Divided by Design

Computer Ethics:
My initial view was that computer ethics is not entirely new, but rather involves ancient moral principles that are amplified by technology. The digital divide reinforces this view, though it might feel new for those in the midst of the divide. The core issues are still fairness and responsibility. I still believe technology increases the scale and distance between decision-makers and consequences. When systems are built from behind screens and then become ubiquitous in everyday life, it becomes easier to ignore those affected. The digital divide shows how this distance can make exclusion invisible to those who are not experiencing it. It reminds me of a ruler living in comfort while remaining unaware of the labor and suffering that sustain that comfort. That’s an effect of the gap. What appears to be efficiency or progress for some can quietly limit opportunity for others. The divide does not introduce a new moral problem, but it certainly intensifies existing ones by embedding them into digital systems that shape education, work, healthcare, and participation in society.