AWD 3302: Project Files

Title: Writing Project 1

Author: Michael Van Wickle

Date:

Many members of the populace of the city of Boston, along with the United States and the World, do not have access to the benefits of modern technology. The problem stems from systemic inequality which is well beyond the scope of this class, or any single discipline. Reducing the problem to just that of the distribution of technology, it becomes more manageable. A simple statement of the problem: how could the distribution of technology expand to the disparate of the world? The following will focus on possible litigious or business facing solutions.^[i.n.]

Thomas, J., (2013). "Association for Molecular Pathology et al. v. Myriad Genetics et al.." United States Reports. 569. Available: http://www.supremecourt.gov/opinions/12pdf/12-398_1b7d.pdf.

This judgement, rendered by the Supreme Court of the United States, the highest court in the United States, deals with the patentability of isolated deoxyriboneucleic acid (DNA). Decided by the court, was that isolated DNA was not patentable. It more broadly deals with the patentability of laws of nature, natural phenomena, and abstract ideas(2). This judgement, while not exactly perfectly to the problem, could be used as a model argument against such patented technologies that some may view as human rights or fundamental to life.^[i.n.]

United Nations Human Rights Council. (2016, June, 27). "The promotion, protection, and enjoyment of human rights on the Internet." United Nations General Assembly. 32nd Session. Agenda item 3. Available: http://www.un.org/ga/search/view_doc.asp?symbol=A/HRC/32/L.20.

This statement, from the United Nations (UN) Human Rights Council, which deals with the promotion and protection of human rights worldwide, broadly states that access to the internet is a "universal" right. This declaration is non-binding, meaning that it does not compel member states to act. However, it does represent the conviction of the UN that internet access is a fundamental human right.^[i.n.]

Circuit Judge Tatel and Circuit Judge Srinivasan. (2016, June 14). "United States Telecom Association et al. v. Federal Communications Commission and United States of America." United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit. 15-1063.

This judgement, from the District of Colombia Circuit, a court on the second highest level in the United States, states that the an order from the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is valid. The order stated, generally, that broadband service providers must treat all network traffic the same. The FCC order essentially ensured that internet providers follow the rules of "net neutrality" which has been a governing principle since its inception. This judgement and the order that it upheld could be used to prevent internet providers from throttling internet connection speeds to the lower classes of society.

Daron Acemoglu. (2003). "Technology and Inequality," National Bureau of Economic Research Reporter. Winter 2003. Available: http://www.nber.org/reporter/winter03/technologyandinequality.html

The National Bureau of Economic Research (NBER) is a United States based organization focusing on non-biased economic research. This paper gives a high level overview of the causes of inequality with respect to technology. This paper could be used, by analyzing the enumerated problems, in an attempt to reverse some inequalities.^[i.n.]

C.K. Prahalad and Allen Hammond. (2002) "Serving the World's Poor, Profitably." Harvard Business Review. September 2002. Available: http://www.hbr.org/2002/09/serving-the-worlds-poor-profitably.

The Harvard Business Review is a publication affiliated with Harvard University. This article lists ways that large businesses could help the disparate of the world while also serving their own interests. The ideas laid out in this piece could be used as a template for multi-national corporations as they attempt to start human-rights programs.