shocking!

Woooo!
The Jan 19th class was SO thought-provoking!
I have a lot to say, before I even get to the homework issues about hatred on the WWW… So I'll post the homework later, and just ramble about my general comments for now.

First, I know I have mentioned it in class, but since there was some rebuttal, I think it is worth my while repeating it online: What is published and read online is what is posted by mainstream media, big organizations, institutions, and the wealthy and powerful, by Marx's ruling elite. They are the ones who have the money, the manpower, the resources and the ads. They are the big players.

Indeed, the poor, the weak, the oppressed can't have their voice heard. Women, for example, are in too many countries still confined to their kitchens, while men socialize, work, and maintain their 'superiority'. The illiterate, similarly, can't publish or get heard, unless it is through the mediated voice of the learned, the erudite, the almighty. People with meager incomes can't afford the technology, and too often come back exhausted from their work days.

Using Norris' 3 digital divides, I am arguing here that one of the most important ones is the actual 'democratic' divide, which leaves the oppressed… oppressed! They are neither creating, contributing knowledge, but rather, at best, absorbing it. But I'll get back to that in the homework post…

I very much appreciated the talk about bridges.org, an organization that I might study a little further… I will certainly post their link in my Linkin' and Likin' It section… Their 12 factors of real access tackle the multidimensionality of technology, and show that technological determinism is nothing but an aberration, a simplistic account of societies' interaction with 'tools'.

Finally, a word about literacy. I am appalled by the fact that very few Canadians see literacy as an important issue in fostering/hindering economic development. I was shocked when I moved in my current neighborhood (Sherbourne and Bloor) to see that at the St. James Town library, there was NO LITERACY NOR ESL PROGRAM.! I wanted to get involved… and the closest to home was in Scarborough!!!!!!!!!!
This is all horrible. The Feds have talked about a federal daycare program. Right. They talk about investing in higher education. Good. But it is a matter of jurisdiction whether they can invest in literacy programs! Shame!

Anyways, I am getting overly emotional. Until I calm down… ;)