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>what will heavy use of this >type of medium do to >our community
It depends on what it's used for. But at the very least, it can promote computer literacy and typing. Knowing those 2 basic things, brings folks back from the negative.
>Computers are a necessity for the >most part >But the internet is not yet >a necessity for the average >citizen
Personally, I think it's a lot like a cell phone. You don't need one, but when you have it, you realize how useful it is. (I"m cell phone free, though)
>I think that part of the >resistance to computers (in general) >and the internet specifically is >the fact that they are >such a solitary mediums and >we are community/group minded people.
That might be plausible, but seemlingly black folks take to any technological invention within their means. PSX, Video games, Cellulars, TV's, DVD's, 2 way pagers,...IE, I see the net more like the next gadget and not a social experiment.
>Most people don't roam the >net in groups, its an >individual pursuit.
I would say that we as Af. Americans don't always operate in groups as a choice. But that's a diff convo for a different time.
That's why its >a nest for freaks, geeks, >& nerds...that's why even these >loners sought out communities - >some type of human interaction.
I'll go with that.
>Currently, the most popular aspects >of the net involve actions >cloaked in secrecy (the sex >biz), community groups (chat/forums), or >delivery of specific services (amazon >books).
The killer app for the net is e-mail. Everything else comes in a distant 2nd.
>I disagree with the idea that >being wired up is somehow >tied in with the intellectual >capacity of the enduser.
Me too. But it has been suggested by various folks in different places that I have been. Am I, online since 93, the anomaly, or the norm?
You >don't have to be smart >to be online -
ain't that the truth..
anymore >than you have to be >smart to drive a car >or use a phone. Frankly, >a lot of what happens >in this medium is silly >& frivilous - another type >of television, another dumb talk >show, another dirty magazine.
>From what I see the most >important part of the internet >is quicker access to some >critical information, quicker ways to >connect for groups of people >to connect. But even these >positives can be negatives if >not done right.
I would rather have my folks have to deal with discretion over those matters, as opposed to not having the decision to make.
Coming back >from a 4 day vacation, >I had over 100 emails >to sift thru, and out >of the relatively handful that >were important, I still needed >to email back & forth >and make a phone call >& give verbal confirm.
Hopefully that will end on the business side of things.
The >dot com businesses are in >trouble now because too many >of them weren't really necessary >- it was all smoke >& mirrors, same ole business, >new clothes to dress it >in.
Some of the dot.coms weren't even businesses.
>I think Black people aren't online >as much because many of >us don't feel we need >to be ..we can get >things done without it.
No doubt. But this is not like choosing between a ferrari and a bus, it's more like an old car from the 60's and one from 2K.
>To be honest. so could >most people - that's why >companies are limiting internet use.
It "kills" productivity? If I wasn't online, I'd be wasting time doing something else. (I actually wouldn't have this job were it not for the net).
>Then we have concerns about >the government tracking our movements >- a fear that's based >on a very real foundation.
Tech solutions, and social hacks can stop that. But I feel you on it. But is this an actual concern of folks you know?
> And on top of >it, the computer is a >tool of a the solitary >- it hasn't been developed >to a point where it >can be a gathering place >- like the tv. though >that's coming. I think >we're more hesistant to adjust >ourselves to that solitary mentality >required to be a ...and >maybe rightly so.
Interesting, I'm not sure I can go with the solitary vs community argument though
peace k. orr
http://breddanansi.tumblr.com/
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