LA Times believes free Wi-Fi will hurt poor people
This is a real Los Angeles Times headline:
“Wi-Fi, strings attached, A wireless L.A. could prove to be a disconnect, leaving the poor and public spirit behind”
Barring San Francisco only a writer for the Times could position the reduction of the price of broadband to free to be harmful to poor people. Poor people, by definition, don’t have money, so free is good. The writer notes:
“But free wireless service doesn’t mean a whole lot if you can’t afford a laptop.”
By that logic free, over-the-air broadcast TV doesn’t mean a whole lot if you can’t afford a television. However, despite the fact 13% of the U.S. population lives in poverty, a low estimate of TV penetration into households is 95%. Yes, poor people are able to buy TVs, in part because what runs on them is free. The reality is that most poor people could probably come up with $300 for a decent used laptop if they were interested in it–especially if the connectivity was free. Motivated poor people would opt to acquire a laptop over a TV but that’s an element of choice.
What really bothers me is the Times’ approach is jamming issue of the poor into the debate. Since they are so principled, why should they just stop at Wi-Fi? Why not include it in all of their stories. For example…
NBA slaps Laker Coach Phil Jackson with $50,000 fine; this is more money than most poor people will ever see
Stolen Civil War docs sold on eBay, feds say; Poor people not involved since the digital divide keeps them off eBay
NCAA March Madness Starts tonight with UCLA favored; poor people unable to buy tickets or attend UCLA are disenfranchised
Harry Potter Book Sells 12 Million; not a single copy purchased by a poor person
Note to our Orange County stringer whose site has not been accepting comments lately and is almost certain to disagree with the tone of this post: Before you get on your high-horse and leave pissy comments just remember that your blog is effectively off-limits to poor people as well. You are as much of the digital divide as “W” himself.
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March 16th, 2007 at 5:40 am
I posted a lengthy rambling tome on your post but I think the trackback got eaten by long haired leaping gnomes. Either that, or the LA Times paid you guys off to shut me up.