7/31 -
Internet Connectivity and Economic Development
Across the world, two in 10 households have access to the Internet at home, according to a just released Gallup survey. Internet access at home was far greater in more economically advanced countries: Nearly eight in 10 people (78 percent) in countries where gross domestic product (GDP) is more than $25,000 have Internet access at home. Home Internet access drops off steeply in less affluent, less developed nations, according to the Gallup survey, especially in countries with less than $10,000 in per capita GDP. The survey is based on telephone and face-to-face interviews with approximately 1,000 adults, aged 15 and older in 116 countries, and was conducted in 2009.
The map above, by Zara Matheson of the Martin Prosperity Institute, shows the percentage of households with Internet connectivity, highlighting the top 10.
The study notes the connection between home Internet connectivity and both urbanization and economic development. “Populations in the most connected countries also tend to be highly urbanized, reducing the cost of extending Internet delivery modes – whether phone and cable lines or wireless towers – to a high proportion of residents. Two of the most connected populations in the world – residents of Singapore and Hong Kong – are entirely urban,” the study reports, adding that: “Internet access is clearly a function of economic development; as recent trends in China demonstrate, demand for electronics and online services grows as living standards rise along with disposable income levels.”
Home Internet connectivity is indeed a function of economic development, as my analysis with Charlotta Mellander finds, but it is also related to the transition from industrial to post-industrial societies.
Source: World Development Indicators for 2006.
Home Internet connectivity is closely associated with economic output measured as gross regional product per capita according to our analysis, with a correlation of .89. It is also closely correlated with total factor productivity (.87), the UN Human Development Index (.84), and the Global Competitiveness Index (.84) – various measures of the level and extent of economic development.
Source: World Development Indicators for 2006, calculations by Charlotta Mellander.
But other factors also appear to be at play. It is not just the level of economic development that matters, but its nature and type, notably the transition from older, industrial-style economies and societies to newer, post-industrial ones, as I noted in a previous post. Post-industrial economies are distinguished by more highly educated populations or higher human capital levels; higher levels of knowledge-based, professional, and creative class jobs; higher levels of innovation and R&D; higher levels of entrepreneurship and business formation; and a shift toward more open-minded and tolerant values – what Ronald Inglehart has dubbed “post-materialist values.” My recent research with Charlotta Mellander and Jason Rentfrow finds evidence that post-industrial socioeconomic structures and post-materialist values matter to the happiness of nations, especially of the most advanced nations, in addition to the effects of income and the level of economic development.
Source: Based on average level of education by Barro and Lee, 2001.
Home Internet connectivity is closely associated with the level of human capital (.73 ) and with the percentage of the workforce that are members of the creative class (.71).
Source: International Labour Organization 2000-2006 (an average).
Home Internet access is also closely associated with the level of innovation measured as patents (.86), research and development efforts (.89), and entrepreneurship (.69).
Source: USPTO, 2000-2006.
Home Internet connectivity is also closely correlated with happiness (.67) and slightly less so with more open and tolerant attitudes toward gays and lesbians (.48) and racial and ethnic minorities (.3).
Source: Gallup World Poll, 2008.
This is just a preliminary first-cut analysis. I point out that correlation does not imply causation and other intervening factors likely come into play. We hope to look at all of this in further analysis with more advanced statistical techniques. But, for now, we can say that while income and the level of economic development play an important role in home Internet connectivity, it is also related to the type and nature of economic development and the values it engenders. There is something in the nature of post-industrial economies that appears to work in addition to the effects of income. Perhaps it is that people with higher levels of education encourage people to be more connected. Or perhaps people in knowledge-based jobs feel they have to be more connected or their jobs require them to be connected at home as well as at work. Whatever it is, it is clear that not just the level of economic development, but the nature and type of development and the attitudes it brings into play matter to many facets of life today, from overall happiness and well-being to being connected online at home.
7/31 -
Keystone Connector Update
There was a full meeting room last night at the public meeting about the latest proposal for the Keystone to Field Club trail connector. Several members of the NRD board were in attendance, as were several members of the City of Omaha Parks & Rec department, Councilman Gary Gernandt, and State Senator Heath Mello. The majority of the citizens in attendance are residents of the neighborhood along the proposed D Street portion of the proposed trail.
The speaker spent a great deal of time discussing the history of Omaha's trail network, Bob Kerry's "Back to the River" vision that spurred the initial trail master plan, different types of bike/ped infrastructure, and finally the history of how they arrived at the proposed route for the connector trail that would run along D Street.
