Review #4 -- The Social Geography of Wireless Networks: When Does Constant Wireless Access become too Much?

This article by Laura Forlano, “WiFi Geographies: When Code Meets Place,” examines how wireless technologies, mainly WiFi, are shaping how society is beginning to view the physical spaces they occupy. Forlano states the study as “a yearlong empirical study of WiFi users, this article describes the way in which WiFi networks interact with broad socioeconomic trends to reorganize people, places and information” (p. 344). Wireless digital technologies are beginning to break down the public’s perception of what constitutes public and private spaces. Constant access to technology once only enjoyed in the home or office is allowing more flexibility in how we live our everyday lives.

Forlano examined places once only considered public in nature, examining how their inhabitants were now using the spaces. Coffee shops were a focus of the study. The author states, “when choosing between two coffee shops of similar characteristics and quality, 75% of respondents answered that they would choose one that provides WiFi access over one that does not, 20% say they might; and 5% said that WiFi would not be a factor” (p. 346). Society now expects constant access to wireless technologies; this is clear from these statistics. Patrons of these coffee shops are even beginning set up pseudo-office spaces within their walls. For freelance workers, this may be the cheapest solution in solving their technology needs. Forlano states, “In this way, the laptop computer and mobile devices themselves become the office” (p. 350).

Many would see this constant availability of wireless networks as a great benefit to society. For the most part, I would agree, but it also begs the question: When is it too much access? Within the Forlano article, she quotes R. Oldenburg and his article “The great good place: Cafes, coffee shops, community centers, beauty parlors, general stores, bars, hangouts and how they get you through the day” as he states: “third places – places that are neither home nor work – are necessary for the functioning of urban social life. At the same time, he fears that these third places are rapidly disappearing” (p. 345). Oldenburg sees these third places as essential to how society currently functions. The advent of constant access to wireless networks can produce a situation where these places essentially become the home or office in terms of how we use them. This makes every physical location essentially the same. This homogenous environment is something entirely new for society. Instant access to those we socialize with is now the norm. This may be a positive thing, but it also does not allow individuals to escape certain situations, such as work, as they were once allowed to before. This seems to be the fear that Oldenburg is focusing on. Having places for escape, or as he states “get[ting] you through the day,” is important for the human psyche. Wireless access seems to be hindering this type of mechanism.

This post is not written to somehow state we should cease all developments in wireless technologies; I personally love having the Internet constantly at my fingertips. It does introduce theories that usually are not readily being discussed by today’s technology hunger individuals. Society certainly functions much differently than it did merely a decade ago. As access increases at what sometime seems like exponential rates, we need to accommodate for this in how we live our lives. Oversaturation in these technologies could lead to some type of psychological effects we have not yet witnessed in society. Farlano states in her conclusion, “As our homes, offices, cities and spaces are increasing layered with digital information networks, it is vital that we develop new conceptual categories that integrate digital and physical spaces” (p. 351). These categories could become vital in how we structure our lives in the information age.

Forlano, F. (2009). WiFi Geographies: When Code Meets Place. Information Society 5(25), 344-352.

Review #3 -- Calculating the Digital Divide: The Positive and Negatives of the "Standard" Calculation

“Information Technology Use among Individuals in Rich and Poor countries: The Disappearing Divide” by Jeffrey James of Tilburg University (Netherlands), is an interesting examination of how the digital divide is numerically calculated and the changes in this calculation the author suggests. James looks at the non-weighted approach traditionally taken when addressing the divide. This weights each country equally, regardless of population, in calculating the disparity in information technology between developed and developing nations. James uses China and India as the central focus of his argument. The two most populace developing nations account for the same proportion as smaller developing countries, he finds this to skew the actual reality of the digital divide. Once each country’s population is accounted for, James finds the actual digital divide between individuals in developing and developed nations to be bit minimal, if not actually reversed.

James makes a fairly good point in his argument. It is certainly unfair to completely disregard the amount of individuals accessing IT within developing nations, but this does not mean his statements are not flawless. In terms of population, China and India are complete outliers in overall populations. Any government interactions to help close the digital divide in those nations will have an astounding effect on the proportion of individuals having access to the internet and mobile devices. This looks great from an individual social welfare standpoint, as it simply provides more individuals with access, but does little to help influence other developing nations to enact polices to help close the gap. What I am trying to state is that just because the same amounts of individuals have access to IT devices in developed and developing nations does not mean the digital divide is closed. A glut of users in China or India does not bring nations in Africa, as an example, closer to using available technology.

The author attempts to help alleviate this issue by comparing individual’s technology use in regions of the world, instead of just countries. James states, “Conventional measures of the digital divide assign the same weight to each country regardless of its population size. Yet from a welfare point of view it surely makes more sense to use size as a device to weight countries in rich and poor regions of the world. From then one derives for comparison than absolute number of Internet users and mobile phone subscribers in these two different parts of the world” (p. 321). By examining these issues regionally, this could provide a clearer picture of the prominence of the digital divide in certain areas around the globe. More importantly, this could stir action between neighboring countries to help create the infrastructure needed to implement these technologies. A more driven focus could be made to locate and then help those regions that are most affected by the widening gap. These theories could identify and provide numerical data to illustrate these issues in a global sense.

This article provides a nice prospective for my topic as it examines what calculations are used when examining the use of wireless technologies around the globe. James brings up many faults of the standard calculation. He attempts to put forth a more accurate system, but even his methods to do fully account for all aspects. A combination of both theories seems to provide the most holistic view. This seems plausible as little to no extra data needs to be taken to use both calculations.

James, J. (2009). Information technology use among individuals in rich and poor countries: The disappearing divide. Telematics and Informatics 26 (2009), 317-321.