The Web and the Soda Machine

(For those who know me, you will know that this is one of my favorite arguments)

Is the Web universally accessible?

My argument: Simply put, once you're away from urban areas, easily accessible libraries/computers/Web access can be tough to find. Beyond that, it adds an extra "layer" to the process that many people don't have time for.

It's easy for me to read Web content because my computer (and cable modem access) is sitting in my bedroom. I can read in my PJs if I want. I can read before running out the door for work. I can read the minute I get home. I can read while I cook, while I do laundry. If I had to go somewhere else, I wouldn't use the Web nearly as much.

This simple "one-step" access to the Web costs money: Money for a computer. Money for an Internet connection (esp. a high-speed one). Money to keep both up to date as technology improves (i.e. most active computer users purchase a new computer every five years, if not more).

Ergo, Web access is constrained by money. Ergo, the Web discriminates.

Of course, less than 50% of the population votes anyway. Maybe people just don't care to read Web content. Which leads me back to my initial "food service" based view of the world, which is: People don't think, people don't read, and people don't listen.

All problems, from the jammed ice machine to world poverty, can be linked to those three causes. Which leads me to one of my favorite food service quotes (which—I believe—was coined by Aaron O'Neil): "Maybe that soda machine would work better if you took the 'out of order' sign off it."