Latest news with #Feinman
Yahoo
14-04-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
Inequality isn't inevitable, according to ‘unprecedented' archeology study
A team at Chicago's Field Museum has published a first-of-its-kind study analyzing 10,000 years' worth of wealth disparity across six continents. The results, published on April 14 in the journal PNAS, contradict many longstanding assumptions about inequality's inevitability and how societies organize over time. America's wealth disparity is arguably wider than it has ever been in modern history. But such economic injustice—even when not as stark—isn't necessarily the unavoidable result of population growth or governmental policy. 'The traditional thinking expects that once you get larger societies with formal leaders, or once you have farming, inequality is going to go way up,' Gary Feinman, the Field Museum's MacArthur Curator of Mesoamerican, Central American, and East Asian Anthropology and paper lead author, said in a statement. 'These ideas have been held for hundreds of years, and what we find is that it's more complicated than that.' Feinman and colleagues focused on what he described as an 'unprecedented' dataset that includes 50,000 homes located across 1,000 archeological sites around the world. In particular, they used house size and evidence of decorative ornamentation as indicators of wealth or poverty. 'Variability in the sizes of houses may not be the full extent of wealth differences, but it's a consistent indicator of the degree of economic inequality that can be applied across time and space,' said Feinman, citing his own fieldwork experience. '[I]the Valley of Oaxaca, Mexico… almost always, the larger the house, the more elaborate the house, with special features and thicker walls,' he explained. The team used the house measurements to help calculate what's known as a Gini coefficient. (Although a eugenicist and prominent Italian fascist during and after World War II, Corrado Gini's namesake remains a frequently used statistical measurement to assess a region or population's economic inequality.) The coefficient relies on a 0–1 range, with 0 representing total equality and 1 representing maximum inequality. The coefficients calculated from the data were then compared across time and space to examine how disparities varied depending on political system, population, and other possible factors. Researchers soon realized that the size of a society doesn't always align with an increase in inequality. For centuries, many experts have argued that the rise of formal governance, agriculture, and technological progress leads to disparity across socio-economic groups. Historians often point to ancient Greece and Rome, or European medieval societies, as generalized representations of humanity's collective past. 'High degrees of inequality are not inevitable in large societies,' said Feinman. 'There are factors that may make it easier to happen or increase to high degrees, but these factors can be leveled off or modified by different human decisions and institutions.' Researchers argue in their paper that human choice, governance, and cooperation can play vital roles in minimizing inequality. What's more, economic strife doesn't need to be expected in larger populations or more hierarchical governments. 'And if inequality isn't inevitable… [then] the often-expressed views that certain economic, demographic, or technological conditions or factors make great wealth disparities inevitable simply are not borne out by our global past,' said Feinman.
Yahoo
24-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Broadband Program Changes Stir Uncertainty for Rural Black Communities
A promise made by former President Joe Biden to connect millions of Americans to reliable and affordable high-speed internet service may become another casualty of President Donald Trump's campaign to eliminate diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives across the nation. A top outgoing official at the U.S. Department of Commerce warned that funds for the Broadband, Equity, Access and Deployment Program, also known as BEAD, may be diverted to Trump adviser Elon Musk's satellite internet company, Starlink. The BEAD program provides $42.5 billion to states and territories to build and deploy high-speed internet to underserved areas. Evan Feinman, who until March 16 directed the program at the Commerce Department, wrote in an email last week that the broadband initiative — one of the centerpieces of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act — was in jeopardy. Just days later, on March 18, Federal Communications Commissioner Geoffrey Starks resigned from his position, cutting short his term that was set to expire in 2027. Starks was one of two Democrats and only Black commissioner for the FCC. Feinman argued that Starlink's connections, which rely on Musk's satellites, are inferior to using fiber optic cables, which is prioritized in the BEAD program. 