Frank's Musings

The Biden initiative for expanding the internet apparently prioritizes miles over people in the belief that, “If you build it, [they] will come.” The country has been experiencing “deurbanization” as a result of the pandemic.  Such periodic health emergencies are likely to become frequent phenomena in our increasingly interactive world.   Nevertheless, the public health benefits from reducing population concentration come at the cost of the inconveniences caused by isolation.   

Easy access to the internet can mitigate the harm to cultural and civic life caused by population dispersal.    Perforce, the more efficient way to make the internet available while anticipating a continued need for rural development is to devote substantial resources to expanding the geographic extent of affordable internet connections.

Of course, that strategy impacts electoral politics, as well.  Whether the internet is used more effectively as a demagogic tool than for education and community activation probably depends on factors other than the timing and inclusiveness of its development.   Just as important as providing infrastructure will be creating a staff and protocols for mobilizing this electronic communications medium for enlisting citizen involvement in the use of the internet as a means for exercising their democratic rights.