Jeffrey Sachs: The visionary economist and technology advocate

In this world, there are talkers, listeners, and doers. Jeffrey Sachs is a man of all three attributes- a rarity in a world of hypocrisy. Sachs, a world-renowned humanitarian and economist, spends his life working to reduce Global poverty. He travels the world in order to assess the specific economic and social needs of developing countries. I plan to discuss the issue of poverty and Jeffery Sachs’s economic remedies to this issue, specifically relating to his support of mobile technologies for banking and other economic ventures. I firmly believe that Jeffrey Sachs is an intelligent and mindful person that will assist in the dissemination of such technologies, further lessening the digital divide.

In the Vanity Fair Article entitled “Jeffery Sachs $200 Billion Dream,” Nina Munk elaborates on Jeffrey Sachs’s admirable endeavor to end world poverty. Above all, he is an intelligent and purposeful man. Jeffrey’s main platform: “Millions of people die each year for the stupid reason they are too poor to stay alive”. With this call to action, Sachs works to lobby for the unheard and poorly represented: and, urges all citizens to aid in the battle against world poverty. By holding people accountable to do something, Sachs ignites thought, discussion, and action. In his book, The End of Poverty, Sachs states, “Either you decide to leave people to die or you decide to do something about it”. Furthermore, Sachs calls attention by stomping on the illegitimate excuse for doing nothing because Africa is corrupt. If anything, it should motivate others to support and better the devastating predicament.

“Every day, 22,000 people on the planet die of poverty,” Sachs notes. I find this fact shocking and poignant. Additionally, I was disturbed to read the total annual budget for health care in Ruhiira is $1.90 per person (Munk). These and many more statistics stimulate emotions that many people, including myself, attempt to ignore: guilt and sadness. I believe Sachs posses a very strong argument. Unfortunately, he will continue to fight resistance because many wealthy Americans do not want to comprehend the harshness of this reality. Sachs presents to the public that poverty is a rampant epidemic we can cure. Our affluent nation has enough resources; we just need to use them wisely and selflessly. Sachs’s economic research claims that poverty can be potentially curbed by 1% of America citizens’ income (The End of Poverty).

In conjunction with Sachs’s economic plan to eradicate poverty, he addresses the importance of investing in technological capacities and provides examples of successful cases in ‘scaling up’ (The End of Poverty). In a recent article entitled The Digital War on Poverty, Sachs states “Digital information technologies, if deployed cooperatively and globally, will be our most important new tools, because they will enable us to join together globally in markets, social networks, and cooperative efforts to solve our common problems.”

Inevitably, people agree there are stunning benefits to the spreading of mobile and information communication systems; but some may question:  what are these benefits? Sachs advocates that rural poor communities now have access to wireless banking and payment systems, such as Kenya’s infamous M-PESA system, which facilitates money transfers through mobile phones. Such benefits allow people in developing countries to grab the reigns of their own finances and learn how to save, invest, and spend more wisely. Ultimately, these people are able to effectively use devices to stimulate their own economic activity—rather than relying on other sources and people.

Digital devices and information technologies are rapidly spreading, even in developing nations. After reading Jeffrey Sachs’s economic perspectives and insights, I firmly believe that change must happen to ameliorate the conditions people are enduring. I support the spreading of these technologies; and even though people in developing nations have less educational resources compared to that of the US and UK, they are capable of using and benefiting from such technologies.

References

Munk, Nina. (2007). Jeffrey Sachs’s $200 Billion Dream http://www.vanityfair.com/politics/features/2007/07/sachs200707

Sachs, Jeffrey. (2008). The Digital War on Poverty.

http://www.project-syndicate.org/commentary/sachs144/English

Sahcs, Jeffrey. (2006). The End of Poverty.

Cyberbullying: When enough is enough

We all know that kid. Brawny and hot-tempered, with and iron fist and thick head. He is not the sharpest tool in the shed, but confident nonetheless. He walks around fearless and only exudes one emotion, anger. At first sight, we can only think things of degrading nature: “I hope I’m at least stuffed in a locker close to my next class…that swirly is gonna make me smell all day long…goodbye lunch and allowance.” Yes, that kid is none other than your neighborhood bully.

