would-be journalist are today's morons
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| Author | Content |
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| notbob May 24, 2013 3:39 PM EDT |
Lordy, how I hate these types of posts. "Computers Are Today's Pencils" What a steaming pile of dung that statement is. The pencil is never once again mentioned in the body of that article. Not even alluded to. How the computer might have somehow replaced any other writing medium is also not even remotely explored. It's jes some lame article about how yet another supremely benevolent org is going to save the children from eternal digital ignorance by recycling destined-for-the-scrap-heap computers for their benefit. Excuse me while i blow chunks. Most of these so-called endowment/endearment --en-douchement!-- orgs are nothing more than "lookee me" orgs that last fer about 2 mos or until they discover trash sorters wanna be paid for all that dirty work, whichever comes first. I do my own recycling, having not bought a new desktop computer in 14 yrs, and buying old end-of-life boxes and running OS's that don't require cutting edge hardware. (cough- slackware- cough) to provide a cutting edge experience. BTW, I jes spent more on pencils --art, colored, watercolor/ink, sketching-- than I have on my desktop box. When my attorney and myself sit down to palaver, we both whip out legal pads and pens/pencils, not a slow-as-consumption touch screen tablet. Like the difference in playing a guitar and a mouse, tactile skills will never be obsolete. Even if I am saving for a Wacom Intous 3 (used!) digital input device. ;) |
| caitlyn May 24, 2013 4:09 PM EDT |
Wow, a comment where I disagree with every single word as well as the tone of the comment. That takes real skill. Like it or not, for those of us who believe in working to alleviate poverty the digital divide, the problem of digital haves and have nots, is a real one. All organizations like this don't disappear after two months. Look no farther than Ken Starks' Helios Project/Reglue for one organization that recycles computers and gets them into the hands of needy kids. Ken has been doing this successfully for years. So... your sneer at all such organizations is misplaced in the extreme. The comparison to pencils doesn't need to be restated again and again in a short article like this. The point is that computers are as essential today to a child's education as pencils were when I was growing up. That point is made clearly and the article then moves on to describe an organization that has been successfully recycling machines. Perhaps you missed this part: Quoting:Owning a personal computer has been made a reality for over 12,500 kids so farThat is the track record claimed by the Kramden Insititute. Unless you have evidence showing that this claim is somehow false that is an impressive record. Kudos to them and to the author for bringing this work to the attention of the wider Linux and tech communities. |
| notbob May 24, 2013 6:19 PM EDT |
> Wow, a comment where I disagree with every single word as well as the tone of the comment. That takes real skill. I try my best. ;) Did you disagree with the word "attorney"? Howzabout "Wacom"? Tell us, is there anything you don't disagree with? > are as essential today to a child's education as pencils were when I was growing up. Oh? Really? A child is incapable of adding 2+2 unless it's on a computer? Newton take note, after you stopping spinning. > have evidence showing that this claim is somehow false I'd love to see evidence it is "somehow" true and they will be around in 6 mos. where I took my old gear: http://www.accrc.org/ Been there for years, never charged a cent. No brag. They jes do it. Unlike where I live now and the local Kiwani's have a once per yr drive and charge me $$$. Or the local dump that charges $10 per anything and it all still ends up in a Chinese or African strip site. If the Kramden Inst is all that, I applaud them and wish them well. But, don't tell me a child MUST have a computer to survive and learn. Yes, they are an amazing resource. But, have teachers all died? Have libraries disappeared? Are books now banned? The only ppl that would have us believe the computer is an absolute necessity are computer makers/marketers. Oh, and ppl who make a living perpetuating such a ludicrous myth. |
| caitlyn May 24, 2013 7:40 PM EDT |
No, a child must not have a computer to learn. They just are at a terrible disadvantage without one. Information is power. Self-empowerment and making the most of educational opportunities today requires a computer with Internet access. That's ben recognized by American leaders on both the right and the left, everyone from our current President to Newt Gingrich. It is not a myth. You have to be willfully blind not to see that. I'd say that the article is the evidence you want but you're ignoring it and throwing stones instead. Typical. |