'Stranding all or part of rural America with worse internet so that we can make the world's richest man even richer is yet another in a long line of betrayals by Washington,' Feinman wrote in the email. Politico first reported on Feinman's email. Expanding access to high-speed internet service, particularly in rural communities, is seen as a crucial step in alleviating the digital divide — the gap between those who can easily use, access, and afford technology, and those who cannot. Such disparities amplify the deep racial and economic inequalities in education, jobs, and health care for rural Black households in the South, where the greatest divide exists. The BEAD program is also seen as a key element of promoting equity and leveling the technological playing field for communities of color. However, there has been a lag in broadband deployment because of red tape, administrative delays, and the program's affordability requirements. Digital equity advocates say that such delays were to be expected because the program's initial timeline indicated it would take until 2026 to implement. Technology experts like Mignon Clyburn, a former FCC commissioner and the first woman to serve as acting chair, also expressed worry that significantly altering the program could result in some marginalized populations being left behind — including veterans, seniors, and households with low incomes. 'My communities have been ignored for too long. I want sustainable, affordable, robust technologies. Those people don't deserve to be cheapened. They deserve to have the best that our resources have to offer,' Clyburn said in an interview, emphasizing that the federal government needs to ensure 'that the people currently on the wrong side of the technology divide do not stay there throughout several more lifetimes.' Newly appointed Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick called for a 'rigorous review' of the BEAD program. He criticized Biden's regulations for the program and emphasized the need to overhaul it with a 'tech neutral approach' so that satellite services like Starlink could have a greater chance to participate in it. In recent years, Republican lawmakers have condemned the program because of its DEI labor requirements and other factors. But some of their Republican colleagues have pushed back against their efforts while advocating for their states to continue the work. In a statement, Lutnick said that he is adamant about 'ripping out the Biden Administration's pointless requirements.' 'The Department is exploring ways to cut government red tape that slows down infrastructure construction,' the statement read. 'We will work with states and territories to quickly get rid of the delays and the waste.' While Trump administration officials appear to prefer satellite over fiber internet, multiple experts said satellite doesn't fix the problem because it's not affordable, nor does it work in all regions. Starlink, which services 4 million people, uses satellites to connect internet service to dishes then to devices. Two years ago, the FCC denied Starlink's application for $900 million in subsidies for rural broadband because the company did not meet the service requirements, according to The New York Times. For residential service at homes, the price starts at $80 a month, according to its website. To assist those in need, the federal government created the Affordable Connectivity Program, which provided a discount of up to $30 per month ($75 for tribal households) toward internet service and mobile services, and a one-time discount up to $100 toward a laptop, desktop computer, or tablet for eligible low-income households. More than 23 million Americans were enrolled. However, Congress did not reauthorize the program. Since the program ended, 40% of Americans cut spending on food to afford internet service, whereas 36% discontinued telehealth services, a recent survey by the National Lifeline Association found. At least 80% of those who were enrolled live at or below the poverty line. The only other program available is the FCC's Lifeline Program, but recipients only receive a $9.25 monthly discount, which critics say isn't enough. Read More: Disconnected Rural Black America and the Digital Divide If consumers can't afford internet service, it undermines efforts to promote equity, said Brandon Forester, senior campaign lead at Media Justice. 'Having a low-cost option makes it more viable for an internet service provider to build out. That's also true about having digital equity practitioners. If they have people in the community that are helping people sign up for their services and are helping people use their services, that's a benefit,' Forester said. 'If we're getting rid of digital equity, that's another loss. When the lights go on on these networks, is there going to be anybody there to connect to them? Maybe, maybe not.' With the current program, installing fiber creates jobs and workforce development, which could be dismantled, said Alisa Valentin, broadband policy director at Public Knowledge. She also points to the hard work of state broadband offices and federal workers, and doesn't want it to be in vain. 'We want to ensure that broadband is deployed where it is needed the most to avoid wasting time and resources. We want to get this right. This is a historic amount of funds that I'm so proud that we were able to come together across government, across public interest organizations, across industries to make sure that this happens,' she said. 