Or perhaps you are more familiar with that girl—the stereotypical leader of the “mean girl” pack, who uses social power to degrade and mock you until you feel lost in an abyss of hurt and embarrassment. She spreads offensive rumors that can ruin your life. She is another prime example of a bully.

These general profiles—or concepts—of a bully are no longer constrained to such common perceptions. In fact, the neighborhood bully is an animal that has transformed into a beast with the presence of cyberspace—a beast access to a global audience and no boundaries. Cyberbullies can be anyone; all you need is mobile phone or computer with web access. The scope and shape of bullying has changed and the questions people are raising now are: who is responsible and how can this issue be combated? Cyberbullying is no joke. It is not some abstract, hypothetical threat to internet users; it is here and it is real. I plan to discuss the issues surrounding cyberbullying and potential government interaction.

“Cyberbullying—use of the internet, cell phones, or other technology to send or post text or images intended to hurt or embarrass another person” (National Crime Prevention Center). The National Crime Prevention Center (NCPC) with the Harris Initiative Inc. commissioned a study to investigate the issue of cyberbullying among middle school and high school-aged students in the United Stated. Their results yielded some surprisingly harsh realities. According to this study, more than four in ten teens (43%) reported experiencing some type of cyberbullying in the past year. Another interesting trend: incidences were higher among females than males and the issue was more prevalent among 15 and 16 year-olds. The most prevalent emotions reported were by victims who felt angry (56%), hurt (33%), and embarrassed (32%). Moreover, many victims claimed to know their bullies; this finding debunks the assumption that most bullying occurs through encounters with anonymous users.

With this rampant epidemic of harassment through the internet, it is time for people to consider ways to combat this issue. The reality: regulation is complex and difficult. The NCPC quoted a police officer that described the internet in relation to regulation. He stated, “Imagine you lived in a city in which there was no police force, no rules, crime is rampant, you can say what ever you want to whomever you want, everyone lies and no one is too worries about it.”

Various states have passed legislation to criminalize cyberbullying. These laws raise debate with freedom of speech advocates who believe the internet should be free from any governmental interaction (Discovery News). Although many states have passed laws to combat cyberbullying, such laws do not exist on the federal level. There was a bill introduced in 2008 and 2010, but I suspect it was not passed due to the debate over First Amendment rights. Many civil rights groups are weary that vague language in the bill could lead to violations of rights, therefore, stifling the voice of the American people.

While the government may be debating this issue, some institutions are taking action by cracking down hard on cyberbullying. The College Anonymous Discussion Board (commonly referred to as College ACB) is under much scrutiny for its open platform that fosters an environment fueled by gossip and slander. Carolyn Witte (2010) of the Cornell Daily Sun claimed that College ACB is “a disease, it’s contagious and it’s addictive. Worse, it is self-destructive and undermines everything universities stand for.” Content constructed by anonymous users can be extremely offensive, false, and embarrassing; many believe it is another form of harassment, especially when users are talking directly about other users by name. Before College ACB, JuicyCampus was banned from various institutions for its harmful content and affects on students. Universities are debating whether to ban College ACB, but face debates with civil rights of students; additionally, a ban or lawsuit would contradict the 1996 Telecommunications Act, which states, “website users are not responsible for libel on their sites” (Witte). Cornell’s student body will be debating this issue more in the fall and the future will only tell whether this form of cyber bullying will be restricted.

Personally, I believe regulating this issue will be extremely difficult; but I also believe that limiting the instances of cyberbullying would assist in protecting users from harassment. Furthermore, I believe preventative measures should be taken to mitigate this epidemic. Banning a site like college ACB would be one step that could assist in lessening the blow of the “beast”—the bullies in cyber space. No person should fear using the internet, for it unlocks a world of opportunities to learn and grow. I believe more discussion should take place, and internet infrastructure should be built so that cyberbullying does not inhibit users from accessing such a robust and enhanced learning space.

