandpoke/2007/05/bridging_the_di.html" rel="nofollow">http://geekandpoke.typepad.com/geekandpoke/2007/05/bridging_the_di.html</a> and an older one: <a href="http://geekandpoke.typepad.com/geekandpoke/2006/08/the_world_is_on.html" rel="nofollow">http://geekandpoke.typepad.com/geekandpoke/2006/08/the_world_is_on.html</a> Bye, Oliver Do we have to bridge the Digital Divide?
See my small (recent) cartoon:
http://geekandpoke.typepad.com.....he_di.html

and an older one:
http://geekandpoke.typepad.com.....is_on.html

Bye,
Oliver

]]> By: BetaBonnie http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/05/06/america-the-growing-digital-divide/#comment-1367969 BetaBonnie Mon, 07 May 2007 20:53:04 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/05/06/america-the-growing-digital-divide/#comment-1367969 In 1950, Dr. Goldmark of CBS developed a system for broadcasting in color. His method was not compatible with the present black and white TVs, so when RCA developed a color system that was compatible, the FCC accepted it as the standard. Americans were thrilled with the idea of color TV, but it wasn't until 1978 that the number of color TVs in American homes outnumbered the number of black and white sets. Web 2.0 will catch on. >The study found that the Top 8% are young, ethnically diverse, and mostly male (70%). In 1950, Dr. Goldmark of CBS developed a system for broadcasting in color. His method was not compatible with the present black and white TVs, so when RCA developed a color system that was compatible, the FCC accepted it as the standard. Americans were thrilled with the idea of color TV, but it wasn’t until 1978 that the number of color TVs in American homes outnumbered the number of black and white sets. Web 2.0 will catch on.

>The study found that the Top 8% are young, ethnically diverse, and mostly male (70%).

]]> By: Geek And Poke http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/05/06/america-the-growing-digital-divide/#comment-1367968 Geek And Poke Mon, 07 May 2007 20:52:58 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/05/06/america-the-growing-digital-divide/#comment-1367968 <strong>Bridging The Digital Divide...</strong> We have to work together to bridge the Digital Divide (see TechCrunch and Larry Dignan).... Bridging The Digital Divide…

We have to work together to bridge the Digital Divide (see TechCrunch and Larry Dignan)….

]]> By: John http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/05/06/america-the-growing-digital-divide/#comment-1367904 John Mon, 07 May 2007 19:44:31 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/05/06/america-the-growing-digital-divide/#comment-1367904 Does anyone else find it curious/disturbing that the survey used by this Pew study was done "between February 15 and April 6, 2006". That's 2006!? The analysis was published May 7, 2007. It's hard to have much confidence in (a) the numbers from over a year ago reflecting current reality, or (b) Pew's ability to contribute anything meaningful to this discussion if it took them a year to analyze the numbers and create this report. Does anyone else find it curious/disturbing that the survey used by this Pew study was done “between February 15 and April 6, 2006″. That’s 2006!? The analysis was published May 7, 2007. It’s hard to have much confidence in (a) the numbers from over a year ago reflecting current reality, or (b) Pew’s ability to contribute anything meaningful to this discussion if it took them a year to analyze the numbers and create this report.

]]> By: maxconfus http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/05/06/america-the-growing-digital-divide/#comment-1367839 maxconfus Mon, 07 May 2007 18:32:21 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/05/06/america-the-growing-digital-divide/#comment-1367839 Most people I know don't care about web 2.0 or the Internet in general. Most people I know don’t care about web 2.0 or the Internet in general.

]]> By: Eric http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/05/06/america-the-growing-digital-divide/#comment-1367723 Eric Mon, 07 May 2007 16:44:11 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/05/06/america-the-growing-digital-divide/#comment-1367723 We tend to assume that tech skills are a barrier that keep people from taking full advantage of the interactive opportunities that Web 2.0 offers. Frankly, I wonder. For decades, market researchers like Roper Starch have found that only about 10% of the population really enjoys sharing their opinions -- talking politics, recommending books and movies, urging friends to shop (or not) at a store they've visited, etc... I bet that in ten years, we'll still see a small minority of people who are very active and connected, and a majority that is much less so. We tend to assume that tech skills are a barrier that keep people from taking full advantage of the interactive opportunities that Web 2.0 offers.