'We got to make sure we finish the job.' Beyond BEAD, advocates and experts say there are threats looming for other programs and legislation, including the Digital Equity Act, which provides $2.75 billion to establish three grant programs that 'promote digital equity and inclusion.' The Digital Equity Act increases access to digital technology, education, and economic opportunities. The uncertainty is forcing states to cease work, questioning the future of their programming. For example, in Texas, the broadband office paused grants and contracts because of the Trump administration's shift of federal priorities. There are some states moving forward despite the uncertainties. Clyburn said she doesn't foresee states rolling back the work they've done because they simply want to get to the finish line to connect communities, expand the workforce, build partnerships and 'level the playing field,' and they shouldn't be penalized over political bias. This is the time for advocates to keep fighting and doing the work, said Kristenn Fortson, communications director for the National Digital Inclusion Alliance. The organization brings organizers to Washington to speak directly to lawmakers about their experiences and importance of these programs. 'It's the grandfather who can now join his church virtually or FaceTime his grandchildren after being home bound for months. It's incarcerated women who are being taught digital skills so they can build a resume and successfully reenter society,' Fortson said. She added: 'We know from the history of any movement centered on equity and equality that nobody can really guarantee that for us; we have to fight for it. We keep on pushing for it like anybody else who's come before us, trying to make their communities a better place to live, a better place to thrive.' The post Broadband Program Changes Stir Uncertainty for Rural Black Communities appeared first on Capital B News.
Yahoo
18-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Top Broadband Director Warns of Musk Handout in Scathing Email Exit
The director of the largest federal broadband program in US history bid farewell to his colleagues in a spirited email Sunday morning. Among other things, he warns that millions of rural Americans could get stuck with slow internet speeds if rules are changed to favor Elon Musk's satellite internet company, Starlink. Until Mar. 16, Evan Feinman was the director of the BEAD program, a $42.5 billion fund passed as part of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act of 2021. In the email, first reported by ProPublica's Craig Silverman in a Bluesky post, Feinman sounds the alarm on proposed changes to BEAD. 'The new administration seems to want to make changes that ignore the clear direction laid out by Congress, reduce the number of American homes and businesses that get fiber connections, and increase the number that get satellite connections,' Feinman wrote. By satellite, he means Starlink. Amazon's Project Kuiper is also technically eligible for BEAD funding, but it currently only has two prototype satellites in the sky, compared to over 7,000 for Starlink. (Geostationary satellite internet providers like Hughesnet and Viasat are not eligible for BEAD funding because they don't meet its latency requirements.) BEAD's money is distributed to each state by the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA), which falls under the Department of Commerce. Under Biden's administration, the NTIA clearly favored deploying fiber to rural areas, which is widely considered the gold standard internet connection type. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick plans to take a more 'technology-neutral' approach to BEAD, according to a report published by the Wall Street Journal. That would benefit Starlink to the tune of $10 to $20 billion -- up from the $4.1 billion it was expected to get under the old rules. 'Some of the scary scenarios that I've been hearing from people close to NTIA and close to the Commerce Department would give 50% of the money or more to Elon Musk,' Gigi Sohn, the executive director of the American Association for Public Broadband, told CNET. 'Lutnick apparently believes, like Trump and like Musk, that paying for fiber instead of satellite is wasted money,' Blair Levin, a former FCC chief of staff and telecom industry analyst at New Street Research, told CNET. Fiber is expensive in many areas. A spokesperson for the Texas Comptroller told me in a previous interview that some rural households in West Texas would cost as much as $130,000 each to connect to fiber. How much BEAD money Starlink will be able to get could depend on where the NTIA sets that threshold. A source told me that the SPEED for BEAD Act -- a bill introduced in the House earlier in March -- originally included a cost threshold of $25,000 per location for fiber, but was later removed. If an area exceeded that number, the state's broadband office would be able to turn to 'alternative technologies' like Starlink. 'This is what [Feinman's] concerned about,' said Sohn, who worries the NTIA could set a price-per-location that heavily favors satellite. 'If we want to come back in five years and say, 'Oh gee, we still have a huge rural digital divide in this country,' then that's what we'll do.' Feinman's email argues that this shift from fiber to satellite would be a 'disservice to rural and small-town America.' This comes down to two issues with Starlink's service: speed and price. It hasn't proven it can meet BEAD's speed requirements, and at $120 per month in most areas, it's also far more expensive than most internet providers. Neither Starlink or Commerce Department spokespeople immediately responded to CNET's request for comment. Critics argue that Starlink's speeds don't meet BEAD's speed requirements: 100Mbps download speed, 20Mbps upload and latency under 100ms. The only one of those that Starlink is currently meeting is latency, and it's still significantly worse than the median in the US. 