References:

Cyberbullying: Trends and Tudes (2007). National Crime Prevention Center.

http://www.ncpc.org/resources/files/pdf/bullying/Cyberbullying%20Trends%20-%20Tudes.pdf

Exploring the Nature and Prevention of Bullying. http://www.ksde.org/Default.aspx?tabid=3913

 

Why We Should All Hate College ACB (2010). Carolyn Witte. http://cornellsun.com/node/41938

Is Cyber Bullying Illegal?(2010). Discovery News.

http://news.discovery.com/tech/is-cyber-bullying-illegal.html

Telemedicine Technologies In Action

       In Tanzania, poor logistics and infrastructure have contributed to health deficiencies and spread of disease. With the introduction of new, low-cost mhealth technologies, great strides have been made towards diagnosing patients and providing proactive care. The digital era is not discriminative to the western culture; in fact, mobile phones are pervasive in developing countries as well. Due to the rapid increase in such innovation dissemination, Tanzanian people, assisting organizations, and medical workers are making use of mhealth technologies. In this blog, I will discuss the development of mobile phone applications and their uses in Tanzania, as well as weigh the costs and benefits of such technologies.

     Until rather recently, mobile phone applications were geared towards consumer education –providing access to information on health topics and prevention methods. Innovations then permeated the field of dermatology, the study of skin disorders. Now, mobile applications are attending to a greater need –assisting in diagnosis for patients with chronic conditions.

     Various religious and health organizations have combined efforts to introduce telemedicine, “a distant diagnosis platform in which health workers use cell phone technology to carry out distance diagnosis through a Web-based program,” to the Tanzanian heath care system and infrastructure (iPhone and other Smartphone Apps, 2011).

     How do these applications work? It is quite simple. Clinical workers use mobile phones to take pictures and record information of patients. Information, especially those on complex cases, can be showed to specialists via the iPath (a secure datatbase) telemedicine platform; these specialists can make recommendations and provide advice based on information received.

Kizito Mrema, the project’s resource person, states, “The goal is to have an online consultation network operating between 43 health facilities in the country, where about one hundred consultations are taking place weekly of which 20% are second opinion” (Cell Phones Saving Lives in Tanzania, 2011). Currently, doctors and consultants involved in this network are required to attend several training programs that cover the use of iPath and mobile applications.

     Dr. Mauri Niemi, a medical doctor in Tanzania, reports great success stating that he consults specialists every time he comes across complex issues, and the advice he receives has been extremely helpful. Niemi travels to remote places in Tanzania to assist the rural population—those who cannot get to medical centers. With the mobile applications and telemedicine platform, he “sends x-rays, photos of skin conditions and tissue samples and patient information to specialist doctors for consultation online” (Cell Phones Saving Lives in Tanzania, 2011). The telemedicine platform can be accessed by any internet browser or cell phone with GPRS connection. In one case, Dr. Niemi met with a toddler who suffered from a swollen ear that worsened by the use of antibiotics. Niemi used his cell phone to take a picture of the child’s infected ear and upload relevant information to the telemedicine platform. An ear specialist in Dar es Salaam suggested an operation, which was later carried out in a neighboring region; the operation was successful and the child survived.

     In a presentation, Dr. Niemi identified the benefits of mhealth technologies. First, the system is usable on slow networks, in remote locations. Second, small dispensaries and hospitals can communicate. Third, patient information is sent on a secure website. Fourth, automatic notifications between parties involved are time effective. Fifth, time and money are saved when more people are treated in close hospitals.

     Deusdedit Mjungu, a clinical analyst, says there will be a new generation of doctors who will change the old practices if they are encouraged. He claims the main hurdle is integrating the telemedicine system so that is pervasive among health organizations and workers, as well as the establishment of a streamlined billing system (Cell Phones Saving Lives in Tanzania, 2011).

