Working more intimately with computer technology these past few months than at times I have wanted or enjoyed I wondered what it all might mean to the "average jane or joe" (whatever that might be). Yochai Benkler's The Wealth of Networks discussion about how the phenomenon of "social production' is reshaping markets also got me wondering exactly whose markets are being reshaped?
Only if you participate are you directly effected by the technological achievements and the "new" information economy. What if you are unable to participate either because you do not possess the knowledge, the talent, the time, the resources, the money does it profit you in any direct way?
What do you do if you find yourself at a disadvantage because of your geographical location or your gender or your religion or "state of mind". How does the new social production found on the Internet give you the promised equality and freedom to follow your bliss?
I think the "average jane and joe" have their plate full just trying to keep an income that they don't have the time to exercise their responsibilities as citizens of any global economy found on the Internet.
Personally, I am grudgingly enjoying learning html and css to put together a portfolio, however I also have an idea of what technology, computers, the Internet may mean to someone who looks on all these techno-miracles as just something else that points to their "differences". Sort of like the Neanderthal vs Homo sapien. Hummm? I guess I better figure this portfolio thing out....
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