Frankly, I wonder.

For decades, market researchers like Roper Starch have found that only about 10% of the population really enjoys sharing their opinions — talking politics, recommending books and movies, urging friends to shop (or not) at a store they’ve visited, etc…

I bet that in ten years, we’ll still see a small minority of people who are very active and connected, and a majority that is much less so.

]]> By: THE SAVVY BOOMER http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/05/06/america-the-growing-digital-divide/#comment-1367693 THE SAVVY BOOMER Mon, 07 May 2007 16:12:01 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/05/06/america-the-growing-digital-divide/#comment-1367693 <strong>The Digital divide-Where are you on it?...</strong> The above chart and comments about it are posted on TechCrunch. They ask the natural question, is it a strictly a factor of age? They look at the fact that such a high reported figure for those not engaging is... The Digital divide-Where are you on it?…

The above chart and comments about it are posted on TechCrunch. They ask the natural question, is it a strictly a factor of age? They look at the fact that such a high reported figure for those not engaging is…

]]> By: Leszek Pawlowicz http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/05/06/america-the-growing-digital-divide/#comment-1367595 Leszek Pawlowicz Mon, 07 May 2007 14:43:16 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/05/06/america-the-growing-digital-divide/#comment-1367595 Who has time to keep up with all the developments in Web 2.0, except those who make a living (or hobby) out of keeping up with developments in Web 2.0? And who can pick and choose which Web 2.0 services are right from the enormous number of choices? Seems to me that you can divide everyone into a number of groupings: 1. A small core of enthusiasts for whom just the "coolness" of Web 2.0 is enough, and who may not ask the question about whether "coolness" is useful 2. A somewhat larger group of interested people who know and understand Web 2.0, but aren't obsessed with it. 3. The largest group, who could benefit from some Web 2.0 in their life, but either can't decide which one is right, or don't have the time to figure it out for themselves. 4. Those who don't want Web 2.0, because they don't see the need, or find the process of learning all this stuff intimidating (something that group 1 forgets about all the time). Choice is a good thing, but too much choice isn't. I'm pretty smart, and I can <a href="http://partners.nytimes.com/library/magazine/home/20001105mag-game.html" rel="nofollow">remember a lot</a>, but I've given up on trying to keep track of what's out there, and whether I should bother to learn any of it. Life is too short, and Web 2.0 isn't life. Who has time to keep up with all the developments in Web 2.0, except those who make a living (or hobby) out of keeping up with developments in Web 2.0? And who can pick and choose which Web 2.0 services are right from the enormous number of choices?

Seems to me that you can divide everyone into a number of groupings:

1. A small core of enthusiasts for whom just the “coolness” of Web 2.0 is enough, and who may not ask the question about whether “coolness” is useful

2. A somewhat larger group of interested people who know and understand Web 2.0, but aren’t obsessed with it.

3. The largest group, who could benefit from some Web 2.0 in their life, but either can’t decide which one is right, or don’t have the time to figure it out for themselves.

4. Those who don’t want Web 2.0, because they don’t see the need, or find the process of learning all this stuff intimidating (something that group 1 forgets about all the time).

Choice is a good thing, but too much choice isn’t. I’m pretty smart, and I can remember a lot, but I’ve given up on trying to keep track of what’s out there, and whether I should bother to learn any of it. Life is too short, and Web 2.0 isn’t life.

]]> By: Marshall Kirkpatrick http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/05/06/america-the-growing-digital-divide/#comment-1367593 Marshall Kirkpatrick Mon, 07 May 2007 14:42:53 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/05/06/america-the-growing-digital-divide/#comment-1367593 Economic class presumably accounts for far more of this than choice. Having relatively less access to information, communication and opportunities for self expression adversely impacts quality of life and is an issue of social justice, IMHO. Economic class presumably accounts for far more of this than choice. Having relatively less access to information, communication and opportunities for self expression adversely impacts quality of life and is an issue of social justice, IMHO.

