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Wide gaps in economic and educational opportunity have
existed in this nation for generations and will continue for generations
more. Because of those disparities, large technological gaps have developed as well.
It is time to stop focusing so intensively on the
technology divide, for the real differences we should seek to narrow are
America's core social divides: the grave disparities in economic
opportunity, education, health, safety, housing, employment, and even
transportation. No easy ways exist to eliminate these social disparities;
if easy answers were available, the disparities would be significantly
smaller than they are today. But without question, technology could do far
more to help. New technologies, applied in targeted ways, can make
individual and group efforts to narrow social divides far more effective.
"The best computer access in the world won't get you into
[college] if you can't read and write. And while thousands of
programming positions are available on-line, they'll probably go
to somebody else if you don't have the resources to set up your
childcare, a decent suit of clothes, and a ride to the interview.
Technology really hasn't changed the fundamental rules of the game
very much. . . . The digital divide is real, but it's hardly the
most serious divide for Americans seeking a better life for
themselves and their families."
-Josh Senyak and Albert Fong,
nonprofit technology consultants, writing
for TechSoup.org
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