   I firmly believe the initial costs of integrating the telemedicine system will be worth the amount of lives saved. Even with the incremental adoption of these technologies, Tanzanians have benefited. Although these systems may not be the best for the Western culture, Tanzania and other developing countries need as much care as possible. If there are methods to provide rural populations with poor health conditions better health care through distance diagnosis, then it should be a goal greatly pursued. There are not enough doctors available or willing to travel across remote regions of developing nations; but there are doctors willing to consult and advise through online platforms. I believe this resource will generate positive results and is necessary in assisting the fight against world poverty and poor health.

References:

iPhone and other Smartphone Apps (mHealth or mobile health): TeleMental Health News (TMHI News). 2011. http://archive.aweber.com/tmhinews/JgFTk/t/iPhone_and_other_Smartphone_Apps.htm

Cell Phones Changing Lives in Tanzania. 2011. http://www.nl-aid.org/continent/sub-saharan-africa/cell-phones-saving-lives-in-tanzania/

Futuristic Education

         Technological advancements have fueled a new branch of international development: information and communication technology. Controversial discussion surrounds this development idea, questioning whether technology should acquire funding that would otherwise supply basic needs and resources to developing countries. Although the extent, breadth, and investment of such technologies is highly debated, there is an accepted agreement that increased education will have positive, long-term affects on targeted populations. Information and communication technologies are considered revolutionary and sexy, which attracts demand from even the most poverty-stricken populations; dissemination and implementation of such technologies, therefore, are inevitable. Now, it is time for development activists to create practical, creative plans to use these technologies most efficiently—in ways that benefit society through education. I am interested in discussing the methods, benefits, and feasibility of open and distance learning in developing nations.

            The traditional concept of education has transformed as well. The typical teacher-student classroom environment has expanded to encompass myriad physical and mental capacities. Most notably, the development of open and distance learning has taken the reigns of this educational evolution. The United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESC) explains that open and distance learning “refers to approaches to learning that focus on freeing learners from constraints of time and place while offering flexible learning opportunities.” There are differential factors between open and distance learning. In distance learning, the educational process occurs when all or a majority of teaching is performed between two parties that are geographically removed from each other. In this method, the UNESC also states that communication between teachers and learners can be “conducted through electronic or print mediums.” Open learning refers to relatively flexible organizational structures in which engaged participants have the freedom of selection, as well as when and where to learn. Partnerships between USA educational institutions and other universities enable a grater flow of quality resources and information. By establishing this streamlined communication through internet technologies, developing countries can provide their students with learning opportunities that provide critical knowledge and skills; in turn, helping a society help themselves. Now that I discussed the basic premise and methods of open distance learning, let’s take a look at a modern case of such practices.

 

      In 1997, the African Virtual University was established to “facilitate the use of effective Open, Distance, and eLearning in African Institutions.” This non-profit organization is the largest mobile e-learning network, serving the pan African regions across 30 countries. The African Virtual University has experienced great success even with major limitations and challenges that can become cumbersome. Such success and benefits of open and distance learning are outlined by the Commonwealth of Learning organization. After extensive research and case studies, various benefits support the implementation of ICT’s for educational purposes. First, physical distance is no longer a barrier because learners in remote locations, or just less motivated to travel, can learn from the comfort of their home. Additionally, defying physical distance allows for teachers and students from all over the world to collaborate, exchange information, and expand their knowledge base. Second, time and scheduling issues can be mitigated. Students can take classes on their own time and schedule classes around work and family responsibilities. Third, this educational method accommodates low enrollments and limited number of teachers available. Institutions can now increase student enrollment through online courses, rather than depending on fluctuating admissions and income. Additionally, institutions are limited in teachers and the funds to pay them; open and distance-based learning allows one teacher to reach a mass audience of students. Finally, this method widens the opportunities for women, as well as populations affected by violence and displacement. 

