Mission Statement: This blog was created to connect people through digital media and to show how different generations can experience new media differently. New media meaning technology such as: Television, the computer, the cell phone, the internet, Facebook, etc. This blog was also created to raise awareness about places that don't have the access we do. Here you can learn about programs that are trying to provide technology in underdeveloped countries. Organizations such as, One Laptop Per Child. So we mustn't take our the access we have for granted. We need to realize there are people all over the world who would probably like to experience technology the way do. Here you can find links for Computer Tech support, a cell phone help forum, Top 100 TV shows and many more things. I hope you have a good experience with the Digital Divide: The Generation to Generation Experience.

What is the Digital Divide?

The Digital Divide is a bridge between people with access and people without access to the newest forms of technology. The digital divide is based on gender, race, culture, location, age, and economic status.

Who has Access & Who Doesn't?

It is very important that we don't take technology for granted. If you have decided to live without major media or can't get enough of it good for you. What if you had to live without technology? I am just saying we need to appreciate what we have. I wonder how people in underdeveloped countries would react to the amount of access and information we have? If they would like it or hate it? The point is that they should have the option to choose how they interact with technology.

Monday, May 3, 2010

Internet Users & Mobile Phone Subscribers Around the World

One Laptop Per Child



This is a non-profit organization which brings laptops to children all over the world. The mission statement of One Laptop Per Child is as follows: "To create educational opportunities for the world's poorest children by providing each child with a rugged, low-cost, low-power, connected laptop with content and software designed for collaborative, joyful, self-empowered learning. When children have access to this type of tool they get engaged in their own education. They learn, share, create, and collaborate. They become connected to each other, to the world and to a brighter future."

The Global Digital Divide

20 Year Old Perspective on Media - NICK @ NITE

Name: Paula Creary         Age: 21

1.    What fors of media do you use? (i.e. TV, computer, internet, iPhone, iTouch, iPod, etc.) I use a blackberry, television, radio, computer, iPod, internet, and sometimes newspapers.
 2.    Does “the media” influence your life? If so in what way? (i.e. my job, my relationships)  No it doesn’t. There are times when I feel the need to be what the media is advertising and displaying what women my age should be doing. Overall I try to stick true to who I am.
3.    Can you imagine your life without the following: TV, the internet, cell phones  No. I cannot image what my life would be like without the following. In order for me to keep in touch with love ones all over I need this technology to bring me closer to them.
4.    Do you think age effect your understanding of media? If so how? Yes, I believe so. If you want to learn something you can learn it.
5.    Can you imagine living in a country without having access to media ( internet, television, the computer, etc.)   No I can’t image that.

TV
1.    Did you grow up the TV? If, so how has the television influenced your life?   Yes I did. I grew up watching Nickelodeon and Nick at Nite shows.
2.    Do you watch TV? Why? If not, why? If so how much?   Occasionally, I like watching MTV’s 16 and pregnant, cartoon shows, and Comedy Central.
3.    What about television do you like? Why? I love watching the advertisements and cartoons because the messages that seem unreal are most entertaining to me.
4.    What about television do you dislike? Why? How the TV has the power to make me sit there and watch a complete show leaving me with the want to see more.
5.    What are your favorite shows?   
Chowder, South Park, Family Guy, Modern Family, 16 and Pregnant, History Channel, and Discovery Channel.
6.    Why do you like those shows? They all have something that I enjoy looking at, some of it is comedy, educational, and real.
7.    Do you think television is too dominated in determining society? Yes I do believe that.
8.    If you didn’t or don’t watch television why? And was it your own decision?  When I choose not to watch TV I know it will waste my time when I can be doing something more productive. Yes it is always my own decision.

Computer/Internet
1.    Did you grow up with the computer and the internet? Yes, since I was 4 there was a computer in my house and at my school.
2.    What do you mostly use the computer for (i.e. academic purposes, business purposes, personal purposes (email), etc.): Academic purposes, creative purposes (photoshop, video editing, etc.), e-mail, social networking with people all over the world.
3.    What websites do you use visit most often? Facebook, Twitter, Interpals Penpals, gmail, google, and tumblr.
4.    What are the reasons behind your usage of those websites? I use these websites to connect with people I would never meet walking down the street.
5.  Do You Use Facebook? Yes.  
        a.    Why?  It keeps me connected to family members (the ones I know and some I have not met yet)   
        b.    For What? To socialize and see what is going on in the lives of other people (their photos, status, etc.)   
6.    Do you feel your privacy is safe when using the internet?  No, I do not feel like it is safe.

