SCN: Re: principles

[Randy Groves]

One of the things that has given me a bit of a boost recently is talking
with a new volunteer, John Traylor.  He has been working for some time
with the homeless - specifically finding out ways to provide shelter.  One
of the things that he would like to do is provide some sort of kiosk type
arrangement in the shelters, to provide the homeless with a way to
connect, both with e-mail and to browse the web, but also a way to connect
with voice mail and the other amenities that we who are not homeless
pretty much take for granted (and little do we know how slim that
advantage could be ...).

Partnering with John's group would be an excellent way for SCNA to pursue
some of our goals.  There are many possibilities here.  This is definitely
one way to push our principle of connectivity,

-randy


>
> Is SCN actually to be limited to seeing no farther than our elected officials?
> Do we really feel that, even in Seattle, the digital divide has been abolished?
> And in the unlikely even that we conclude that in this city (admittedly
> uncommonly successfuly in this respect) the strictly local problem has been
> solved, does that mean we shouldn't look at the problem in a broader context?
> Hell, if we think Seattle is a great example of conquering the digital divide,
> what do we do to evangelize the model and get it adopted elsewhere?
>
> In short, if we shift the focus briefly off of our own short-term operational
> concerns, and off of the concept that we have to make everything happen
> ourselves, rather than catalyzing, what can we best do to enhance access of
> the poor and otherwise disenfranchised to:
>
> 1) Access the internet as users
> 2) Place content on the internet
> 3) Use the internet as a means of mutual communication
> 4) Have a role in hepinp determine the future of the internet.
>
> This is not a simple issue, and it is so out of proportion to the question of
> day-to-day operations that I do not expect it to have immediate effects on
> everyday operations.  However, if we do not revisiti this kind of questions on
> these levels - especially if the Board does not - we are dooming ourselves to
> irrelevance in the long run.
>
> "Where there is no vision, people perish." - Proverbs 29:18.
>

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