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I wish I shared your enthusiasm. But I think the truth is that the majority of the world's population can not possess the means to afford any digital device, in

by skidoo 13y ago

I wish I shared your enthusiasm. But I think the truth is that the majority of the world's population can not possess the means to afford any digital device, internet or no. The internet is huge, but it still is merely a fraction of the total population that has even gone online. I know that I myself am the only person on my street (somewhere in the American bible belt) who owns any home computer system, and the only portable device I own is this laptop. Also, consider that the longer the internet is around, the more that various businesses are trying desperately to monetize from it. Even the largest online businesses such as facebook or google, much of what they deal in is still considered "theoretical dollars" and not hard currencies. As far as Bitcoin, keep in mind that bankers have had no qualms with launching massive wars in the past, so if push comes to shove they will take no issue with deafening any perceived competition as maliciously as possible.

icebraining 13y ago
I think the truth is that the majority of the world's population can not possess the means to afford any digital device, internet or no. I find that very hard to believe, consider for example: Fifty-seven percent of the adult population -- or more than an estimated 151 million people -- have mobile phones across the 17 countries Gallup surveyed in sub-Saharan Africa in 2010. http://www.gallup.com/poll/149519/mobile-phone-access-varies-widely-sub-saharan-africa.aspx http://www.gallup.com/poll/149519/mobile-phone-access-varies... The speed and scale of the world's love affair with mobile phones was revealed yesterday in a UN report that showed more than half the global population now pay to use one. The survey, by the International Telecommunications Union (ITU), an agency of the UN, also found that nearly a quarter of the world's 6.7 billion people use the internet. http://www.theguardian.com/technology/2009/mar/03/mobile-phones1 http://www.theguardian.com/technology/2009/mar/03/mobile-pho... Of course, there are many people who can't afford one, but I don't think it's the majority anymore, and it's dropping steadily. And while most only have limited devices (dumbphones), these have already been shown to be enough to enable very important functions, such as Kenya's mobile-based alternative to banking.
informatimago 13y ago
Actually a Samsung smart phone sold in Africa costs less than a goat. In a few countries, there are already more smart phones than people. Yes, the majority of the world's population does or will soon possess the digital devices needed to access the Internet. Last year, the penetration was already more than 34% http://www.internetworldstats.com/stats.htm http://www.internetworldstats.com/stats.htm

by skidoo 13y ago

icebraining 13y ago

I think the truth is that the majority of the world's population can not possess the means to afford any digital device, internet or no. I find that very hard to believe, consider for example: Fifty-seven percent of the adult population -- or more than an estimated 151 million people -- have mobile phones across the 17 countries Gallup surveyed in sub-Saharan Africa in 2010. http://www.gallup.com/poll/149519/mobile-phone-access-varies-widely-sub-saharan-africa.aspx http://www.gallup.com/poll/149519/mobile-phone-access-varies... The speed and scale of the world's love affair with mobile phones was revealed yesterday in a UN report that showed more than half the global population now pay to use one. The survey, by the International Telecommunications Union (ITU), an agency of the UN, also found that nearly a quarter of the world's 6.7 billion people use the internet. http://www.theguardian.com/technology/2009/mar/03/mobile-phones1 http://www.theguardian.com/technology/2009/mar/03/mobile-pho... Of course, there are many people who can't afford one, but I don't think it's the majority anymore, and it's dropping steadily. And while most only have limited devices (dumbphones), these have already been shown to be enough to enable very important functions, such as Kenya's mobile-based alternative to banking.

informatimago 13y ago

Actually a Samsung smart phone sold in Africa costs less than a goat. In a few countries, there are already more smart phones than people. Yes, the majority of the world's population does or will soon possess the digital devices needed to access the Internet. Last year, the penetration was already more than 34% http://www.internetworldstats.com/stats.htm http://www.internetworldstats.com/stats.htm