Major

Sat, May 30, 2009
3:00 PM

New Museum Theater (directions)

YTJ: Networked Equality: Technology and Access

 
Discussions

Networked Equality is a conversation about the promises and limitations of technology, at home and abroad, with Ethan Zuckerman and Omar Wasow. To what extent is the Internet truly "global"? What steps can be taken to ensure those who do not speak English will have equal access to the Internet's information? In the United States, how does class structure one's relationship to the Internet? How does unfamiliarity with the Internet disadvantage individuals in today's society?

Omar Wasow is a PhD candidate in African-American studies and Government at Harvard. His research focuses on race and politics, particularly in relation to education and crime. In addition, Wasow is the co-founder and strategic advisor to BlackPlanet.com, a social network he helped grow to over three million users a month. Omar also works to demystify technology through regular TV and radio segments. In 2003, he helped found a K-8 charter school in Brooklyn. He is a recipient of the NSF Graduate Research Fellowship and the Aspen Institute’s Henry Crown Fellowship.

Ethan Zuckerman, an early partner in the Web company Tripod and a co-founder of the nonprofit organization GeekCorps, is now a research fellow at the Berkman Center for Internet and Society at Harvard Law School. He leads a team that is building GlobalVoices, a group of bloggers located around the world who are bridging cultural and linguistic differences through their weblogs.