Food Before Computers

Re:The Real Digital Divide. The Economist, March 10, 2005.

This article is a great read because it goes into details about the real digital divide. As described by the article, the digital divide is not a problem in itself, but a symptom of deeper, more important divides: of income, development and literacy. Third world countries have a tougher time getting access to the internet because people are poorer, illiterate or are more concerned with other issues such as finding food, health care or security. Developed countries have the resources available to offer access to the internet and technologies.

What I really liked about this article was how it described the deeper problem of the digital divide. The deeper problem is the necessity for basic needs, such as food or electricity. If people don't have the basic needs for life, such as food, then why would they need or want a computer. Having a computer wont help someone feed their hunger.

The greater digital divide must first be dealt with by giving the essentials of life to people before worrying about computers.