Galt's Gulch

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  • Posted by ObjectiveAnalyst 10 years, 7 months ago
    The benefits of this technology are great. With all new technology there is potential for abuse. Many expensive gadgets will be stolen/lost at the expense of the taxpayer. I fear these children will be shortchanged and helpless if for some reason they can't charge their batteries. How many young people do you run into nowadays behind a counter that can't make change? They are wonderful supplements, but there is no substitute for basic education (3Rs) when preparing one for interaction in the real world.
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  • Posted by CircuitGuy 10 years, 7 months ago
    I completely agree that children, esp young children, don't need to be encouraged to have screen time.
    OTOH, I think tablet computers will replace books and will also replace some of the desktop lab equipment I currently use in my job.
    I didn't fully understand the disastrous breach of security thing, but I think they said the kids hacked the computer so they use the computers to socialize and do things the adults didn't like them doing. This is great! Don't do what I tell you. Use your brain and make what you want happen! We should make them harder to hack, but not so hard they can't do it, so they fight to get out of the box adults want to put them in. I don't want to hear them grow up and say, "I did what I was told! I went to school. I took out loans, just as I was told. Now give me a job!" I want them ignoring what they're told.
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    • Posted by $ johnrobert2 10 years, 7 months ago
      That way lies anarchy and chaos. Yes, I want them to think outside the box for how else will we go to the stars. But they must learn to do so within certain constraints wherein they control those impulses to destruction for its own sake. We already see that enough today.
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      • Posted by khalling 10 years, 7 months ago
        I'm surprised they weren't selling them. technology is disruptive. some kids may download AS and the movies. it breaks them out of Common Core and shows they are thinking.
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        • Posted by CircuitGuy 10 years, 7 months ago
          Yes. If you try to keep them away from Ayn Rand, the more interesting it becomes. It's like trying to force kids not to smoke or take drugs. It paradoxically makes it cool. Since ancient times people have known that people by their very nature refuse to obey a benevolent dictator's demand that they not eat from the tree of knowledge of good and evil.
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      • Posted by CircuitGuy 10 years, 7 months ago
        I agree there are limits, but I fundamentally like people who _take action_ to push the limits in an intelligent way. Sometimes they'll be wrong. But pushing the limits pushes society forward. I may have to fight certain actions I don't like, but I much prefer people who _take action_ to those who don't, even if that means I have to deal with people taking actions I must resist b/c they're wrongheaded. I like a little dose of anarchy and chaos. I like to think the world, and eventually the solar system, are big enough to make room for people who take crazy ideas and run with them with no regard whatsoever to my opinion.
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        • Posted by $ johnrobert2 10 years, 7 months ago
          More than likely, what we get is a VERY large dose of anarchy or a VERY large dose of tyranny, neither of which is palatable to civilized people. I agree that gadflies are essential to moving things forward. They are not tolerated well because they make people uncomfortable with what they have always known. There is a word which describes those who will not change even when shown the efficacy of the new way. It' s called 'extinction'. In a way, I am arguing your case for you but, by the same token, too much at once is too disruptive of order and can have dire consequences.
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  • Posted by Spinkane 10 years, 7 months ago
    One TV, one family in a living room. I wanted to watch Batman, my mother said “put on Flowers for Algernon” I thought it was going to suck! on the contrary. I agree with OA about the 3 R’s. I have experienced a cashier frozen with the inability to make change or demonstrate problem solving like doing Rithmatic on a piece of paper.
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  • Posted by Hiraghm 10 years, 7 months ago
    Someone, I think it was Heinlein, said, "Do not handicap your children by making their lives too easy". (rough quote)

    I am opposed to the use of any computers in school by students prior to 6th grade. At that point they can be introduced in limited ways.

    I'd much rather see 1st graders learning how to write legibly (or even in cursive) than see them poking at iPads.
    Especially since Android is outselling iOS now.
    (much rather kids were using a $79 tablet than a $400 iPad, if they have to)
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