This may be a little off topic but a direct off shoot. I was directed to the following BLOG. It talks about the impact of the new technologies on activism itself. I think it is important for us all to remember that it is not only the technology (although it's really cool ;-)), but rather the potential for the technology. Check it out. It is pretty interesting.
http://www.ethanzuckerman.com/blog/?p=452 Malin Coleridge Business Analyst TechSoup.org (a program of CompuMentor) Tel: (415) 633-9346 Fax: (415) 512-9400 http://www.techsoup.org http://www.compumentor.org -----Original Message----- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Andy Carvin Sent: Wednesday, March 29, 2006 9:26 AM To: The Digital Divide Network discussion group; [EMAIL PROTECTED]; [EMAIL PROTECTED]; [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: [DDN] What does it mean to be a technology activist? What Does it Mean to be a Technology Activist? Taran Rampersad has just authored an insightful essay on what it means to be a technology activist. Some highlights: "Really - what is a technology activist? This has been something I've been trying to figure out, as it is presently a primary description of me... I joked about it, saying that the 'pay sucks' (and it does), and that there's little room for advancement.... "And I still can't quite put a finger on what a technology activist is. At the end of the day, it's a very broad and ill defined area which is a bit scarey, because perception might lead people to believe that technology activism is limited to a select group, when in fact I believe it isn't. I believe that it's a part of the natural course of technology. "For my part, I see it as an issue related to quality of life. I know that a lot of other people feel the same, though most I do know of would be categorized as Digital Divide Activists...." -------------- Taran goes on to say that technology activism in itself is "a pretty poorly defined area." Generally speaking, he concludes, it means "trying to bring about change with technology." I think that hits the nail on the head. Being a technology activist and working to bridge the digital divide isn't about putting an Internet PC so we can grow the market for e-commerce, online gaming or entertainment.... Instead, being a technology activist is something more basic: fostering equitable access to tools that will improve people's quality of life - quality as they define it, on their own terms.... At its root, it's not about the technology. Being a technology activist is being a community activist, a social justice activist, a political activist, an education activist, a development activist. We've got these amazing tools that are revolutionizing the way we all live, learn, earn and interact. Shouldn't everyone have the same opportunity to benefit from these tools, so they too can make a better life for themselves? Taran's essay: http://www.knowprose.com/node/11473 My response: http://www.andycarvin.com/archives/2006/03/what_does_it_mean_to.html -- ------------------------------ Andy Carvin acarvin (at) edc . org andycarvin (at) yahoo . com http://www.digitaldivide.net http://www.andycarvin.com ------------------------------ _______________________________________________ DIGITALDIVIDE mailing list DIGITALDIVIDE@mailman.edc.org http://mailman.edc.org/mailman/listinfo/digitaldivide To unsubscribe, send a message to [EMAIL PROTECTED] with the word UNSUBSCRIBE in the body of the message. _______________________________________________ DIGITALDIVIDE mailing list DIGITALDIVIDE@mailman.edc.org http://mailman.edc.org/mailman/listinfo/digitaldivide To unsubscribe, send a message to [EMAIL PROTECTED] with the word UNSUBSCRIBE in the body of the message.
