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While a good chunk of the nation remains offline, high-speed broadband has made significant inroads with those who are surfing the Web. By late 2009, 63 percent of overall households had opted for the faster service, which is up from 40 percent in early 2007.
Still, we can't help but be baffled, and slightly insulted, by those who continue to shun the information superhighway, which we call home.
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Friday 19 February
By alschrod
Why should that number be surprising? I would expect it to be much higher, considering that many people over 40 simply do not NEED a computor for anything! Furthermore, think of how many people actually need a portable telephone-just because teens use them so often doesn't mean the calls or texts are of any necessity whatsoever.
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Friday 19 February
By trmnatr2
Im 47 and i know alot of people.I can honestly say Idont know one person who doesnt have a computor or doesnt use the internet.
Friday 19 February
By thec2u
Yeah alschrod, people over 40 don't need a computer for anything or portable phones either. They are too old to pay bills online, check their bank accounts, read emails or know what going on around world . They only need the post office for that. The public pay phone still work in an emergency if they can find one.
Saturday 20 February
By la gatikka
and obviously you don't even need to know how to spell it!
Saturday 20 February
By BB
I spend almost eight hours a cay on a bloody computer at work. Why would I want to spend more?
Saturday 20 February
By Avice
I'm 71 and live in a rural area. I get my internet by satellite. And I do need it. Until last year I did medical transcription for hospitals all over the country by downloading sound files and uploading texts. Even though I don't do that anymore, I DO need the internet to keep track of my bills and other concerns. I also connect with family members every day, which I wouldn't do if I had to call or write. I also use the internet to publish a newsletter, to track down ancestors, and to find accommodations and make reservations when I travel. And I play games to keep my mind active. Maybe you should try it.
Saturday 20 February
By cirujo
Some idiot wrote: "many people over 40 simply do not NEED a computor for anything!"
What are you, 12? First of all, learn how to spell "computer" if you're commenting on an article about COMPUTERS. Second, where did you get the inane, asinine and downright idiotic idea that many people over 40 don't NEED a computer for anything?? MANY people over 40 use the computer every day as an integral part of their jobs.
Of course, we are talking about jobs that pay more than minimum wage and require more than a high school diploma or GED here, so you and your friends at your particular trailer park in a remote area (I'm guessing East Bumf*ck, West VA), may not be aware that such jobs exist.
Saturday 20 February
By Cat
"Still, we can't help but be baffled, and slightly insulted, by those who continue to shun the information superhighway, which we call home."
Some people can't afford computers, much less internet or even cell phone service. It's not their fault.
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Saturday 20 February
By BILL
"finds that seniors, the poor, underrepresented minorities and folks who live in rural areas lag behind the rest of the country, technologically speaking"
How true about being unable to afford.... Let's break it down, Seniors & The Disabled living on SS, SSI, or SSDI generally make the equalivent of 4.50 an hr or less if was a 40 hr work week 4 times a month, the poor make minimum wage or less, not sure about minorities(lump under poor or lesser educated?), and the rural areas having to pay a average of 99.00 dollars a month with a minimum 350.00 set up fee for 2 mb download speed using satellite.
I am so glad the author of this article has head up his.... that way he only runs his mouth when he s**ts. It is a lot more about cause and effect.
Friday 19 February
By Dragonman
You may need a little more research on the "oldies"using the internet...My address book is small in comparison to others,but i use it every day to stay in contact with a few very good friends that i served with in Germany in 1954-1957..Me and my friend from NC are 73,my friend in Idaho is 75 and my best friend on the planet now lives in SC and he is 74..We also talk to each other on our cell phones...We may be a little gray,but we try to keep up with the "techies"....
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Friday 19 February
By JOANNA
Dragonman,
Like you I talk to my friends after work every day.
Yes, I still work three days a week.
I talk to Northern and Southern California, North Carolina,
Washington DC. Miami Fl. Austin TX. and, Las Vegas Nevada.
I just turned 73 and my youngest friend is 51...the oldest
is 86. We all have cell phones too.
I only know four people that do not have a computer. All four are younger than me. However, they do have cell phones.
Don't you just love it when you get catagorized?
Friday 19 February
By Gary
Good for you Dragonman. I am 56 and I communicate, pay bills, shop, and surf everyday. And unlike most of the "kids" here, I can SPELL.
Saturday 20 February
By Dodged5
I'm 63 and I use my computer every day. I have found old friends from High School and the military that I thought were lost forever. I've made new friends in the UK, Germany, Taiwan, France, S. Africa, S. America and many other places that I talk to on Skype. I also get to see my kids & grandkids and talk to them. I pay bills, do my banking, comparison shop, write politicians and friends and just have a great time with my computer and the Internet. I don't have to have it. I think of it as a tool and a convenience. The only person I know that doesn't have a computer is my Mom and that's just because hers broke down and she's too cheap to get it fixed or get a new one
Saturday 20 February
By Julia
Very well said.
Friday 19 February
By HB341
If you saw Gelman attempting to teach Rigis how to use the internet this morning you would not only have joined me in rolling on the floor laughing at the spectacle, you would also be seeing the demographic of non internet users group!!!
Just saying.
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Friday 19 February
By mwood
stop pushing high tech. it will never be secure and it gives big brother a hook in all users.
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Friday 19 February
By Evan
We live in a group of four houses on an acreage well out in the country and I am the only one with a computer. Dial up is all that's available. Right now my wife, who doesn't use a computer, is reading "The Art Of Racing In The Rain", one neighbor is working in his small shop getting equipment ready for use in his annual very large garden, another is in his shop with his furniture restoring hobby, and I can't see what the wives are doing but I'd bet it involves learning on some level. We get together to watch Jeopardy, Millionaire, or 5th Grader and let me tell you these folks can nail about 95% of the answers. They read, they watch, they listen, and they INTERACT. Am I the one that's progressive because I have a computer; I think not.
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Friday 19 February
By -Marie Bryan
Evan, I am 74 and I love my computer I play games and do Face Book and have so many friends that I love to e-mail and IM to them. I like what you had to say and would love to know where you live. We (my husband and I) have a garden every year and I read a lot (mostly the Bible) no junk stuff. I only read things that can teach me things. I still cut my grass with a push mower around the door and bird bath and my husband rides the big mower, and I cut the hedge. We stay busy most of the time. I refinished furniture for the public until I was 67, and loved it. We go dancing every Saturday with a lot of our friends to a live band and have done that for 18 years. Reply if you want to. Sincerely, Marie
Saturday 20 February
By mokrie
I also know people without computers. They read more books,are more politically involved, active in the community and a lot happier then the computer and text addicts I know. Funny how the young are so quick to equate the newest technology with intelligence and when they are the ones without knowledge of history, vocabulary etc. Old folks are dumb, right? It's the old folks that invented cars, planes, went to the moon, won wars and oh yes, gave them life. How stupid of them.
Friday 19 February
By Carolyn
What a stupid comment to make. I don't find it insulting that people don't use the internet. I find it sad that the author would "blame the victim" and say that's insulting. People who are unemployed or are on limited income can't afford to pay for broadband access. The Internet is not a high priority, not when you have to pay the rent and feed your kids. BTW, my mom, in her 80's, went out and bought a macintosh and got broadband access so she could stay in touch with friends and family. There's a lot of old folks who are connected.
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