The Digital Divide
The articles on the digital divide were quite eye-opening. (I never realized that cell phones can improve economic conditions!) It's also nice to know that not all teenagers are way ahead of their parents on the internet. Also, the studies done by Nielsen are impressive, innovative, and very useful.
Clearly, website developers need to take into account disabilities, differences in learning style, and different levels of education and reading ability, in designing websites. Democrats, in particular, might find such disadvantaged populations more receptive to their message.
(I often find myself having trouble reading online - I believe it's related to the way my eyes respond to an inner ear condition that I have. Sometimes it's just really uncomfortable. But I don't think there's anything that can be done to accommodate my problem.)
On the issue of race, I think it's important to point out that the article from the New Amsterdam News, I believe, is only talking about the attention that minority bloggers get from the mainstream media. This doesn't necessarily mean that there are no minority voices in the blogosphere (though, of course, money and available technology can be a factor).
However, the xx.blog article makes a good point: when whites say they like the fact that the web is color blind, perhaps they just mean that they don't want to be bothered with issues of race. (On the other hand, Femocrat makes a good point - to what extent can you make statements about race and blogging, unless you know the identity - and race - of every blogger?)
These are complex issues, but I'm glad that the questions are being asked.
Clearly, website developers need to take into account disabilities, differences in learning style, and different levels of education and reading ability, in designing websites. Democrats, in particular, might find such disadvantaged populations more receptive to their message.
(I often find myself having trouble reading online - I believe it's related to the way my eyes respond to an inner ear condition that I have. Sometimes it's just really uncomfortable. But I don't think there's anything that can be done to accommodate my problem.)
On the issue of race, I think it's important to point out that the article from the New Amsterdam News, I believe, is only talking about the attention that minority bloggers get from the mainstream media. This doesn't necessarily mean that there are no minority voices in the blogosphere (though, of course, money and available technology can be a factor).
However, the xx.blog article makes a good point: when whites say they like the fact that the web is color blind, perhaps they just mean that they don't want to be bothered with issues of race. (On the other hand, Femocrat makes a good point - to what extent can you make statements about race and blogging, unless you know the identity - and race - of every blogger?)
These are complex issues, but I'm glad that the questions are being asked.
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