[wplug] Kids can't use computers

[Mike Sussman]

On Wed, Aug 13, 2014 at 12:00 PM, <wplug-request at wplug.org> wrote:

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> Today's Topics:
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>    1. Kids can't use computers (Justin Smith)
>    2. Re: Kids can't use computers (John Lewis)
>    3. Re: Kids can't use computers (Zachary Uram)
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> ----------------------------------------------------------------------
>
> Message: 1
> Date: Tue, 12 Aug 2014 22:09:50 -0400
> From: Justin Smith <justin at adminix.net>
> Subject: [wplug] Kids can't use computers
> To: wplug at wplug.org
> Message-ID: <5437631.Mz9lcJApWp at galahad>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"
>
> I was going through my bookmarks earlier this evening and I came across
> this really great article from a little while ago that nails the common
> misconception that kids and young adults are technical geniuses just
> because they're on Facebook, iPhone, etc.
>
> http://www.coding2learn.org/blog/2013/07/29/kids-cant-use-computers/[1]
>
> It's a bit long, but it's a /very/ good read. Just think: by knowing how
> to use
> Linux and subscribing to this mailing list, you're head and shoulders above
> the everyday masses.
>
> ...well, maybe not you Ubuntu guys.
>
> (I kid!)
>
> --
> *Justin Smith*
> GNU/Linux System Administrator
>
> /"Any fool can use a computer. Many do."/
>
> --------
>

Is this really a good read?  It sounds to me like an "old programmer"
complaining that "kids these days have it easy: in my day, we had to ..."
(fill in your own early experience: use a keypunch, use a Teletype at 115
baud, use a TRS-80, use an Apple ][,  use a Macintosh, etc.) .  The new
ways are usually easier and usually require less of some types of expertise
and more of other types.  If you had to program everything in 8080
assembly, would you be a better programmer or would you just be less
productive?

There are surely several classes of computer person.  Some only want to use
a computer as an appliance.  Some want to be able to generate
applications.  Some want to put their own computers together from
commercial parts.  Some want to design new computers with new
capabilities.  Which are the "real" computer people?  Each of them, when in
a small group of similar friends might ridicule people outside their own
speciality. And everyone makes silly mistakes such as forgetting to turn on
the wifi switch.

In the 70s, 80s, and 90s, people learned about the guts of computers
because that was the only way to get to use them.  Kids became experts in
computers because they had the time to learn.  People who wanted to use
computers without learning the arcane details needed kids to help them.
Now, kids learn how to use social media without learning the arcane details
of computer systems, and people who need help with arcane details need to
go elsewhere for help.  Sounds like progress to me.
-----------
Mike Sussman