The promise of access : technology, inequality, and the political economy of hope / Daniel Greene.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Greene, Daniel, 1987-

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Digital divide--Washington (D.C.).

Digital divide.

Computer literacy--Social aspects--Washington (D.C.).

Computer literacy.

Knowledge economy--Washington (D.C.).

Knowledge economy.

Poverty--Washington (D.C.).

Poverty.

Technology--Social aspects--Washington (D.C.).

Technology.

Technology and state--Washington (D.C.).

Technology and state.

Technology--Social aspects.

Washington (D.C.).

Physical Description:

viii, 260 pages ; 23 cm

Place of Publication:

Cambridge, Massachusetts ; London, England : The MIT Press, [2021]

Summary:

"Based on fieldwork at three distinct sites in Washington, DC, this book finds that the persistent problem of poverty is often framed as a problem of technology"-- Provided by publisher

"Why simple technological solutions to complex social issues continue to appeal to politicians and professionals who should (and often do) know better. Why do we keep trying to solve poverty with technology? What makes us feel that we need to learn to code--or else? In The Promise of Access, Daniel Greene argues that the problem of poverty became a problem of technology in order to manage the contradictions of a changing economy. Greene shows how the digital divide emerged as a policy problem and why simple technological solutions to complex social issues continue to appeal to politicians and professionals who should (and often do) know better. Greene shows why it is so hard to get rid of the idea--which he terms the access doctrine--that the problem of poverty can be solved with the right tools and the right skills. This way of thinking is so ingrained that is adopted by organizations that fight poverty--which often refashion themselves to resemble technology startups. Drawing on years of fieldwork, Greene explores how this plays out in the real world, examining organizational change in technology startups, public libraries, and a charter school in Washington, DC. He finds that as the libraries and school pursue technological solutions, they win praise and funding but also marginalize and alienate the populations they serve. Greene calls for new political alliances that can change the terms on which we understand technology and fight poverty." -- Provided by publisher.

Contents:

Introduction : "The internet : your future depends on it"

Discovering the divide : technology and poverty in the new economy

The pivot and the trouble with "tech"

"More than just a building to sit in for the day"

Flexible classrooms

Bootstrapping

Conclusion : Reproducing hope.

Notes:

Includes bibliographical references (pages [207]-231) and index.

Other Format:

Online version: Greene, Daniel, 1987- Promise of access.

ISBN:

9780262542333

0262542331

OCLC:

1158505577