Based on the different perspective, I think this question is absolutely difficult to quantify but worth to think. So, I want to stand with one of the basic theory of communication - "Knowledge Gap Theory" roughly answered the question. In this theory, knowledge is treated as any other commodity which is not distributed equally throughout the society and the people at the top of the ladder has more easy access to it.
The Knowledge Gap theory was first proposed in 1970 by Philip J Tichenor, defined as the infusion of mass media information into a social system increases higher socioeconomic status segments tend to acquire this information faster than lower socioeconomic status population segments so that gap in knowledge between the two tends to increase rather than decrease. In simple words, it means, as the access to mass media increases those particular segments of population inevitable gain information faster and hence the wide gap increases with the lower economic status of the population. The world is yet to see the complete effect of the new technologies but as the globe turns out more technological and the expense rises, it more goes out of the league of the poor. As a result the knowledge gap also widens and the people of the higher economic class gain the benefits more. If the Information services are not made equal for the entire society, this gap of information will increase over the years.
For example, before firearms haven't appear in the world, the gap between people is nothing more than cold weapon with bare hands. However, since the firearm age came, Europe start launched the national war. Why is that? Because war need firearms, and most of the European developed countries have strong financial resources to play a massive firearms. Knowledge are also.
After new media popularized, the knowledge gap is more obvious, because the use level of new media is closely related to economic conditions. Before the network haven't develop and popularize, the knowledge gap between people is just the illiteracy and intellectual. So, for people who thirst for knowledge, the advent of the era of new media means they can acquire knowledge more simple and convenient. But the poor-knowledge people is likely to be more poverty, because of the lack of means of access to knowledge.
Five reasons have been stated of why this pattern of gap exist, they are communication skills, stored information, relevant social contact, selective exposure and media target markets. Naturally, developed areas of the popularity of new media, as well as the high level of education people more good at create opportunity to learn, work and entertainment through new media. Oppositely, For the countries of backward development and the lower-income people of every country almost less this opportunity. The global Internet broadens people's field of vision and has brought great convenience to our daily life. But for those children even have no contact with computer, a bowl of rice may be more important In their eyes.
So, how about ways of practical reducing the gap? Something important are should not be ignored while we are in the crazy development of science and technology! And live in the new media age, we should how to ensure that distance between people will not more and more far? After all, our primary purpose of technology development is make people closer, isn't it?
Reference:
Tichenor, P.A.; Donohue, G.A.; Olien, C.N. (1970). "Mass media flow and differential growth in knowledge". Public Opinion Quarterly 34 (2): 159–170.
Exactly. This is probably one of the reason why I think education is very important and also an aspect which the government should pay close attention at. Why? Because without education, our future generation cannot help in contributing to the development and the advancement of the nation. There are many definition of development which scholars have come out with. But for me, the gap of knowledge also marks the development of a country. Per say, we cannot say that a particular country is develop when only people in the cities have an access to information but not those who live in the rural areas. Taking my own experience as an example. When I go back to my hometown and gathering around with my cousins, there are times where we talk about our social media and latest news updates. But I realised that some of my cousins don’t really understand what we are talking about. It is normal if they don’t have certain social media account but the fact that some of them have never heard of Twitter, Snapchat, Vine and Tumblr kind of amazes me. Because most of the time, I keep up with the current news from Twitter which I think it shows how famous and important Twitter is. It had me thinking that is the reason why they’ve never heard of it is because of lack of interest or lack of access to the news of it. Well, I surely wish it was due to the former. To some people, it might not be a big issue but for me it is quite important. New media plays an important role in our daily lives actually. We got to know and learn a lot of new things from it. Sometimes, my friends and I talk about certain issues that we came across knowing through social media. Thus, it becomes the topic of our conversation. It doesn’t feel that good when a friend could really join the conversation because he/she doesn’t have an access to that. What I’m trying to say here is that it is part of the example of knowledge gap where people can actually be drifted apart due to the different level of knowledge of the media and technology.
