All it takes is a computer, hard work and dedication. The 'poor' manage to find the time to surf the net, why not spend the time learning how to build the net?
It's a simplistic idea, but it is definitely possible. I lived out of my car for months until I was able to turn it around by using my computer for something besides surfing MySpace.
I think the sad fact is that so many people are now in front of vast, utterly vast learning resources, and it just doesn't matter.
Rich or poor, there are numerous people sitting in front of extreme learning resources, and they'll never do anything with it unless there's this enormous infrastructure designed to remedy issues of motivation and planning. And that's where I think the difference is between rich and poor; yes, there are networking differences, yes, there are differences in local crime rate and other environmental stressors and so on, but the biggest factor is motivation.
I've seen a peer ditch school to go to the library to use public terminals, back at the time when computers still weren't that popular, and there was no Google or Wikipedia. But even then I could see that some people have a different heart -- starting from an early age, they had a yearning to learn that surpassed the praises of parents or the soothing structure of school.
The issue isn't access. The access is already intense for rich and poor alike. Most people don't possess the psychological traits to pursue their own intellectual growth. Almost everyone I've met, rich or poor, stop learning when society stops pressuring them. They may have high or low IQ, be rich or poor, but they are not interested in self-directed learning, at least not without strong external reasons like parents or social shame.
Access clearly isn't an issue for you, and that's good. Perhaps your peer didn't have access issues either and that's good too, but if you believe that access isn't an issue for some people, then you are inexperienced in dealing with some forms of poverty.
Perhaps in some places the library is the solution, but in Chicago, public access is limited to two hours a day. I don't know how much access you required when learning to program, but I needed more than two hours a day.
That is assuming that you can get a library card. For one, you need a verifiable address, which is easy to produce if you live in a home, but very difficult if you do not. Also, if you have violated your card in the past, perhaps due to a youthful indiscretion, you are shut out of the system unless you can monetarily recompense, which is also difficult to do when you are poor.
Not to mention that street gangs can make it challenging to leave your block to get the library in some cases.
So while access has improved, to deny that it is an issue for some people because public libraries exist is glossing over the problem.
As both a lazy and a poor person I think there's definitely a significant proportion who could work but can't be bothered to, who could get a better education but can't be bothered to.
I'm doing an online python course, but works busy at the moment and I missed my last deadline; I just can't be bothered, motivation is really hard to me (perhaps it is for everyone though).
That's not to say that there can't be many people, perhaps a majority, who are poor and disadvantaged by their poverty to an extent that locks them out of opportunities. I just think you have to be careful you're not saying "well sure he's lazy but looks he's poor so he can't help himself".
I can't afford that book could you say why you recommend it; our libraries here will order any book requested for a small charge.
I pointed out that both rich and poor people alike suffer grievously from issues of planning and motivation. The difference is that rich people get better access to the motivation and planning infrastructure.
I also imply that most people, when placed in front of vast access to knowledge, will do nothing with it.
It's also why great online education resources have failed to achieve revolution. Giving kids access to Khan Academy isn't enough; because too many people would rather visit another website.
don't think he said that... lack of motivation affects the non-poor too... A motivated person found ways to improve even when access was not as easy as it is today.
It's a simplistic idea, but it is definitely possible. I lived out of my car for months until I was able to turn it around by using my computer for something besides surfing MySpace.