Intro/Conclusion of My PRP
“As broadband use increases, borders and distances between countries begin to diminish, providing global citizens with access to information and the tools necessary for optimum communication.” This quote is an insightful look into Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs), and the firm hold they are starting to take in our every day lives. Throughout mankind’s history we have been continuously striving for progress. For today’s communities, and the communities of tomorrow, progress will be achieved through the use of ICTs; as well as the careful planning and implementation of said technologies.
This is made apparent in Carl Shapiro’s book, Information Rules: A Strategic Guide to The Network Economy, where he states, “Today’s breathless pace of change and the current fascination with the information economy are driven by advances in information technology and infrastructure.”
This paper will look into several factors of Information and Communication Technologies and how to better communities through their uses. In addition, several countries’ use of existing technologies will be examined in regards to censorship. Academic/professional settings, the relationship between law and policy, and the role of public, private, and civic sectors with ICT will be examined as well.
THESIS: Information and Communication Technologies are the new driving force behind a community’s success. Structure of regulation, implementation and control of power all directly affect the success of such technologies, and therefore the communities they are employed in.
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Information and Communication Technologies are the new driving force behind a community’s success. Structure of regulation, implementation and control of power all directly affect the success of such technologies, and therefore the communities they are employed in. When regulation is not open/based on feedback from affected parties, and there is no checks-and-balance system, there is a tendency for abuse of power. When power and control of information is abused, ICTs cannot be as beneficial to the communities, and they in turn suffer. Feedback is a must have as well for the proper implementation of the ICTs. How can we best utilize technologies, if we are not utilizing proper tools/information to implement them?
“Global telecommunications is not only influencing human events by delivering them live into our living rooms, but helping people in countries where information access has been tightly controlled” ICTs are starting to liberate people across the world. This growing trend can be stifled when governments are not held accountable by their citizens. It is vital that governments make the ICTs and their benefits as open as can be reasonably expected so that the benefits may spread as far as possible.
When implementation is poorly planned and thought about future uses are not considered, ICTs successes will be short lived. “Whether these and other new services will be used by people in remote areas, developing regions, and inner cities depends more on the institutional incentives and constraints than on technology”
Finally, we can greatly improve any community in the world through the proper implementation of ICTs. Our global information revolution has now become a basic expectation of everyday life for many. Dr. Jay Gillette sums up the reason for this expectation well by saying: “Broadband gives critical access to life, labor, and the pursuit of happiness, in applications for education and training; health information…businesses large and small…and masses of people.” If access to such technologies is denied, then access to life, labor, and the pursuit of happiness are denied. This is why the vague, unreasonable censorship without just cause is such an injustice to communities around the world.