'This is a once-in-a-lifetime investment in broadband and to give it to expensive, slow service that's not scalable, that's not future-proof -- it's just throwing money down the toilet,' Sohn said. Ookla data shows that Starlink's speeds have actually dropped as more people have joined the network. (Disclosure: Ookla is owned by the same parent company as CNET, Ziff Davis.) Starlink has launched thousands of satellites since it debuted in 2019, but it's also added millions of additional users. Speeds have dropped even as Starlink sent thousands more satellites into the sky, and it's currently unavailable to customers in many US cities. 'I'm not sure Lutnick is aware of this,' Levin said. 'Starlink has a waiting list. They have a waiting list because they've run out of capacity.' Starlink has said publicly its new satellites will solve the capacity issues, but it hasn't proven it can do it yet -- especially if millions of additional homes connect through BEAD. 'As a future technology, it just doesn't cut the mustard,' Sohn said. A rule of thumb I've heard a lot in the internet world is called Nielsen's law, which states that a high-end internet user's connection speed grows by roughly 50% each year, doubling every 21 months. This has been true every year since 1983, and it's exactly what Feinman is worried about. Starlink may be good enough today -- and it hasn't proven it is by the FCC's own definition -- but it may not be able to handle applications of the future. A lot is in flux right now for BEAD. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick is expected to announce rules overhauling the program any day now, which helps explain some of the urgency in Feinman's email. 'Reach out to your congressional delegation and reach out to the Trump Administration and tell them to strip out the needless requirements, but not to strip away from states the flexibility to get the best connections for their people,' Feinman wrote to his colleagues. If you'd like to reach out to your elected representatives about changes to the BEAD program, you can download the 5 Calls app in the App Store or Google Play store. The app researches and writes scripts for various issues, identifies the relevant decision-makers and collects phone numbers for their offices.
Yahoo
17-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Commerce Official Gives Elon Musk Middle Finger Over Starlink
A top official at the Commerce Department warned in a scathing resignation letter that Elon Musk intends to get rich at the expense of rural Americans. Evan Feinman, the former director of the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment Program, or BEAD, which provides grants to expand internet access across the country, condemned the efforts of the billionaire bureaucrat—who also happens to own a satellite internet constellation that might directly profit from his dismissal. 'Stranding all or part of rural America with worse internet so that we can make the world's richest man even richer is yet another in a long line of betrayals by Washington,' Feinman wrote Sunday in a lengthy email to his colleagues, obtained by Politico. The BEAD program, overseen by the National Telecommunications and Information Administration, which is housed within the Commerce Department, was granted $42.5 billion in 2021 by Joe Biden's Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act to provide fast internet connection to millions of Americans. As of yet, no internet expansion projects have actually begun, though some states are closer to the finish line than others. In a statement earlier this month, Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick claimed that the Biden administration's 'woke mandates, favoritism towards certain technologies, and burdensome regulations' had prevented BEAD from connecting a single person to high speed internet. Lutnick promised an overhaul of BEAD that would include 'ripping out' the 'pointless requirements' imposed by the previous administration, but did not specify what steps that would include, or what regulations he intended to remove. The potential changes could offer a bigger piece of the pie to Musk's Starlink by adopting 'technology neutral' policies that will make way for the use of satellites in addition to fiber-optic cables. Starlink was expected to haul in around $4.1 billion under the existing rules but could rake in anywhere from $10 billion to $20 billion if Lutnick's changes are accepted. Feinman seemed to agree that the Biden administration had inserted some language for 'messaging/political purposes, and were never central to the mission of the program.' But he was concerned that Lutnick's changes could set the program back even further, as three states, Louisiana, Delaware, and Nevada, are currently trapped in limbo as they await approval from the National Institute of Standards and Technology. 'Shovels could already be in the ground in three states, and they could be in the ground in half the country by the summer without the proposed changes to project selection,' Feinman wrote. Feinman was concerned that the Trump administration would undermine BEAD to turn a profit, against the best interest of rural Americans, lawmakers, or even the telecommunications industry. He urged that officials 'NOT change it to benefit technology that delivers slower speeds at higher costs to the household paying the bill.' 'Reach out to your congressional delegation and reach out to the Trump Administration and tell them to strip out the needless requirements, but not to strip away from states the flexibility to get the best connections for their people,' Feinman wrote.
