Digital Divide in the US and Around the World Essay -- Technology Tech

Digital Divide in the US and Around the World Since the launch of the Internet as a global communication network and the boom in communication technologies, our world has been overwhelmed by a new phenomenon – digital divide. It has gradually turned into a major, constantly growing world issue, threatening to further increase the gap between advanced and developing countries. Yet, is digital divide really an unprecedented occurrence or a natural and unavoidable trend? â€Å"Divide† is certainly a word whose meaning could be traced back to the mere dawn of human history. It goes even deeper – to human nature itself: to sex and racial differentiation, to unequal physical and mental powers, to different location and social status. During the nineteenth century, though, theory of communism tried to defy the principles of naturally existing divide. However, Marx’s utopia, which contradicted basic economic principles – of scarcity and unbounded need – was unachievable. Indeed, through the failure of the communistic experiment, which became so flagrant after the fall of the Iron Curtain, history promoted the inevitability of divide as a symbol of individual uniqueness. As to â€Å"digital†, it is just one of the many attributes of â€Å"divide† that has assumed a global meaning. Therefore, although social and economic differences will undoubtedly continue to harass society in the 21st century, the bridging of the digital gap between those in the lead and those who lag behind should be a major issue for modern civilization. What is â€Å"digital divide†, however? We measure it in terms of penetration of communication services, Internet connectivity, and technological development, but what could possibly be... ...e. Journal of Housing and Community Development v. 58, no2 (Mar./Apr. 2001): 14-15, 17, 45 IMF staff. Globalization: Threat or Opportunity? IMF and World Bank staffs. 100 Percent Debt Cancellation? A response from the IMF and the World Bank. (July, 2001): 1-6 Irving, Larry. Falling Through the Net: Defining the Digital Divide. Kathimerini – Greece’s International English Language Newspaper; September 18, 2001 < http://www.ekathimerini.com/news/content.asp?id=100100 > Poster, Mark. What’s the Matter with the Internet. Wilson, Dwight. The World’s Poor need the Internet. (July 19,2001)