ReplyDeleteI agree with your statement saying the main purpose of the new technologies invented is to make people more close or another way is no boundaries concept but this statement only can be used for country that have develop technologies, for the undeveloped country technologies this might be disadvantage for them not to know about the technology development.Just like Fatin hazwani statement, people from rural area always become the disadvantage one. From that situation we already see the technology gap, this is because they don't have access to the technology and another reason is they don't have knowledge about the technology.
ReplyDeleteThe rapid development of information and communication technology (ICT) in the digital system represents a digital revolution that has and will change the way people think, communicate, act and work. Generally, we can see that the development of new media can narrow the gap between human. In fact that the human gap farther when there is a difference lifestyle, perceptions and views between new generations. Digital generation will continue to be exposed to what's on the outside world. They may not be able to build a fortress to prevent negative elements into their lives. It is difficult to prevent the influences that could harm their minds. They are exposed to the lifestyle and culture that is more universal form with information obtained through ICT, especially social media. This is much different than the generations before them were not exposed like it or influenced by the values and perspectives that shaped global. So, we should understand the characteristics of this new generation and communicate with them in accordance with their new instincts will narrow the gap. Then the process of educating them become more easily and effectively. Through effective approaches that can be applied directly or indirectly the basic value which include integrity, discipline, respect one another and self-esteem.
ReplyDeleteI am totally agree with your statement. In fact, it is a true if technology strengthen our daily communication, people tend to rely on technology as a means of communication through cyberspace. It is also correct if the five reasons have been stated of why this pattern of gap exist, they are communication skills, stored information, relevant social contact, selective exposure and media target markets are playing a big role nowadays in our actually life. Each or the factors are related to each others.
ReplyDeleteDevelopment is not just about technology and economy but everything is starting with knowledge. How a country can develop if nobody has knowledge about how to develop certain places? Basically with the invention of technology, people have to more socializing with other and the gap have to be decreased, whoever and wherever they are it doesn't matter including people who live in rural and poverty area. Actually it is good that today we have such new media which help us to strengthen our relationship and can learn many things through internet but in real life it tend to increase the gap between people due to the developmenst of the area where they belong. For people in rural, working and earn money is more important than touch any technology like smartphone, because they think this is waste their time. but for educated people like student, businessman, politician and doctors it is very important for them to always keep monitor their electronic devices in order to broaden their information and keep aware with what happen around the world
ReplyDeleteHi Zoey! Interesting topic you got here. Back to your question,the distance between people will remain the same. Here is why. We can see how much urban people differ with those who stay in village area right? The distance we see right now, will be the same at the future IF the access of the new media stays the same which is more accessible in urban and less in village area. HOWEVER, if everyone has the ability to use New Media, it is likely possible to reduce the distant between these two societies as the distribution of information is fairly accessible to everyone.
ReplyDeleteLike Rustow said, development can be measured by economy and there are some stages of that. However we cannot denied that technology also contribute to the development of a country. But the most important thing is the knowledge. When we have knowledge, we can contribute to our country and let it be develop. Back to your question, the gap between people will remain the same. People more close and have no boundaries if the urban and rural area have the same accessibility. This is because as we know in rural area, it is so hard for the people to because there no access in their place and they also don't have knowledge about technology.
ReplyDeleteEverything borned in this world must be have a meaning. Who decide the meaning is based on who are using it. In my opinion whether the modern technology expanded or narrow the distence between people, there is no exactly answer. If compared with before, before those Mobile phone come out, the way people use to connect are letter, pigeon....If something emergency happened, those connect way are sooo useless. But after mobile invented, the things become easier and.easier, you can connect people far away from you, emergency thing happens you connect people at first time. We will say, ahh, such a amazing technology!!!!
ReplyDeleteBut if compared in another side, before mobile invented, people and people only know those people I ever takes with, they Don't what the world looks like if they never go out from this country. The way people to know new things are roughly. So,when we have to and we only can communicate with those people, Then we focus on it. But now, they have mobile they have internet, they can know more things than before, it is also amazing, people are interesting on that can not stop, because the world change everyday.
Overall, New technology exist, we can't say it is wrong or right. Because context changed everyday, we need it,we can't ignore it.
New media sure cutting the gap but also widening the gaps between people
ReplyDeletePeople can know what others do in other side of earth easily just with social media. Yet, people nowaday tend to ignoring what happening on their own environtment.