Shuhei Wada
Now days, information gap (digital divide,情報格差) is becoming a very big problem.
There are big differences between the person who can use a computer and who cannot use a computer. Especially in Japan, the computerization is proceeding and for me, I cannot live conveniently without computers. In the world, the computerization is proceeding amazingly fast.
There are 3 big problems in the computerising world.
1. economic matter
Put computers in public facilities
Distribute cheap computers as a volunteer
2. skill
Open the free lecture meeting
Learn it in school
3. physical matter
Guide for people who have handy cap by government
4. geographic matter
Infrastructure
In this post I would like to focus on the skill information gap.
In Japan, no mass media is broadcasting about the information gap but the information gap is very serious problem. There are big difference between people who can access to information and people who cannot access to information. For me, I cannot live freely without computer.
In our university, we have to use computer to check the HW and in our English class, we have to use computer. Information is also important in term of communication tool.
In japan, it is said that about 80% of people are using SNS to communicate with others. Communication, relationship with group is very important in Japan so if he/she couldn’t use internet, he/she might be out of the room. Information is also important in Japan. In Japan, emergency information about earthquake is sent to all mobile phone e-mails about 10 secunds~2minutes before it occur, automatically sent to all mobile phones so if he/she does not know how to use it might be very serious problem
This topic must be argued in the world.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/8568681.stm
http://itpro.nikkeibp.co.jp/article/COLUMN/20070115/258721/
I think this problem is very serious. When we learned about journalism, we thought whether The hard-copy newspapers would be doomed in the future. I think that this is also related to information gap, for, people who can use computers can get news via internet and people who cannot use them cannot get it.
ReplyDeleteKako Furukawa
I feel the information gap is the very familiar problem.
ReplyDeleteMy mother doesn’t have mobile phone or PC, so she cannot do a lot of things.
For example, she cannot enter a prize contest. (懸賞) She likes watching the movie free of charge, but recently, entering a prize contest needs mobile phone or PC that read the QR cord.
I see a lot of advertisement saying “kuwasiku ha web de”, these advertisement and CM increase the information gap.
Narumi Tsunashima
I agree that information gap is very serious problem, and it proceeds more and more.
ReplyDeleteThen, I have an interest thing in your article. That is information gap in our generation may expand from now on because some of us are good at using It facilities, but others aren't good at it.
For example, the people who use and are accustomed facebook can take an advantage of it in their job hunting. Recently, some companies adjust facebook to do recruiting, and they can receive benefit, but others can't.
I think we, younger, should pay attention to it.
Masashi Yamada
Who is it a problem for? Please identify the victims of the digital divide so we can think about this more specifically. There are always going to be gaps in the world - still lots of people have no toilets or showers in their homes or running water in some countries. And certain parts of countries, including Japan are isolated in other ways, not even related to computers. I agree that there is a digital divide, but I would guess it is mostly a matter of economics.
ReplyDeleteIf you give us some more information, we can continue to discuss.
Ms. MacGregor
Narumi's point is excellent - I too felt at a loss not having a cellphone, though I picked softbank and there are still lots of sites and services not available to me - digital discrimination!!
ReplyDeleteMs. MacGregor
Reply to Ms.MacGregor
ReplyDeleteIn this post, I am focusing on the people who can buy computer but do not have enough ability to use it. Especially in Japan, most of people have enough economic power to buy computer but there are so many people who cannot operate them effectively. Since the world is going to digital, this gap in people who can operate computer and who cannot would make big economic differentials.
Because the problem of people who cannot buy computer due to the economic matter is the clear problem, information gap in the skill of operating computer will be hidden in the shadow.
Shuhei Wada
Shuhei,
ReplyDeleteThanks for clarifying - now I get what you mean. I am wondering though about how to define "operate a computer effectively." I hope you will consider that when you rewrite your research paper.
Ms. MacGregor