I don't remember who said this, but it was recently said that, "the future is here, but it's unevenly distributed". A lot of this has to do with economics beyond the scope of new media, however new media technology may be able to provide internet access to those who cannot currently afford it. I read an article about the development of a new technology which should provide affordable internet access to those who do not live near urban areas or big cities. The article is not very political, but the implications of the technology discussed in the article are.
"The future is already here, it's just not evenly distributed yet"
I think William Gibson said this. Interesting point about who's not online. I wonder if the web will change at all when the number of its users increases and the demographic shifts a tiny bit with that influx.
The excess amount of Fiber Optic cable laid down during the dot com bubble has lead to the crazy amount of outsourcing we have seen over the past ten years. Now, more than ever, people anywhere in the world with a good idea can be heard.
"It is better now to be a genius in Pakistan then an average person in New York."
- Bill Gates, in The World is Flat by Thomas Friedman