Home Broadband 2010

Smith, Aaron. "Home Broadband 2010." Pew Internet. Pew American Life Project, 11 Aug.
         2010. Web. 30 Sept. 2011. <http://www.diigo.com/bookmark/http%3A%2F%2F
         pewinternet.org%2FReports%2F2010%2FHome-Broadband-2010%2FSummary-
        of-Findings.aspx%3Fview%3Dall?tab=people&uname=rrodrigo>.


The main point of this article is that broadband use did not increase much among American adults during the period from 2009 to 2010. What's surprising is that many surveyed do not see this as a huge problem-- those who have slow internet or no internet at all just are plagued with that problem, and it's not the government's job to provide public assistance to ensure everyone has the same access. 


What is interesting to me is that this piece cites so many reasons why people should have access to broadband internet, including job postings, heath information, government services, and news. I think many people feel that there are other ways to get this information. For example, you can check newspapers for job ads, get health information from the health department, and read the newspaper for your news. The problem is, those who have broadband internet have more access to these types of media, and it creates an unfair playing field when they are compared to those who don't. For example, I know that the majority of jobs are not posted in newspapers, but rather on online job boards. Many people see having the internet as a luxury, even today. A lot of people look at it like having cable or a satellite dish-- It's nice to have it, everyone else has it, but you don't have to have it to survive. 


What confuses me and makes me want to know more is the fact that the article states that 43% of American feel that having broadband is a "major disadvantage" when searching for a job. This is absolutely true-- It's a huge disadvantage. Why, then, is there not more backing for government funding of increased access to broadband? Those who can't afford Internet clearly don't have jobs that make them enough money to afford this, and most Americans admit that those who need jobs probably can't find one if they don't have the Internet. This seems like major circular thinking that people just simply aren't catching on to.