One of the things I think is under appreciated is that it's not like the poor don't have money. They do, they just can't afford to waste it on $15 a pop food delivery. But at the same time, it's hard for poor people to spend money efficiently. The yuppie who shops at Costco is getting a better price on food than someone who lives in an urban food desert. Is there a technical solution to these inefficiencies? I bet there is.
I think the biggest, most fundamental problems facing at least the urban poor is the breakdown in social structures in these communities. And social networking technology could help here. There just needs to be a focus shift from helping teenagers sext each other and get laid to helping their parents make sure they're not cutting class.
One of the things I think is under appreciated is that it's not like the poor don't have money. They do, they just can't afford to waste it on $15 a pop food delivery. But at the same time, it's hard for poor people to spend money efficiently. The yuppie who shops at Costco is getting a better price on food than someone who lives in an urban food desert. Is there a technical solution to these inefficiencies? I bet there is.
I think the biggest, most fundamental problems facing at least the urban poor is the breakdown in social structures in these communities. And social networking technology could help here. There just needs to be a focus shift from helping teenagers sext each other and get laid to helping their parents make sure they're not cutting class.