            The feasibility of open and distance learning has shown to improve the capacities of institutions in developing countries. Expansion of these technologies will be a large hurdle until more computers can be provided to populations in need, efficiently and at low cost. Education is a key to developing a prosperous and working country, but it will take more than the attractiveness of innovations to bring such technologies to countries where education is lacking. It will take manpower and cooperation between both private and public sectors to assist in ameliorating the disparities in education. Logically, the return on the investment is apparent. One teacher or organization can reach a mass audience with the purpose of providing education. I believe the future of education lies within the development of open and distance learning methods, providing developing countries with resources and materials at low cost. The next step is to create effective plans and infrastructure to support these education development goals.

Commonwealth of Learning. INTRODUCTION TO OPEN AND DISTANCE LEARNING (ODL). http://www.col.org/resources/publications/trainingresources/Pages/intro.aspx

Cosmas, Makunka. Distance Learning Access to Higher Education in Zambia. http://pcf4.dec.uwi.edu/viewpaper.php?id=331&print=1

United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization. http://portal.unesco.org/education/en/ev.php-URL_ID=22329& URL_DO=DO_TOPIC&URL_SECTION=201.html  

MEanderthal

While perusing the Smithsonian’s National Museum of Natural History, I came across the most intriguing, and comical, exhibit activity: MEanderthal. The line was extremely long for the actual kiosk activity, but alas, there was an iphone app. There was no question in my mind whether MEanderthal would be entertaining or not; I downloaded the application in .58 seconds.

Just like that, my face was virtually morphed into that of a Female Homo Floresiensis. The caption read:

“You lived just 95,000 to 17,000 years ago on an island in what is now Southeast Asia. You are very small…with a brain only about a third the size of modern humans. You stood up and walked. You made tools and hunted. …Scientists call you a Hobbit. Your modern relatives didn't know you existed until 2003, when they found your small skull and skeleton on the island of Flores in Indonesia.”

My first reaction: “Great, I’m considered a hobbit; my life is complete.” (Insert sarcastic tone here)

Second reaction: “Wow, this interesting. I do not know much about early humans. I want to read more.”

Although ridiculous is many ways, this application stimulated my interest about a scientific topic I was previously unaware and uninterested about. Users can transform face-pictures into different versions of early humans. Additionally, this application provided engaging resources to learn more about human origins.

When discussing innovative methods to reach the science- illiterate public, applications like MEanderthal and other examples can serve as models that promote an active approach to learning—one that attracts public interest.

In Virtual museums, a survey and some issues for consideration (Styliani et al., 2009), research identified key features of online interactive tools. A few of them included:  “Good instructional design; pro-active learning contexts; good balance between learning and leisure; no text-heavy pages to interfere with the learning experience.” Considering these feature, mobile device applications can used to promote learning in and outside the museum experience. For the purposes of off-site education, applications can be used as platforms to obtain and interact with information in engaging ways.

It’s Tyrannosaurus Rex- Smithsonian’s Prehistoric Pals, for example, integrates entertainment with education. By simulating a bygone world through games, a usable interface, and attractive content, users can experience remarkable graphics and sound effects.

The user begins on a placid, pre-historic journey with the typical birds chirping and leisure creatures roaming around plentiful vegetation. Then…IT comes; with loud stomps and thundering noises, the T-Rex disrupts the peaceful habitat. Users take a tour with the T-Rex on his expedition: looking for dinner. With every creature the T-Rex encounters, the application illustrates information and features of the creatures. Additionally, the user can read the text or listen to professional narration of the content.

What makes this application so intriguing? The oh-so desirable combination of fun and learning, two words that are often unassociated with each other. I propose this model can serve as a framework for scientific communication. Public awareness can be promoted through engaging mobile device users with scientific information and entertainment.

When discussing the myriad of issues surrounding the disconnect between science comprehension and general public knowledge, innovations can be devised to assist in ameliorating this disparity. There are four reasons that support why the model of mobile device applications serves as a suitable method for an increasing the public awareness: accessibility, usability, and engagement. By reaching out to the consumers, getting on their level, the scientific and communication community can reach a large, diverse population; feeding this opportunity to consumers can facilitate their decision to learn more about science. Secondly, the use of mobile devices is spreading rapidly and has evolved into a crucial part of peoples’ daily lives. As people become more accustomed to technological advancements, the way they seek and disseminate information is largely influenced by this phenomenon. Usable applications will make learning convenient. Finally, engaging material and features of applications can highly influence consumer motivation. Making science interesting and comprehensible has proven to be a challenge, but there is great potential for finding ways through application features.

