I learned all the basics of computers when I was 10 from Minecraft. Learned basic life concepts from there much earlier. I learned file directories from modding Java edition. Learned networking from multilpayer. Get an error message? Read it, Google and try to figure out how to fix it. Learned some Java coding around age 12 from a modding lesson program my parents got me. Also learned electronic skills and soldering at the same age from disassembling broken stuff and savaging motors to make stuff.
If kids are given a difficult, nerdy interface in one hand, and all the world’s knowledge in the other, they’ll be genius. If they’re given an iPad they’ll have no idea what a folder is, much less a MAC address.
This is why all children should start on a $100 ThinkPad running Arch Linux, a cheap rooted phone, and Firefox with the links to stack exchange and arch forums bookmarked for them.
I learned all the basics of computers when I was 10 from Minecraft. Learned basic life concepts from there much earlier. I learned file directories from modding Java edition. Learned networking from multilpayer. Get an error message? Read it, Google and try to figure out how to fix it. Learned some Java coding around age 12 from a modding lesson program my parents got me. Also learned electronic skills and soldering at the same age from disassembling broken stuff and savaging motors to make stuff.
If kids are given a difficult, nerdy interface in one hand, and all the world’s knowledge in the other, they’ll be genius. If they’re given an iPad they’ll have no idea what a folder is, much less a MAC address.
This is why all children should start on a $100 ThinkPad running Arch Linux, a cheap rooted phone, and Firefox with the links to stack exchange and arch forums bookmarked for them.
Thanks for coming to my TED talk.