[patrickaljord]

When the economy improves, the poor live better and there are less of them living in the worst conditions. Otherwise, the economy wouldn't be improving. Call that uplifting, or social mobility or any other hip buzz word if you like. Doesn't change the fact that by helping the economy and creating jobs, the internet helps the poor by default. I witnessed it myself when living for years in the third world but it's a well known fact too that the internet helps the economy and creates jobs (and therefor helps the poor). Maybe you need to live in the third world for a while to see the direct positive impact the internet has on the poor and get out of your bubble.