Models of successful applications that promote learning and engagement have set a framework for future innovations. Now, the prime question posed: What’s next? The future is demanding more education to influence policy decisions made by an informed public. The hot (no pun intended) topic of global warming poses an exemplary opportunity. Concerned interest groups, scientist, and citizens can create fun and pro-active learning content for applications. If such applications become popular among the mobile device community, scientific awareness will have a greater presence in the American population. It is time for concerned citizens to develop ideas surrounding the most important issues, key facts that need to be understood, and methods to make applications accessible, usable, and engaging. 

Dawson, Greg. BC APP ATTACK. http://blogcritics.org/scitech/article/iphone-app-review-its-tyrannosaurus-rex/#ixzz1QOyFcewn

Guess Who? Anonymity and the world of blogging

 “Is your mystery person a guy or a girl?” I ask my sister, Mary, while playing our favorite childhood game: Guess Who?

“Dude,” Mary says, “My turn...Is your person bald?”

“Nope” I reply, “Does your ‘dude’ wear a hat?”

“Yeah…” Mary replies, this time with less excitement.

“I know who it is…BERNARD!” I enthusiastically declare. She always picks Bernard, I thought.

In this guessing game, two players try to determine the identity of their opponent's mystery character. A player begins with no information or clues; they only have the opportunity to inquire facts based upon characteristics. After each question, the feeling of frustration—caused from the unknowing—subsides as each player gets progressively closer to discovering the mystery character.

Guess Who? is based on one primary objective: the elimination of anonymity, which is the state of being un-identifiable. In this digital era, the ever-expanding capacity of the Internet has promoted an increase in blogging. Used for both personal and professional purposes, blogging has influenced the way in which we construct, acquire, and disseminate information. I am interested in discussing the role and affects of anonymity in relation to blogging; specifically, I want to explore the influence of anonymity on citizen journalism.

Anonymity on the Internet allows people to be virtually unnamed, remaining a mystery. We are left to guess who users are; where they come from; and what organizations or things they represent. I consider the anonymity of Internet users to be a freedom with a cost. Have you ever read a blog and wondered something of the sort: “Who the heck is IHateGoats467? And, why do they always bash my posts?” If that example does not apply to you, then maybe you have heard of (or experienced…I won’t judge) a dating website in which users create virtual personas that are absurdly erroneous. Dream_Guy_411 is not a 28 year-old, dark and handsome CEO of a major corporation in California; but he can claim to be online. Anonymity allows this.

I believe there are two primary motives for anonymity. First, users can write about their perceived truth and participate in public discussion—with security in knowing their identity is concealed and protected from harm. Second, users can make deceitful and repugnant remarks without serious repercussion. Anonymity grants users to initiate influence, but their motives play an integral role in the affects of such communicative behavior.

In relation to citizen journalism, anonymity allows the voices of people, anyone from anywhere, to be heard. According to this week’s reading from Citizen Journalism, communication is ultimately “unedited” and “uncensored” in the constructs of citizen journalism. For example: through blogging, suppressed civilians in Palestine were able to express ideas and reflect on their troubling environment. The peoples’ voices—normally silenced by misrepresentation in the media and negligent political leaders—were publicized on an open forum. The ability to be anonymous or not allowed users to experience personal and political liberation. Even with a corrupt government, Palestinian citizen journalists widened pubic participation. Their intentions were not malicious; rather, they wanted the world to know the dark reality of economic and social suppression in Palestine.

