IVIV (1) There Will be Computers for This

[kelber at mindspring.com]

Computers hold the promise of global democracy for those who have access to them, but what about those who don't?  More and more in the public schools (even in the lower grades) homework assignments assume access to a computer.  Sure, poor kids are told that they can go to the public library, or maybe there's an after-school program where they can get a half hour of computer time.  But the computer-based assignments make it pretty unlikely that these kids will get good enough grades to even pass.  Apply for college without a computer?  Not too likely.  Computers reinforce class divisions in the school system (and that's not even bringing "work" into it).

Laura

-----Original Message-----
>From: Joseph Tracy <brook7 at sover.net>

>
>The problem with computers has to do with the power structures the  
>machines reinforce and the ways that capital and finance( machinery  
>including IT) gives the edge to an ever shrinking (as a percentage)  
>and more powerful cartel of corporate power brokers who control 90  
>percent of the wealth.  Collusion between the government and its  
>agencies of control- police, military,and courts - and corporate  
>interests is most entrenched  and pronounced in  America, which is  
>where most IT started, but  China and other police states are taking  
>advantage of the surveillance potential so they don't have to squelch  
>the tech itself.  The tech is neutral and could be a powerful  
>democratizing force but is it really at this point?
>