The Digital Divide

The global digital divide is a real problem. There are many organizations and projects that are working toward ending this global problem. One such organization is Close the Gap, which works globally to match refurbished computers donated by corporations and organizations with people who need them, but can’t afford to buy them.1

Close the Gap partners with local effort such as Ecole Superieure Polytechnique Kaya in Burkina Faso. The goal of ESPK is to help train technicians and engineers in developing countries in Africa by providing computer access and training to those who cannot afford it.2 It is a small organization with only 72 computers, but it is through grassroots efforts like ESPK that global change can occur.2

There are many organizations working the bridge the digital divide here in the U.S. Engineers, scientists, and mathematicians donate their time to help with the middle school STEM programs offered through the organization: Citizen Schools. STEM majors require students to be technologically savvy, so Citizen schools provides training computer skills and makes tech equipment available.3 By quipping low-income middle school student with skills in technology, opportunities and careers will be open to them that would not have been otherwise.3

References.

1. Close the Gap. 2014. Who We Are. Retrieved from http://close-the-gap.org/

2. Close the Gap. 2014. Ecole Superieure Polytechnique Kaya. Retrieved from http://close-the-gap.org/projects/project-overview/ecole-superieure-polytechnique-kaya-espk/

3. Citizen Schools. Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) Education. Retrieved from http://www.citizenschools.org/about/education-reform/stem/

How Smartphone Apps are Changing Things for the Visually Impaired

Smartphone technology is opening up so many possibilities for visually impaired people. There are now many smartphone applications available that help make life easier and more enjoyable for these people. I am going to touch on a few of these apps and their importance jobs.

Apple is responsible for developing the screen-reader app VoiceOver. This app helps visually impaired people by changing the way the iPhone is operated. Instead of precise taps and clicks, users can swipe around the screen and have it described audibly, and can flick from app to app with ease.1 Android makes a similar application called Talk Back.  

The KNFB Reader for iPhone allows users to snap photos of print and reads it out loud.2 This app also can translate the print into Braille when hooked up to a refreshable Braille display.2 Similarly LookTel Money Reader uses the camera to identify the denominations of paper money.1 Blio, a Google app, uses KNFB Reading technology to read books out loud.1

There are several exciting apps and devices in development to help the visually impaired. One of them is being made by the South Korean startup company, Dot, and consists of a device that is strapped to the wrist and uses magnets to translate smartphone text into a braille.3 There has also been talk about the development of a Braille smartphone.4

References:

1. Blass, Eileen. USA Today. 2013. Screen Readers for Blind Make Smartphones Easy to Use. Retrieved from http://www.usatoday.com/story/tech/2013/06/02/smartphone-accessibility-for-the-blind/2373611/

2. Reuters. 2014. New Smartphone App Gives 'Sight' to the Blind. In: Voice of America. Retrieved from http://www.voanews.com/content/reu-new-app-gives-sight-to-the-blind/2458313.html

3. Greenberg A (2015) This New Watch Lets Blind People Read Real-Time Smartphone Data in Braille. In: Time. Retrieved from http://time.com/3983375/smartwatch-blind-dot-braille/. 2015

4. Strauss, Karsten. 2013. Breakthrough Braille Smartphones For The Blind. In: Forbes. Retrieved from http://www.forbes.com/sites/karstenstrauss/2013/04/24/breakthrough-braille-smartphones-for-the-blind/

It Wasn’t Fair

In 2012 Lindsey Stone posted a photo on her personal Facebook page, and it ended up costing her her job. The photo was taken while she was in Washington D.C. for business and was visiting the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. Her co-worker took the photo as Lindsey stood in front of a sign reading: ‘Silence and Respect.’ Lindsey was holding one hand next to her mouth as if she was yelling while she gave the middle finger with her other hand.2

Shortly after posting the photo, thousands of people reacted in outrage at the alleged insult against U.S. veterans. People started to write on her employer’s Facebook page, and a petition circled the internet calling for her to be fired. Lindsey and her co-worker responded with an apology, “It was meant merely as a visual pun, intending to depict the exact opposite of what the sign said, and had absolutely nothing to do with the location it was taken or the people represented there. We never meant to cause any harm or disrespect to anyone.”2 Unfortunately for Lindsey and her co-worker, her employer listened to the public outcry and fired them.1

In my opinion this is an example of worst aspect of the social media era. While I think the photo was in poor taste, it was not a fireable offense. The problem is that there will always be masses of people that enjoy seeing the downfall of others. These people should not be the ruling authority in the life-altering matters of others they have never met. Everyone makes mistakes, and as more people spend more time interacting online, these mistakes are permanently documented. Yes, I believe we should all think very carefully about everything we post online, but a misstep should not end in crucifixion.

References:

1. Barrie, J. (2015, March 9). This woman's life was destroyed after she posted one dumb photo on Facebook. Retrieved August 17, 2015, from http://www.businessinsider.com/lindsey-stone--so-youve-been-publicly-shamed?r=UK&IR=T

2. CBS Boston. (2012, November 20). Facebook Photo Of Plymouth Woman At Tomb Of The Unknowns Sparks Outrage. Retrieved August 17, 2015 from http://boston.cbslocal.com/2012/11/20/facebook-photo-of-plymouth-woman-at-tomb-of-the-unknowns-sparks-outrage/

Social Media and the Arab Spring

Tunisia, Egypt, Yemen, Libya, and Syria all experienced political uprisings in the spring of 2011, a period that became known as The Arab Spring. This revolutionary event has also been called “The Blogger’s Revolution,” because of the reported role that social media and the internet had in triggering and propagating it.

Philip N. Howard from University of Washington led an in depth study that analysed millions of tweets, Facebook statuses, blog posts, viral Youtube videos and other online sources that may have influenced the political events. His team was able to show through keyword tracking the correlation between online expression and revolutionary activity. “We find that conversations about liberty, democracy, and revolution on blogs and on Twitter often immediately preceded mass protests,”1 said Howard. The resignation of Ben Ali, president of Tunisia, occurred after a spike in criticism in the blogosphere. ‘Revolution’ then dominated online posts, which resulted in a rally of 100,000 people that ended up ousting the remainder of Ben Ali’s administration. All government efforts to control online content was quickly circumvented by the young, tech-savvy populations.

“Technologies have helped people interested in democracy build extensive networks, create social capital, and organize political action,”1 said Howard. “Technology may not have created the desire for political freedom, but it is a tool democracy advocates have used to their advantage.”1

References:

Philip N. Howard, Aiden Duffy, Deen Freelon, Muzammil Hussain, Will Mari, Marwa Mazaid. 2011. University of Washington. Opening Closed Regimes, What Was the Role of Social Media During the Arab Spring? Retrieved from: http://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=2595096