In China, another case of citizen journalism and anonymity were observed with attention to a severe earthquake. Civilian participation on Tianya Club, a national blogging community known for tolerance on liberal ideas, challenged the authority and censorship of the Chinese government. When the high-scale Wenchuan Earthquake hit China, causing devastation and many casualties, citizen journalists were the first to report on this natural disaster. After people started questioning the government’s rationale for not alerting China’s people of a potential quake, online public discussion blew up like the Hiroshima bomb. Anonymous bloggers posted discussions that challenged the government’s authority. Soon the government intervened and began to erase civilian posts. Additionally, anonymity enabled the government to hire bloggers who disguised themselves as civilians in support of government’s actions. People were confused and in an uproar. In this case, anonymity allowed the government to establish a false identity and conceal their culpable practices.

The intricacy of anonymity stimulates an invigorating debate. The affects of this online, communicative freedom must be acknowledged. As consumers of digital media, we must be careful about the source of content and motives of people who communicate with, or at us online. Guessing who is no longer a childhood game, it is a fact of life. 

Bridging the Gap

The issue of inequality has dominated public discussion and concern for centuries. A history of combating this problem has lead to great strides in establishing equal treatment and opportunities for the fellow man. This progression is acknowledged and reflected upon; however, inequalities still exist.

The modernization of society has influenced a shift in inequalities that can be observed through the opportunity and ability to use technological systems.

Over the past two decades, disparities between advantages afforded by information and communication technologies have raised great concern among interested groups. The hefty obstacles of unequal opportunity and ability to use technological communication systems, otherwise known as the “digital divide”, concurrently challenge the economic development in countries with greater populations of non-users.

As technology activists race to develop more innovations, hurdles will impede the balance between advancements and equality across a diverse, worldwide population. 

In order to bridge the gap between those who have and have not, we must understand the reasons and affects of the digital divide; additionally, we must brainstorm strategies and implement policies that aim to provide vulnerable populations with access to such communication devices.

In Blurring Lives and Livelihood, Jonathan Donner explores modern-day issues of the digital divide. According to Donner, “There is enough evidence linking mobile use to productivity and economic development to bring us to…the questions of access and affordability.” With current research support, we can unpack the reasons behind the digital divide: access and affordability. The patterns of technology diffusion have influenced the adoption of 4 billion mobile subscriptions; but even with the pervasiveness of these technologies, a vulnerable population of non-users exists due to lack of access and/or affordability. Donner claims that “economic constraints” and “physical isolation” are common, negative forces that influence the adoption of communication technologies.

Through understanding the roles of access and affordability, we can explore the affects of the digital divide. Who is most affected by digital divide? Unfortunately, the poorest populations—which are in most need of socioeconomic development—suffer the most from lack of access and affordability. Even though this population could improve and flourish from positive outcomes of communication technologies, they are less likely to adopt such devices.

Dr. Royal Colle, former Communication professor at Cornell University, has devoted much of his career towards ameliorating disparities linked to lack of access and affordability. He spends an extensive amount of energy and effort attending to a specific need: meeting the challenge of the digital divide. Dr. Colle claims that deficient access to communication technologies can negatively affect the development of economy, agriculture, and education among more vulnerable populations. If people are given opportunities to use and understand the capabilities of communication technologies, they can build the knowledge and skills required to improve productivity. In an example provided by Dr. Colle, a farmer in Zambia used the Internet to research agriculture commodities. As a result, he learned about sunflower seed cultivation and began a successful operation. In Zambia, corn is the primary commodity grown because it is familiar; farmers are not aware of other opportunities and do not possess the knowledge to pursue other agriculture ventures. With access to the Internt, farmers can contribute to their country’s socioeconomic development.

As more policy makers, country leaders, and researchers become aware of the digital divide, we can explore potential policies that will meet the demand of existing inequalities. Dr. Colle suggests there are three characteristics crucial to effective policy. First, communication technologies must be attractive to the non-user. Second, motivation to gain skills and knowledge must be present. Third, active learning through practical application must take place. It is now in the hands of those able to assist in the promotion and implementation of policies, which aim to improve the access and affordability of communication technologies.