Horse Good, Buggy Good. Internet Bad.
The Pew Internet Life survey was
released again today. I think the notion that the growth of internet adoption in the US has flattened out combined with the statistics on the conscientious objectors out there were somewhat surprising. The economic and demographic dynamics of the former are understandable, the size and determinism of the latter--well let's just say I don't personally understand it.
I know a few folks like this, well-educated people who choose to not be online. For the most part it stems from a baseline fear of computers in general. But beyond that, you got me. I think of my father: completely dangerous, completely out of his league any time he touches the mouse--nonetheless he can put page numbers on his own word docs now and he feels more confident. There's hope for him, even if it's slim hehe. And then there's my adorable grandmother, 78 years young. She's hell on wheels and is fond of doing all manner of geneology research online (we're descended from apes, she tells me) and honing her bridge and other boardgame skills against all manner of online competition. Then again, she asked for a N64 for her birthday a few years ago and was rewarded.
Which is all to say, there are lot of people out there with lower end technical skills and they're exposing themselves to a vast array of things to inform and entertain themselves. The folks that limit themselves and spurn the online realm due their presumed lack of ability? Well, their loss I suppose.