connecting
Michael Lenczner to cracin-canada
subject: interesting language in a muni-wireless RFPhttp://www.oft.state.ny.us/oft/UniversalBroadband/Universal_Broadband_Grant_RFP.pdf
The sad order of priorities:
“In the 21st Century, access to affordable high-speed Internet service is no longer a luxury, but a necessity for economic competitiveness, homeland security, health care access, educational and social opportunity and equity.”Similarly, if broadband is available and affordable, but citizens do not to subscribe to the broadband services because they have not been exposed and educated to the capabilities and benefits of the Internet, the State’s vision cannot be realized. Technology adoption and cultural barriers also need to be overcome.”
“Overcoming cultural barriers”?
The RFP calls for an open-access network though, which is good news.
I attended a lecture on orthodox Jews use, or lack of use of the internet “Haredim Confront Modernity: Children & the Internet” in November and was startled by (my interpretation) the researcher’s attitude that not having internet access was automatically a negative thing.
I’m struck by the idea that my desire to not have internet access at home is probably understood by the government only as a deficit to be corrected.
UPDATE:
Sorry - I knew that there was something wrong with my previous email and just realized. I’m concerned about ISF’s mission and about the relation between social change and the a larger agenda of “connectedness”.. When I questioned the priorities of “homeland security” I definitely wasn’t adequately taking into context NYC’s recent experience with 9/11. Stupid. I definitely take it back my off-hand remark about that part of RFP for the city.
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On a separate note:
This is Gerardo’s cousin’s LizMisterio’s photoblog. She’s way cooler than I ever was (not hard) and she’s going to art school in Mexico city. I’m happy that she’s getting her style out there.