The Digital Divide

Ten plus years ago when the Internet was fairly new, it was imagined that there would be a economic dividend from being strongly Internet connected.

There is no doubt that the Internet is creating a modern renaissance, just as the printing press did.

Web 2.0, which allows people to communicate in groups and to learn from each other. That's a revolution of possibility sitting on your desk top.

Yet there is strong and real resistance to the introduction of digital information. From a business point of view, discussion can take up your whole day. We do learn by talking to other people, but how do we retrain some control? Some people fear that there are no rules any more.

Particularly concerning is the fact that a significant number of people NEVER join online groups. Group joining is the key to how you learn anything on the Internet. Group joining is fundamental to online success.

Street Groups are an opportunity, to change that. In a Street Group, there is enormous social protection for new members. There is also ready access to the online skills of all the other members.

What being online and connected to many people can do for you is unknown.

Once you find a non-trivial activity, and a group of people doing useful things in a purposeful way, you realise that these people can offer you a lot, and that your small contribution is also appreciated.

The main barrier to creating a better future are the things we continue to believe that are not in fact valid.

Understanding how to use new technologies takes practice. Other people can teach you.

The world of volunteers is exciting, purposeful and completely authentic. But it's still an explorers world.