Yahoo
17-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Trump administration poised to ‘strand rural America with worse internet' to help Musk, official warns
Small town USA is facing a 'significant risk' that the Trump administration is going to abandon key elements of a $42.45bn Biden-era plan to connect rural communities to high-speed internet so that Elon Musk can get even richer, a top departing commerce department official warned in an email. Evan Feinman, who headed up the so-called Bead program for the last three years, urged governors across the country to lobby their congressional delations in Washington to stop the Trump administration from implementing plans he said could have 'deeply negative outcomes' for American homes and businesses. 'Stranding all or part of rural America with worse internet so that we can make the world's richest man even richer is yet another in a long line of betrayals by Washington,' Feinman said. A copy of the email, which was first reported by Politico, was seen by the Guardian. The Bead program, which stands for Broadband Equity, Access and Deployment, was passed with bipartisan support in 2021 and aimed to connect tens of millions of underserved homes and communities in rural America to high speed internet. In administering the program, the Biden administration called on states to favor a certain kind of broadband technology – fiber – because it provides reliable and affordable service to consumers. Howard Lutnick, the commerce secretary, has said he wants to re-evaluate the Bead program and make it technology 'neutral'. That change is likely to favor Elon Musk's company, Starlink, which owns about 62% of all operating satellites. It would be far less expensive for communities to be connected to high speed internet service through satellites, but most experts agree the service would not be as fast or reliable as fiber, and would cost consumers more. The buildout of fiber networks across rural communities was also expected to create tens of thousands of jobs. Some investments – like the creation of AI data centers – are also reliant on states having fiber connections. Musk himself as expressed disdain for the Bead program, once telling voters before November's election that he thought the program should be brought down to 'zero'. While the program has also been criticized by some Republican legislators for being too bureaucratic, it has been widely seen as a boon for rural states. But Lutnick's call for a review of the program has left states 'in limbo', Feinman said. In particular three states – Louisiana, Delaware, and Nevada – have already had their statewide plans to spend billions of dollars in Bead funding approved, but are now waiting for the federal government to release the funds. 'Shovels could already be in the ground' in those three states, Feinman said, were it not for the Trump administration's delays. But Feinman suggested it was not too late for US states to lobby the administration to tweak the program – like abandoning labor and wage-related provisions – but leave the most significant aspects of it unchanged. He said in his letter that the administration had not yet made decisions about whether states had to scrap plans they have for the buildout of fiber optic networks in their states and start fresh, or whether they would be allowed to proceed. 'Reach out to your congressional delegation and reach out to the Trump administration and tell them to strip out the needless requirements, but not to strip away from states the flexibility to get the best connections for their people,' Feinman wrote. The commerce department did not respond to a request for comment. Starlink has not commented on the possible change to the Bead program. Do you have a tip? Please contact or on Signal at 646-886-8761.
