A previous blog discusses the Connecting Southwest Wisconsin Conference–the first regional broadband conference aimed at providing rural Wisconsin communities the tools they need to address the lack of broadband or high-speed internet access.
On my way to the conference in Belmont from Milwaukee, I got a taste of what being unconnected is really like.
Because I was relying on my smartphone’s GPS application rather than my own common sense, I ended up in Reedsburg, which is at least 2 hours in the wrong direction. Yeah, yeah I know it’s pretty hilarious but as Katherine Mansfield once said, “It is of immense importance to learn to laugh at ourselves.”
To make matters worse, I got a flat tire. And I didn’t have cell phone service. Pretty sweet, huh?
There I was on my way to a conference all about increasing access to high-speed broadband and I couldn’t even call AAA.
After flagging down some good Samaritans who not only put my spare tire on, but then directed me to the “honest mechanic” in the town seven miles away, I realized the irony of my situation. Even now, almost two weeks later, I shake my head and laugh.
Lessons learned: the need for better broadband access throughout Wisconsin is very real, and this Milwaukee city girl, who happens to be the Associate Director of a tech-issue nonprofit got to experience for herself what life unconnected is like.
What’s your story of life unconnected?
Join Wired Wisconsin as a coalition member today to help all of Wisconsin’s residents get better access to lifeline technologies like wireless and high-speed broadband. www.wiredwisconsin.org/join
maybe if people relied on common sense more and technology less we would all be better off. I believe there is a reason community are called rural….
Comment by allen ray — May 7, 2010 @ 8:25 pm
[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Selena Rickes, Manda Lander, jenna ryler, Gr8techguide, Wired Wisconsin and others. Wired Wisconsin said: Milwaukee Woman Gets Technology Lifeline Cut in Rural WI http://ht.ly/1ImJZ [...]
Pingback by Tweets that mention Wired Wisconsin » Milwaukee Woman Gets Technology Lifeline Cut in Rural WI -- Topsy.com — May 7, 2010 @ 9:03 pm
I find Allen's comment amusing. How was she supposed to know where coverage stopped and started? Different carriers have coverage and roaming areas. My Verizon phones works virtually everywhere while ATT doesn't. (No product plug meant.
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We need to working to create 100% telecommunication and broadband coverage. Hopefully in the next 5-20 years, per the FCC broadband plan, wewill have a national broadband network linking both urban and rural communities. VOIP enabled cell phones working in broadband areas would have prevented her problem.
Comment by C Hytry Derrington — May 8, 2010 @ 10:42 pm
More network access is a good thing, but there is something to be said for never losing sight of the fact that no technology can think for you, and the more you try to let it, the more you set yourself up for failure.
I did something similar once — went to Concord, VA instead of Concord, NC from Raleigh (about 200 miles the wrong way) but that was based on a bad assumption that I was supposed to go to the VA destination. I had a map and used it. My iPhone today would not have saved me from that mistake. In fact, Google Maps on my iPhone has actually misdirected me on occasion because it has had errors on exit numbers. There will always be advantages in local/first hand knowledge that may not be shareable to people who do not have much connection to a specific locale.
Comment by Dan — May 10, 2010 @ 4:17 pm