Print Media
1.    Do you read the newspaper? If so how (online, print, iPhone/iTouch)? Yes, I read the actually paper or I read articles online.
      a.    Why do you prefer that method?  I like it online because  it is free and I am not wasting paper.   

2.    Do you read books? If so how (print or electronically)?  Yes, I read it in print.   
      a.    Why do you prefer that method? Books last a while and my eyes could only stare at a computer screen for so long.
3.    Can you imagine a world without newspapers and books in print? NEVER!

Blogging
1.    Do you know what blogging is?  Yes.
2.    Do you blog? If so why?  Sometimes just to put what’s on my mind out onto the web to see if anyone can connect with what I believe/think.   
3.    What is beneficial about blogs or blogging?  You can find out about things before they become popular. And reviews that you can see can be beneficial if you are interested in purchasing a particular product.

School/Job
1.    Job Status (i.e. working, student, retired etc.)  Student at Manhattanville College.   
2.    If you have a job (whether you are a student or not) does the media help or influence your job? If yes, how? Some of the flyers I design my inspiration comes from what I see in the media.   
3.    If you are a student, what media do you use? Primarily it is the internet and my cell phone.
            a.    Does the media you use to enhance your academic experience? If so how?  Yes, I use it to create PowerPoint and stream videos for the class to watch that relate to whatever topic we are discussing about.

30 Year Old Perspective on Media - I am an Addict, A TV Addict!

Name: Katie Rosin-Green   Age: 34

1. What forms of media do you use?  ALL: TV addict, computer, internet, iPhone
2. Does “the media” influence your life? If so in what way? (i.e. my job, my relationships) The media is very important to my life, as I work in the media as a publicist. I am constantly reading up on changes in the media, new blogs, how to utilize twitter/facebook and constant shifting my activities.
3. Can you imagine your life without the following: TV, the internet, cell phones... UM NO!!!!
4. Do you think age effect your understanding of media? If so how? I believe I am somewhere in between the generation that really knows how to use media and the neophytes. I'm lucky because I have a keen sense of what I am doing with technology, but I believe I'm unique.

TV
1. Did you grow up the TV? If, so how has the television influenced your life? I did not grow up with TV. It was highly regulated in my house. But I'm addicted now!! I even watch HULU on my computer.
2. Do you watch TV? Why? If not, why? If so how much? At least 2 hours a day.
3. What about television do you like? Why? I love GLEE (watching it right now), Lost, 24, Brothers & Sisters... well basically anything which provides me an escape from my daily life.
4. What about television do you dislike? Why? I hate commercials, especially when my son is watching.
5. Do you think television is too dominated in determining society? Well, I can't believe reality stars are famous. I can't believe Kim Kardashian is writing a memoir--what has she done with her life?
6. If you didn’t or don’t watch television why? And was it your own decision? When I was younger I didn't but that was not my choice.

Computer/Internet
1. Did you grow up with the computer and the internet? I didn't. I didn't even have email until my senior year in college.
2. What do you use the computer for? I use the computer constantly for work.
3. What websites do you use visit most often? CNN.com, GOOGLE.com
4. What are the reasons behind your usage of those websites? News and search -- both for work. I'm a Google addict, I use gmail for my email and Google docs for work.
5. Do you use Facebook?
            a. Why? I love facebook--I use it to promote my shows, and to keep up with my friends
            b. For What?  I am just starting to use facebook for ads.
6. Do you feel your privacy is safe when using the internet? Unsure...not on facebook--it is certainly not private. I worry about my kids photos being out there!

Print Media
1. Do you read the newspaper? If so how? I read the weekend TIMES--paper. Otherwise, I get my news from the radio or CNN.com.
2. Do you read books? If so how (print or electronically)? The last book I read was on the kindle.
         a. Why do you prefer that method? I loved the ease of use and that it was always around me -- I could read five minutes when I had a moment.
3. Can you imagine a world without newspapers and books in print? Yes, the kindle and iPad will take over!

Blogging
1. Do you know what blogging is? YES
2. Do you blog? If so why? My website is a blog, but not the typical blog. It doesn't speak in the first person. But my Neighborbee blog is! I write a parenting column.
3. What is beneficial about blogs or blogging? I do think blogging helps spread word-of-mouth. If you read a blogger regularly, it is like hearing news from a friend.

