Final answer:
The digital divide refers to the unequal adoption of technology in society and is affected by various factors such as socioeconomic status. The resulting knowledge gap contributes to further inequality in opportunities and marketable skills relating to technology use. Planned obsolescence compounds these disparities by pushing continuous consumption of newer technologies.
Step-by-step explanation:
The concept that refers to the uneven adoption of technology in society, which can be affected by a person's desire to utilize a given technology, is known as the 'digital divide'. The digital divide represents the gap between those who have ready access to computers and the internet, and those who do not due to various barriers such as socioeconomic status, race, education, or geographic location. The fast pace of technological advancement contributes to this divide, as technology evolves more rapidly than some segments of society can keep up with.
Further reinforcing these disparities is the 'knowledge gap', which emerges when individuals who lack exposure to technology are unable to acquire the marketable skills necessary for many of today's jobs. This lack can affect students differently depending on the technology resources provided within their schools. Better-funded schools may offer more technological exposure compared to poorly-funded ones, leading to a stratification in technological proficiency and opportunities.
Planned obsolescence also plays a role in the adoption of technology, as it refers to the business practice where a product is deliberately designed to have a limited useful life or to become out of date quickly, thereby incentivizing continued consumption of newer versions. This can widen the digital divide as those with fewer resources may struggle to keep pace with the consistent need to update or replace technology.