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Kids can't use computers, and why it should worry you

coding2learn.org

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Re: Kids can't use computers, and why it should worry you

#311

Post by exhilaration »

kyro wrote: post #231

This really, really hits close to home. I'm the oldest of 3 brothers, me 26, the youngest 21. I was always an 'experimenter' with computers, meaning I had no problem toying with the settings or clicking through unknown menus to find the solution to a problem. I toyed and tweaked until something worked, and that willingness to explore has helped me innumerable times throughout life. My brothers, for some strange reaso…

I'm the oldest as well and the most computer literate of my siblings. Have you considered that because we were there to fix their computer problems when they were young we eliminated the need for them to develop the skills (and comfort) we have with computers?

Re: Kids can't use computers, and why it should worry you

#312

Post by 300bps »

mrerrormessage wrote: post #236
grapeshot wrote: post #207

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I think part of the problem is that with the advent of the Internet, no computer comes with proper documentation that you can read to learn what a system does and how it does it. DOS was probably the last OS that could be completely described in its paper manual. Now learning about a new system has to be done through Google, experimentation and thoroughly inadequate help systems where it's very difficult to find an a…

linux is completely described by its source code.

It's only slightly less accurate to state that Windows is completely described by its binaries.

Both statements depend on your ability to devote time and appropriate expertise to discerning the documentation.

Re: Kids can't use computers, and why it should worry you

#313

Post by 300bps »

mhurron wrote: post #240
ryanmcbride wrote: post #140

Earlier quoted context omitted.

>So they trudge right over, notebook in hand asking me to recover their data. I got this in spades at my last job. We were a web app startup, and the youngest people in a 13 story building. Everyone in the building knew we did something with computers, so they would never hesitate in bringing us their ancient machines and ask us to fix it, ask us to fix their network, in one case, ask us to do their daughter's final…

> I got to see an authentic modem from 1999 Get off my lawn. You know ebay has them if you wanted to see them before, they're not museum pieces yet. Also, they do still have their uses. Kids these days ...

Seriously... this was my first modem from 1985.

http://i.imgur.com/1A3dvzh.jpg

Re: Kids can't use computers, and why it should worry you

#314

Post by angersock »

icebraining wrote: post #276
angersock wrote: post #133

Earlier quoted context omitted.

It's as if the scientific method never existed, life is magic, and knowledge can only be gained by truly extraordinary humans. That's exactly the problem with this. We get to support the idea that all humans are created equally and deserve the same rights and freedoms, or we get to have that mindset. It's a bad spot to be in.

There's no such dichotomy; the other choice is, supporting the idea that humans are not all created equally, but still consider they deserve the same rights and freedoms. And I'd rather have a mass of idiots (which I don't think most people are) ruling than an elite of people who consider themselves superior to others. At least the former are less likely to successfully torment me for my own good.

"supporting the idea that humans are not all created equally, but still consider they deserve the same rights and freedoms."

So, er, why? If you acknowledge that people aren't equally capable and endowed, what sort of sense does it make to place the same legal requirements on them?

Why should I be required to see as far as somebody else when driving? Why should I be prevented from making API requests on a public system (when I know how to do so safely) when somebody less trained or malicious would bring on down time?

It's far better simply to say that either everyone has the same capabilities, or to say that they ought be afforded benefits and restrictions that match their talents and deficiencies. Doing neither is unfair nonsensical from a societal standpoint.

As for the mass of idiots, no. I'd rather have a ruling elite, because they presumably be reasoned with--or removed in favor of a better elite. A mass of morons weighs heavily upon us, especially in the disinformation age.

Re: Kids can't use computers, and why it should worry you

#315

Post by phusion »

Regardless of the attitude of the author, I loved this article. I'm 30, been in IT since 1999 or so and recently I've thought that maybe the younger generation would start filling positions that I'd normally be a shoe in for. This is not the case, they're great at web apps and wasting time online, but when it comes to hardware, networking concepts etc.. they're lost. It's sad, but it also makes me feel secure :)

Re: Kids can't use computers, and why it should worry you

#317

Post by angersock »

fantnn wrote: post #124
angersock wrote: post #101

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I've written several paragraphs elsewhere in this thread explaining my feelings on the article and on other comments--try to hold yourself to a higher standard than merely saying "other guy is right article is bad" without backing up your points. Having commenting privileges on a forum does not automatically validate your opinion--at least give us a stacktrace.

The fact that you think that verbal regurgitation of pedantic bullshit is more of a response than my "this guy is a teacher, wtf" response is probably the same reason this guy felt able to judge someone who had trouble with her computer when he couldn't configure a proxy on a Mac. You calling content filtering on a school network draconian is also ridiculous, this article blows.

So, again, would care to explain why my classification of content filtering as draconian is bullshit? Or in what ways the article blows?

You're coming off as a stupid troll, unable to articulate thoughts of disagreement and using cursewords in attempt to lend weight to an otherwise vapid position.

So, how about this: try to come off as a smart troll, and do a better job of explaining yourself than just simply bleating "bah pedantic bullshit bah bah". Use your words.

Re: Kids can't use computers, and why it should worry you

#318

Post by KVFinn »

I've had some experiences in the opposite direction.

A neighborhood kid, about 12, asked me for some computer help with Minecraft. My jaw hit the floor when he started asking about stuff I didn't learn until college -- he was doing this crazy redtone circuitry (stuff like http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Oc6spHvGPtQ) to program the doors in a castle according to timers and various inputs.

The kid was basically teaching himself hardware design just to play a game. And it wasn't considered that weird, this was just what you have to do in Minecraft.

Re: Kids can't use computers, and why it should worry you

#319

Post by brandon272 »

300bps wrote: post #309
brandon272 wrote: post #234

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I detect a lot of resentment in your post that could all be avoided by just saying "No, sorry, I can't fix your computer."

I detect a lot of resentment in your post that could all be avoided by just saying "No, sorry, I can't fix your computer." So I should lie to them? Because that's what I would be doing. The truth is that I can fix their computer. To make that a truthful statement it would have to be, "No, sorry, I won't fix your computer." Has a bit of a different ring to it, doesn't it?

You can tell them whatever you want. The point is that you're saying, "No".

I don't have time to be fixing friends and acquaintances computers and I have no qualms about telling them that. I've never had anyone give me a hard time about it. A lot of people assume that because you are knowledgeable that you may want to fix it, a point of view which is only reinforced when you gladly take their broken computer and return it to them repaired without putting up a fuss about it.

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