School/Job:
1. Job Status (i.e. working, student, retired etc.) Work
2. What do you do? Publicist/Marketer
3. Does the media help or influence your job? If yes, how? YES--I need the media for my work as a PR (Public Relations) and Marketing/Advertising.

Changes in the Media
1. Is there something you wish you change about any medium? If so what? I wish the internet was faster. I wish that messaging wasn't so cloudy. Its very hard to get a message across now, because there are so many other "noises" in the way.
2. Is there something you wish you understood more about the media? What compels one person to be interested in different types of media.
3. Do you have any questions about a certain media or the media you wish you had answered? I wish I could understand Twitter better. I use it but not effectively

40 Year Old Perspective On Media - Ebay All The Way!

 Name:     Deborah Cracovia                  Age: 46
1.    What forms of media do you use? (i.e. TV, computer, internet, iPhone, iTouch, iPod, etc.) : TV, internet, computer, Cell Phone, Facebook, & blogger
2.    Does “the media” influence your life? If so in what way? (i.e. my job, my relationships) Yes, media influence my day in many ways with decisions I make.   
3.     Can you imagine your life without the following: TV, the internet, cell phone? Yes, but it would not be fun.    
4.    Do you think age affects your understanding of media? If so how? No not really my generations was really the first to get PCs and stuff.  I grew up with them.   
5.    Can you imagine living in a country without having access to media (internet, television, the computer, etc.) No, I love my Facebook and TV shows.   

TV
1.    Did you grow up the TV? If, so how has the television influenced your life? Yes I grew up with TV and I find it informative and entertaining.   
2.    Do you watch TV? Why? If not, why? If so how much? Yes I watch TV.  It’s a great time to unwind after a long day.  There are also a lot of great shows to watch that are educational. I watch Antiques Roadshow, NOVA and many shows on PBS and the History Channel.
3.    What about television do you like? Why?  It’s a great escape.   
4.    What about television do you dislike? Why?   The commercials.   
5.    What are your favorite shows? The Tudors, True Blood, American Idol and Castle.   
6.    Why do you like those shows?  For the story and entertainment.   
7.    Do you think television and the media is too dominating in determining society norms?  Good question.  Yes and No.  Yes for the youth that is looking to fit in and No for  a well adjusted adult. 
  
Computer/Internet
1.    Did you grow up with the computer and the internet? Yes, we were the first generation to have a PC.   
2.    What do you mostly use the computer for (i.e. academic purposes, business purposes, personal purposes (email), etc.) Business and personal use.   
3.    What websites do you use visit most often?  Ebay, Facebook, Auctiva, Paypal, Princessplacegifts.com, Princessplacegifts.webs.com & goggle search   
4.    What are the reasons behind your usage of those websites?  Business and personal   
5.    Do you use Facebook? Yes
                    a.    Why?  Love the games and net working abilities   
                    b.    For What? Playing games and promoting my web store   
6.    Do you feel your privacy is safe when using the internet?  No   

Print Media
1.    Do you read the newspaper? If so how (online, print, iPhone/iTouch)? On line and still in print   
               a.    Why do you prefer that method? In print I like the feel of paper.    
2.    Do you read books? If so how (print or electronically)? Print   
               a.    Why do you prefer that method? Just what I grew up.   
3.    Can you imagine a world without newspapers and books in print? No, what would happen if we lost all of our power and there was no electricity to run things?   

Blogging
1.    Do you know what blogging is? Yes  
2.    Do you blog? If so why?  Yes, for business   
3.    What is beneficial about blogs or blogging? Keep my customers up to date on the latest trends   

School/Job:
1.    Job Status (i.e. working, student, retired etc.) Work from home   
2.    What do you do? Own a small business   
3.    Does the media help or influence your job? If yes, how? Yes is it my business. 

Changes in the Media
1.    Is there something you wish you could change about any medium? If so what?  It changes to fast and nothing is compatible it’s all very disposable.   
2.    Is there something you wish you understood more about the media?  Hyperlinks, spiders, and internet net working.   
3.    Do you have any questions about a certain media or the media you wish you had answered? No, I can find all of the info. Either at a book store or online. 

