Defined in words, it is a gap between societies that have access to information technologies, and those societies who do not.
Easy right? One sentence. One meaning. Very straightforward.
What is more interesting though, is how many abstract meanings we can give it though images and art. What we really think when reading between the lines. We offer our assumptions and even stereotypes by the way we internalize it's definition, and hence relay it as a physical image. Are these forms of art helping bridge the divide by offering awareness? Or is it just the opposite, by potentially morphing people's views?
What does this image say to you? To me, it offers a stereotype of sorts. The communities that haven't reached the point of complete technological transgression are not still living in prehistoric times, and they're most developed tool isn't a log and a stick. I understand it connotes a sense of humor, but if this is our outlook, when will we see equality in the picture? And if other communities don't see us holding them in equal esteem, chances are they probably won't want our help.
This picture shows we are in the progress of bridging this divide. All forms of cultures, societies and communities are coming together to help close the gap. This gap is separating people and helping them hold assumptions, like the previous picture above. The gap, or divide, has been making progress but bridging the divide is a feat that is yet to be accomplished. This is a great image to exemplify if everyone puts in effort, we can unite all people.
What is more interesting though, is how many abstract meanings we can give it though images and art. What we really think when reading between the lines. We offer our assumptions and even stereotypes by the way we internalize it's definition, and hence relay it as a physical image. Are these forms of art helping bridge the divide by offering awareness? Or is it just the opposite, by potentially morphing people's views?
What does this image say to you? To me, it offers a stereotype of sorts. The communities that haven't reached the point of complete technological transgression are not still living in prehistoric times, and they're most developed tool isn't a log and a stick. I understand it connotes a sense of humor, but if this is our outlook, when will we see equality in the picture? And if other communities don't see us holding them in equal esteem, chances are they probably won't want our help.
This picture shows we are in the progress of bridging this divide. All forms of cultures, societies and communities are coming together to help close the gap. This gap is separating people and helping them hold assumptions, like the previous picture above. The gap, or divide, has been making progress but bridging the divide is a feat that is yet to be accomplished. This is a great image to exemplify if everyone puts in effort, we can unite all people.
This is one of the more abstract representations of the digital divide that I found. I believe it is showing how money is actually the motivating force helping other communities and societies that have yet to maintain stable technological progress. I think this image shows how we are using bit of manipulation in the process, that potentially is unnecessary. The ladder represents how the people will be able to make the jump in their own time, the more advanced communities (represented by the puppeteer) leave me wondering how much force we truly need to exert. You know the saying an image is worth a thousand words, so are we too afraid to verbalize the thousands of ideas we put into these pieces of art? Only time will tell.
This is a really fasinating post. These images definitely have a message and an agenda. They are seperating the "haves" from the "have nots".
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