The long and short of it is this: The neighbors along D Street feel like they have been left out of the planning process, and they voiced concerns about safety along D Street, specifically the number of industrial trucks that come in and out on that street.
Several of the citizens spoke up with concerns about being required to give up a portion of their property for the trail to be built, specifically that they had no idea that this particular route option was being considered and that they should have been in the loop sooner. One man expressed that his business was "targeted for demolition" and that he had never been notified.
Of course, the NRD provided their side as well, explaining that this meeting was part of the process to explore options for the location of the trail, that no plans have been cast in stone, and that they want public input.
Many of the concerned citizens that spoke up last night prefaced their remarks with "I am pro-trail." In fact, when the crowd was asked point blank, "Is anyone here just plain opposed to the trail in the first place?" no hands went up. Several neighborhood association reps voiced support for the trail itself, described their neighborhood watch efforts and how they would gladly extend those efforts to the portions of the trail in their neighborhood; they also realize that the trail would bring more "eyes on the street" and that any illicit activity, graffiti, etc., would likely be driven away by the trail.
The comments worth their weight in gold last night came at the end of the meeting where a man stood up and told the crowd that he was part of the neighborhood association in the Karen Park area when the NRD routed a trail in their neighborhood. He said that his neighbors were concerned about the proposed route and the process, but that the NRD were very open to their concerns and in the end worked with them to craft the best solution. He said that it took time, but that today the neighborhood is pleased with the result.
I came away feeling very hopeful that the leaders of the neighborhood associations, the NRD and the City will be able to work together to find a creative solution that will benefit everyone. More public meetings will be held, more input will be gathered. Thanks to Matt, Andrew, Ananath and Randy who showed up to represent OmahaBikes.
7/31 -
When Art and Technology Have a Baby
This afternoon I'm meeting with Lincoln Schatz (pronounced "shots"), an American portrait artist whose work has just been acquired by the Smithsonian. I first met Lincoln a few years ago at an event in his studio. I was mesmerized by the images that floated like ghosts across the walls. Part programmer and part videographer, Lincoln's customized computers deliver generative moving portraits of people the likes of George Clooney as commissioned by Esquire Magazine.
Not satisfied to just make art, Lincoln is also mastering the process of creating change. His Cure Violence project teaches Chicago area youth from blighted communities how to tell their stories using video art. Cisco is one of the project's sponsors. According to Lincoln, the project has been both gratifying and vexing. It's not easy changing a culture from destructive to creative in the face of grinding poverty.
I hope to learn about it.
I learn more from stories about disappointment than glory. Handling success doesn't really demand perspective or inner coaching. Creative people have vivid imaginations. It's part of their gift. And it can become their downfall when reality just never forms up the way it's been imagined.
I read recently that Buddhists believe expectation is the partner to disappointment. Willingness is the partner to happiness--being willing to accept what unfolds. Here's hoping Lincoln is willing unfold his secret to pulling off his wildly ambitious blend of art + technology + social action.
7/31 -
Preventing Homelessness
Our work at the Timberlake Outreach Center is PREVENTION; helping our clients, who are the working poor and near homeless, while they are in extreme crisis. We do this by providing them with food, clothing, diapers, household items, and furniture. All of these items are given free with the hope they can take the money they may otherwise have spent on these things and use it toward paying their rent or utility bills. This helps them stay in their homes and enables them to receive basic needs they would not otherwise be able to purchase.
The suprising thing about poverty and homelessness is that the average age of a homeless person now is only nine. Yes, it is children living in crises as their parents struggle to survive. Yesterday, during King’s Kloset, I spoke with two mothers who shared how Open Door Mission has helped their families get through these tough economic times. What follows are their comments and pictures.
Monique, mother of four, said shopping here has helped her cloth her children and receive household items she would not otherwise be able to purchase. They said they love to go to the toy area—not only to get something for themselves, but also for a brother and sister unable to join them and their mom today.
Tara is a working mother of four who said she didn’t have enough money to purchase the diapers and clothes her children need, so she was grateful to be able to shop here once a month. She also said the food pantries help supplement her grocery budget. Tara is planning on attending Metro this fall with the goal of becoming a Dental Assistant in future.
These stories are just two among hundreds whose lives are being changed through the work God is doing at Open Door Mission. We are grateful to all our donors, volunteers, resource people and staff, who have partnered with us to help change lives—one person at a time. We could not do it without you.
By the way, if anyone has small children’s hangers you no longer need, would you PLEASE bring them to Timberlake Outreach Center? We have great need of them.
Joyfully serving Jesus,
Judy Collins
Director of the Timberlake Outreach Center