50 Year Old Perspective On Media - "Blackberries are something I eat."

Name: Mary Alice Hohenberger      Age: 56

  1. What forms of media do you use? (i.e. TV, computer, internet, iPhone, iTouch, iPod, etc.) Lap top, occasional radio (public), NY Times on line.
  2. Does “the media” influence your life? If so in what way? (i.e. my job, my relationships) Of course, which is why I limit it. The media is paid for by advertisers, the advertisers control us by planting seeds of fear and self doubt. %  minutes in front of a TV with a magazine and my self esteem plummets as well as my belief in a future.
  3. Can you imagine your life without the following: TV, the internet, cell phones: Not with out my cell and my computer, where once we had culture driven technology we now have technology driven culture. TV is a different story. I love the TV free life.
  4.  Do you think age affects your understanding of media? If so how? Hell yes! I am behind the media 8 ball - blackberries are something I eat!
  5.  Can you imagine living in a country without having access to media ( internet, television, the computer, etc.) I dream about it- it’s a recurring fantasy. In places where there is little or no media cultures are individual and rich in many ways.
TV
  1. Did you grow up the TV? It got popular when I was a child.
  2. If, so how has the television influenced your life? When I young was it made me believe in a system of false values. I measured myself and my family and our lives against what I saw on TV- everything came up short. I believed if I bought toothpaste I would have love, if I bought Noxema I would be beautiful and that if I didn’t use Head and Shoulders shampoo people would talk about me behind my back.
  3. Do you watch TV? NO Why? If not, why? For the reasons stated above, also because I know how easy it is to numb out in front of a TV, how hours just melt. It takes us out of our own lives- we can begin to feel like the TV faces are our friends. If so how much? 1 hour every few months but very often a lot less, often none for years on end.
  4. What about television do you like? Sometimes there is a special documentary on then I will seek out a TV, or sometimes someone interesting will be on Oprah, then I have a guilty pleasure at a friends. Why? I am in control of what I see, how long I watch.
  5. What about television do you dislike? Commercials, especially drug advertisements. The quick sound bites the noise the fear mongering.
  6.  Why? The commercials make natural life seem like a disease the news creates fear out of everything and it is destroying the imaginations of our children and taking away their ability to concentrate. It makes them want food and toys that are worthless and often harmful.
  7. What are your favorite shows? N/A
  8. Why do you like those shows? N/A
  9. Do you think television and the media is too dominating in determining society norms? ABSOLUTELY
  10.  If you didn’t or don’t watch television why? It robs us of our lives, and hampers the development of us thinking our own thoughts. And was it your own decision? YES!

 Computer/Internet

  1. Did you grow up with the computer and the internet? No, I was grown when they came along.
  2. What do you mostly use the computer for (i.e. academic purposes, business purposes, personal purposes (email), etc.) Email, occasional news, writing and business.
  3. What websites do you use visit most often? NYT online, Indeed.
  4.  What are the reasons behind your usage of those websites? News and jobs
  5. Do you use Facebook? No
  6. Do you feel your privacy is safe when using the internet? We have no privacy any more, the internet is only one of the ways we gave it up.
Print Media
  1.  Do you read the newspaper? I peek at the front page to see if anything big (911, or a quake, a war, a natural disaster or an assassination) has taken place while I was dreaming. If so how (online, print, iPhone/iTouch)? Online.
  2. Why do you prefer that method? Ecological
  3.  Do you read books? Yes!
  4. If so how (print or electronically)? Print
  5. Why do you prefer that method? It is solid, a good book carries the energy of the writer and all its readers in its pages, I like the feel and the smell and the ability to flip through them, mark them love them and pass them on.
  6. Can you imagine a world without newspapers and books in print? Yes and it breaks my heart. 
Blogging
  1. Do you know what blogging is? Yes
  2. Do you blog? No  
  3. What is beneficial about blogs or blogging? I have not quite figured that out.
School/Job:
  1.  Job Status (i.e. working, student, retired etc.) Unemployed in my old career, building my second career.
  2.  What do you do? I was in the corporate world for 25 years as a trainer. Now I am a counselor.
  3. Does the media help or influence your job? Yes, If yes, how? It makes people feel bad then they come to me for counseling and I help them get their heads back on.
Changes in the Media
  1. Is there something you wish you change about any medium? Newspapers used to deliver news; who what where, how and why. Although they were always biased a bit it was never as blatant as it is no. If so what? Clear information- with the editorial commentary on the editorial pages.
  2. Is there something you wish you understood more about the media? Why we let this happen. We are all so suckered in by it, we all are!