]]> By: chris http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/05/06/america-the-growing-digital-divide/#comment-1367576 chris Mon, 07 May 2007 14:33:39 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/05/06/america-the-growing-digital-divide/#comment-1367576 *** grammar police citation *** "it’s just that <b>there</b> not using Web 2.0." *** grammar police citation ***
“it’s just that there not using Web 2.0.”

]]> By: Pierre T http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/05/06/america-the-growing-digital-divide/#comment-1367549 Pierre T Mon, 07 May 2007 14:12:05 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/05/06/america-the-growing-digital-divide/#comment-1367549 completly agree with Chris E. we have to be careful with the words we're using. this so-called "divide" is first of all not a divide, secondly, not alarming at all. it is simply the normal adoption curve (pardon my english, i'm french....). At some point, people need to start realizing that the whole planet is not on facebook, or wants to be for that matter. and the world was doing just fine before/without the internet. it was simply different. i'm part of the 8% omnivores by the way, so i'm in no way a techno-phobe, and i think there are wonderful things happening because of internet technology (i.e. www.kiva.org), but please, let's put things in perspective a bit. there is a real world outside, with real divides. my 2 cents completly agree with Chris E. we have to be careful with the words we’re using. this so-called “divide” is first of all not a divide, secondly, not alarming at all. it is simply the normal adoption curve (pardon my english, i’m french….). At some point, people need to start realizing that the whole planet is not on facebook, or wants to be for that matter. and the world was doing just fine before/without the internet. it was simply different.
i’m part of the 8% omnivores by the way, so i’m in no way a techno-phobe, and i think there are wonderful things happening because of internet technology (i.e. http://www.kiva.org), but please, let’s put things in perspective a bit. there is a real world outside, with real divides. my 2 cents

]]> By: Eric http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/05/06/america-the-growing-digital-divide/#comment-1367542 Eric Mon, 07 May 2007 14:10:02 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/05/06/america-the-growing-digital-divide/#comment-1367542 "The median age of the Top 8% is 28 with more than half of them under the age of 30. " I hate to nitpick, but this sentence is stupid. If the median age is 28, then *by definition* half of them are younger than 28, and more than half would be under 30. So what was the point of stating that? “The median age of the Top 8% is 28 with more than half of them under the age of 30. ”

I hate to nitpick, but this sentence is stupid. If the median age is 28, then *by definition* half of them are younger than 28, and more than half would be under 30. So what was the point of stating that?

]]> By: Isaac van Deelen http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/05/06/america-the-growing-digital-divide/#comment-1367430 Isaac van Deelen Mon, 07 May 2007 12:52:44 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/05/06/america-the-growing-digital-divide/#comment-1367430 a) supporting Tom! b) I was only flipping through the graphs, but if I had my eyes open, the study is not comparing figures with earlier stats. c) PEW (the same John Horrigan) released a study (http://www.pewinternet.org/pdfs/PIP_Broadband_trends2006.pdf) in May 2006, showing the following figures: Age 50-64: Broadband in 2005 (27%), Broadband in 2006 (38%) Age 65+: Broadband in 2005 (8%), Broadband in 2006 (13%) Less than high school: Broadband in 2005 (10%), Broadband in 2006 (17%) Under $30K income: Broadband in 2005 (15%), Broadband in 2006 (21%) d) if anything, digital divide is decreasing. a) supporting Tom!
b) I was only flipping through the graphs, but if I had my eyes open, the study is not comparing figures with earlier stats.
c) PEW (the same John Horrigan) released a study (http://www.pewinternet.org/pdfs/PIP_Broadband_trends2006.pdf) in May 2006, showing the following figures:
Age 50-64: Broadband in 2005 (27%), Broadband in 2006 (38%)
Age 65+: Broadband in 2005 (8%), Broadband in 2006 (13%)
Less than high school: Broadband in 2005 (10%), Broadband in 2006 (17%)
Under $30K income: Broadband in 2005 (15%), Broadband in 2006 (21%)

d) if anything, digital divide is decreasing.

