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SAVE THE INTERNET, SAVE THE WORLD

Sheldon Mains

You work in a nonprofit. By definition, your to-do list includes a lot of important things you need to get done, right now. It probably includes more important things than you have time to do. So, why would you be interested in the debate about getting broadband Internet access to under-served communities? Why should you be interested in esoteric issues like "net-neutrality?

Simply put, in the last 15 years, the Internet has become a necessity for participating in our society -- and in most cases, high speed Internet has become a necessity.

If you care about your clients, if you care about your community, you need to care about the Internet.

Interested in continuing the discussion? Join Sheldon on our Community Call about Broadband Access on August 26th.

ONE WEB. FOR ALL.

Nathaniel James, OneWebDay

OneWebDay is a global event celebrated every September 22 since 2006. It provides an opportunity for communities to celebrate the power of the Web for positive change, to take action to protect what they value most about it, and to educate the public and policy-makers on the social, economic, and political impact of the Web.

This year's theme -- One Web. For All. -- is all about digital inclusion, digital literacy, and working to close the many digital divides we face in our global society. Access to a fast, affordable, and open Internet is essential for every child in school, every entrepreneur with a new idea, and anyone who wants full access to government and the democratic process.

To find out how you can contribute, keep reading.

Ask Nathaniel James your questions about digital inclusion at our next Ask the Expert session.

THE SHRINKING GENERATIONAL DIGITAL DIVIDE

Sami Hassanyeh, AARP

The gap between older and younger digital users is rapidly diminishing, especially as boomers explore the vast array of uses for the Internet.

A recent study by the Center for the Digital Future, in conjunction with AARP, revealed that 41 to 46 percent of Internet users, spanning all age ranges, cited the Internet as "important or very important" in maintaining social relationships.

The same study showed that among older Internet users who are members of online communities, 58 percent log in to their communities one or more times daily, compared to 47 percent of community members under 20. Additionally, 70 percent of the older users rated their communities as very important or extremely important, compared to 58 percent of younger users.

WHAT THE BUSINESS SECTOR CAN LEARN FROM NONPROFITS

Allyson Kapin, Rad Campaign

I live in a world full of progressives.

My business partner at Rad Campaign, who also happens to be my husband, is a progressive. The consultants I work with are progressive. I even organize conferences and events like the Women Who Tech TeleSummit that have a progressive slant.

So, when I survey the mainstream tech and social media conference circuit and see on average that only a dismal 10% to 20% of panel presenters are women, it shocks me. Why? Because I come from the nonprofit world, where women and men are both valued and seen as rock stars in their roles spearheading online communications programs in online advocacy, online fundraising and social media.

THE DIGITAL DIVIDE DOESN'T EXIST

Brett Meyer, NTEN

The digital divide doesn't exist.

It's the definite article that causes problems, implying there's an easy way to think about the issues surrounding the inequitable access to technology -- and perhaps an easy solution. We can just bridge the gap, right?

But anybody who's seen Cloverfield or I Am Legend knows what happens when a mass of people tries to cross a bridge to escape a bad situation: a bottleneck forms, infighting destroys group solidarity, and then something unforeseen destroys the bridge. (Or, less monster-centric, we may simply lack the requisite know-how to build a bridge that works.)

THINGS WE LIKE

1. Patience pants.
2. If we learn more from success than failure, what does that say about failing informatively?
3. Speaking of which, here are "Ten Practical Tips for Facebook Fan Pages". Now get out there and try to succeed!
4. Know somebody who texts while driving? You need to send them this.
5. Pearl Jam. The online contest they ran recently, hiding pieces of their new album cover on different sites around the Internet, ought to give you some ideas.
6. It's only a matter of time before the robots can beat us at ping pong. But will they ever be able to appreciate bacon cupcakes? Or make a movie about their coming world domination better than Terminator Salvation? (Answers: "Probably not, but we wouldn't bet against them at this point." and "Who couldn't?")
7. If robots make you hyperventilate, you can relax with Simon's Cat -- until you start laughing hysterically.
8. And, if watching funny videos on the Interwebs during work hours makes you feel guilty, you should volunteer for Mozilla Service Day.
9. Best. Flowchart. Ever.
10. Information is Beautiful has some nifty visualizations of Twitter. And Danah Boyd strikes down upon those who would attempt to poison and destroy the twitterverse.
11. You. Thanks for making our staff retreat possible.
12. In fact, you deserve a bonus cat video.

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