Via Avedon Carol, there's this article about how the U.S. is falling behind the rest of the world with regards to technology, specifically, access to affordable and fast internet connections.

Compared to all other OECD countries (except Turkey, Mexico, and Slovakia) more Americans have never used a computer before they hit college. We're paying lots more for lots less from our broadband providers than most industrialized countries. Japan, for instance, has us beat hands down.

A full third of our households don't have any internet connection at all, and another third is stuck with dial up, which, while cheap, doesn't really do much for the speed factor. One in ten households at under $30K a year income has broadband, compared to six in ten when you hit $100K and up.

Now, I can hear some saying it doesn't matter if not everyone in the country is connected to the 'net, nor that not everyone is on wireless or cable speeds . . . but consider the risks of not having any sort of internet at all:

You don't get into the good schools. You can't do the research your peers can (or those richer than you, or those in the city) and don't get to learn that if you mention this person or that place in your essays, you'll have an edge. And you can't easliy find out if the program you really wanted at one school was just changed to something you don't want, or will be dismantled in two years, or if the extra curricular activity you were dying to particpate in is about to be scrapped.

You don't get the good jobs. Many jobs these days are advertised only online, through Monster, online-only agencies and even the Employment Department. In writing, agents and editors often want to be able to access you quickly, and some won't even consider you as a client unless you can send and receive files via the internet. . . . Ever try sending a 200K word novel via dialup? Ack. Thbbtt.

You don't get the networking. In the writing life, networking is key. Sure, once upon a time, it was fine to go your own way and not have any contact with the outside world, but not anymore. It's way cooler, when sending something to an editor you've "met" in blogs or messageboards, to have them recognize your name and maybe spend a couple extra moments on your manuscript. Not to mention that market guidelines change so quickly, with updates first available on magazines' websites and market reports, that writers who are online have a definite edge.

You spend more to stay connected to your family. Whether it's sending or posting photos, sending notes or video phoning, you can stay in touch faster and easier with internet than with "snail" mail. And since phone companies have a stranglehold on prices for DSL (as cable companies have on broadband) the prices are still prohibitive for most American families.

You lose the technology race. Slobovistan can kick your butt. Nuff said.