The digital divide is something that recently has come to represent the reality of the world we live in. It, the digital divide is about those with free access to the internet. It is sadly also about those who do not have free access to the internet. Not that free represents no cost. Instead, it represents unfettered or uncontrolled access to the internet. We will break this into two distinct conversations. There is the reality of oppression and the reality of technology. The end game is the information, although if we consider the internet the source of the information we will be dogs chasing our tails. So as we embark on a conversation focusing on the Digital Divide let’s move past the disinformation. The internet is simply a publication platform. It is by definition, an existence little more than a place to put information. The internet to borrow the phrase is a cesspool. It is a great ocean of information, but it is only 4 inches deep. You, as the user are standing on a platform 50 feet in the air. You need to make sure, and you know how deep the internet is where you intend to jump in. The internet today has more conspiracy theories than well verified and real information.
That is the first digital divide — the reality of disinformation. You see, not everyone has the time or resources to check information on the internet. A good friend of mine always talks about the concept of the internet lie detector. He calls it the lie detector connected to your keyboard. He also points out, as my grandfather always used to say, if it sounds too good to be true, it probably isn’t true. There are fake people and people that focus more on being dis-ingenuine that also create a digital device. I don’t waste time on people that don’t follow the honest philosophy of treat others as you expect to be treated.
The second tier of the digital that is the reality of free access to the internet without controls. If the first issue is being able to trust but verify information, having limits to what you can see on the internet is part of the digital divide. That isn’t a technology control, by the way, that is social or government control of the internet, access and the information that is acceptable. (the reality is this tends overwhelmingly to be government control).
The vast majority of the digital divide occurs in these first two. The last part of the digital divide is the technology piece. The last piece is the actual technology. Today there are many people outside of cities that do not have good or decent access to the internet. I don’t mean limited access; in this case, it is no or extremely limited available access.
1. Satellite works for many non-connected homes. However, the satellite has limitations.
2. LTE allows users to connect wirelessly. But, that does require the answer to the question is there enough density as far as people to justify having a tower.
3. Cable modems, DSL, ISDN, ADSL and Fiber all allow users to connect but are limited by the reality of cabling. There are vast stretches of the world where you don’t have access to the internet. 5g is not the answer to this problem.
Cess really important to remember that the digital divide is more than what TV commercials and print ads would have you believe (digital divide impacts rural people). It is the combination of all three. Anyone of the three limits you. Any two in combination limits you. Sadly there are places on this planet where all three are applied, and that is the most limiting.
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Question of
Does your country have free (unrestricted) internet access today?
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Yes
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No
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Question of
Disinformation is a really bad thing right?
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Yes
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No
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Question of
trust but verify!
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Yes
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No
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Question of
This helped define digital divide a little more for me?
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Yes
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No
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Question of
I’ve heard the term digital divide but thought it only applied to rural users
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Yes
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No
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Now, I am starting to understand the digital divide even more because I can see how the digital divide is a factor in politics worldwide.
today it seems to be between the two – business and political.
Q: Does your country have free (unrestricted) internet access today?
Yes (4 votes) – 57%
No (3 votes) – 43%
Q: Disinformation is a really bad thing right?
Yes (6 votes) – 86%
No (1 votes) – 14%
Q: trust but verify!
Yes (7 votes) – 100%
Q: This helped define digital divide a little more for me?
Yes (6 votes) – 100%
Q: I’ve heard the term digital divide but thought it only applied to rural users
Yes (5 votes) – 83%
No (1 votes) – 17%
I hate it when countries try to limit information . But the there is more unverified information out there that could be harmful. I hate it especially when it pertains to health , it could be totally misleading and fatal. Thankfully we can all verify and cross check information that is available.
I worry that health information is often faulty. So is much disinformation. Where someone publishes part of a study as fact, not an entire study.
The reality of the internet is trust but verify.
But the digital divide may limit the ability to do so!
That’s true Doc, for those on the other side of the divide it may be lethal .
I find the reality of disinformation to be bad.
I often comment here on Virily about posts that are well disinformation. I give the author links to the information they shared, with information from reputable sources that show the original information was incorrect.
We have unlimited internet access and have to pay. Price depends on internet speed.
that is good! most places have to pay, but having unlimited internet is both speed and freedom to actually go anywhere on the web!
Great analysis! Very accurately!
Thanks! Trying to get information out, I should probably include sources.
With us the internet is not free … we have packages that include TV, fixed telephony, mobile telephony and unlimited internet access … it costs ok $ 50 depending on the TV and how many programs you have
but free in the case is there limits? Does the government say you cannot go to different web sites?
It all comes with a subscription and it’s also access to unlimited internet and all websites
that is good, then for you the digital divide would probably be the speed of the access.
I’m sure it would work, I just don’t think I need it, dear friend
i suspect it would not be something that impacted you!
Never heard fo this part of technology before. But I am aware of free internet.
it is a huge and growing problem overall!!!
the word Cess in the last paragraph was supposed to be It’s!