]]> By: Dean http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/05/06/america-the-growing-digital-divide/#comment-1367403 Dean Mon, 07 May 2007 12:30:26 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/05/06/america-the-growing-digital-divide/#comment-1367403 That 8% is a highly sought after segment that will spend lots of cash for many years to come. Web 2.0 is creating unique intelligence that marketers will use to hack into our brains... quick smash your computers and build a fort in the woods!!! That 8% is a highly sought after segment that will spend lots of cash for many years to come. Web 2.0 is creating unique intelligence that marketers will use to hack into our brains… quick smash your computers and build a fort in the woods!!!

]]> By: George Nimeh http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/05/06/america-the-growing-digital-divide/#comment-1367337 George Nimeh Mon, 07 May 2007 11:15:14 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/05/06/america-the-growing-digital-divide/#comment-1367337 Duncan, It is still quite early in the adoption cycle, and it should come as no surprise that adoption is being led by a small, tech-savvy group of younger, media-driven enthusiasts and early-adopters. I find the fact that there are 31% of American adults who are considered to be "elite tech users" to be encouraging. Almost one third of US adults? Incredible. How some can think that this is not an incredibly encouraging number is beyond me. And what's with the Nintendo Wii comparison? Trying to make an argument related to a shift in the global tech market and user-adoption cycle by using the marketing tactics of a single product is a bit weird. Just my $0.02, ~G~ Duncan,

It is still quite early in the adoption cycle, and it should come as no surprise that adoption is being led by a small, tech-savvy group of younger, media-driven enthusiasts and early-adopters.

I find the fact that there are 31% of American adults who are considered to be “elite tech users” to be encouraging. Almost one third of US adults? Incredible. How some can think that this is not an incredibly encouraging number is beyond me.

And what’s with the Nintendo Wii comparison? Trying to make an argument related to a shift in the global tech market and user-adoption cycle by using the marketing tactics of a single product is a bit weird.

Just my $0.02,
~G~

]]> By: Chris E http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/05/06/america-the-growing-digital-divide/#comment-1367294 Chris E Mon, 07 May 2007 10:00:29 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/05/06/america-the-growing-digital-divide/#comment-1367294 "...a disturbing number are either not getting the message, or are choosing not to participate." I am not disturbed by this gap because I do not think it represents gaps in far more important areas such as health, education, wealth and happiness. I enjoy many new technologies. At the same time I have many friends and family who couldn't care less and their quality of life is excellent. The faster technology moves, the greater the gap will be between usage by the early adopters and the mainstream. This is not something to necessarily be worried about. “…a disturbing number are either not getting the message, or are choosing not to participate.”

I am not disturbed by this gap because I do not think it represents gaps in far more important areas such as health, education, wealth and happiness. I enjoy many new technologies. At the same time I have many friends and family who couldn’t care less and their quality of life is excellent. The faster technology moves, the greater the gap will be between usage by the early adopters and the mainstream. This is not something to necessarily be worried about.

]]> By: man http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/05/06/america-the-growing-digital-divide/#comment-1367236 man Mon, 07 May 2007 06:59:27 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/05/06/america-the-growing-digital-divide/#comment-1367236 sure am sure am

]]> By: Seth Finkelstein http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/05/06/america-the-growing-digital-divide/#comment-1367224 Seth Finkelstein Mon, 07 May 2007 06:27:45 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/05/06/america-the-growing-digital-divide/#comment-1367224 It's not a Digital Divide, it's a "Hangout Divide". People who are married, possibly with kids, and full-time professional jobs, tend not to spend a lot of time on the sort of chat/IM/FaceBook/etc. that teens and such do. It’s not a Digital Divide, it’s a “Hangout Divide”. People who are married, possibly with kids, and full-time professional jobs, tend not to spend a lot of time on the sort of chat/IM/FaceBook/etc. that teens and such do.

]]>