| notbob May 24, 2013 10:51 PM EDT |
> No, a child must not have a computer to learn. ????? > They just are at a terrible disadvantage without one. Their brain becomes disabled? They suffer hearing loss w/o alsa? The brain synapses fail to connect w/o google? If so, we are in deep shit I'll be the first to sing the praises of the computer and internet access. It's like an entire library's reference section at yer fingertips. Plus, saves gas driving to the library. But, if the computer is the only way we can acquire knowledge, we may as well shoot ourselves in the head and get it over with. Amazingly, we suffered a prolonged power failure, today, and the world did not come to an end. My brain continued to function without being plugged in. ;) |
| caitlyn May 24, 2013 10:56 PM EDT |
It actually looks like you have suffered critical brain failure or that your brain is disabled. Sure, we can acquire knowledge other ways. A child who doesn't learn how to use a computer and isn't comfortable online will not succeed academically beyond a certain level and will not be equipped to get a job in the modern world. They will be greatly disadvantaged. In a wealthy nation that prides itself on equal opportunity, yes, we should be insuring that every child has a computer so that they can learn and compete with their peers academically. Since the government isn't doing that it falls to organizations like Reglue and like the one in the article. |
| kikinovak May 25, 2013 6:13 AM EDT |
Once a week, I work in a school for "difficult kids" in South France. One of the many problems we face are "addictions numériques" in their various forms. Kids unable to be *without* any iPod, iPad, laptop, cell phone, whatever. What kids need, in this particular order: their parents (or other adults') attention, toys adapted to their age (drawing books, wooden trains, etc.), sports and "outside" activities (climbing on trees etc.), hearing stories, reading books, listening to music, making music, etc. What kids definitely don't need: computers and TV. There's always time for this later on. If you disagree, then come and see for yourself: http://www.scholae.fr |
| lietkynes May 25, 2013 6:47 AM EDT |
Before I disagree slightly with you kikinovak, let me point out where I _do_ agree. Kids should not own iPads and their laptop usage should definitely be controlled (loosely so as to allow a certain degree of freedom). Obviously if the kid is interested in programming, I might be inclined to allow more time on the laptop than if he/she is merely gaming. Cellphones are a harder topic. Thankfully I am too young to make some of these tough decisions. However, let me give you my angle on the matter. How I was raised and how I turned out...and therefore what I would do if I had a kid now. To give you some reference, I am 23. Despite my age, I was raised until the age of ~13 with little access to a computer (the only computer in the house was largely out of my reach). However, I was allowed to watch TV. I was allowed to choose what I watched (within reason) although the hours were controlled. Apart from the healthy dose of cartoons, a large chunk of my choices revolved around watching documentaries. As soon as I had access to computers, I begun compiling a database of information on whales (my interest at the time). Now, I can only imagine how much more I could have accomplished had I had the access to the rich internet of today. I agree that parents are the most important part of a kids life and education. I don't agree, however, with the blanket statement that you present in your third paragraph. I am currently workin towards a PhD in Materials Science. Of course I owe part of my choices to the fact that both my parents are scientists. But I will never neglect the positive effect that watching TV had on my way of thinking. Possibly I am not the norm, but if this is the case, then let me just again point out the danger in your blanket statement. I don't agree with it because it challenges part of the driving force for what I am today. I would never allow myself to take away such powerful sources of knowledge and curiosity. I have faith in television and computers because of who I am today. That is all. Hopefully, I expressed what I wanted to express in an effective manner. However, it is very late... |
| notbob May 25, 2013 9:07 AM EDT |
> It actually looks like you have suffered critical brain failure or that your brain is disabled. Are you attacking me? It sounds like you are attacking me. Hey everybody, caitlyn is attacking me!!!! Help! Police! Fire! Admins! Rape, pillage, plunder ...attacked, I am being!! Caitlyn is attacking me! Attacked! By caitlyn! I! Me! Caitlyn ....forum pet.... attacking! Waaa!! |
| caitlyn May 25, 2013 12:56 PM EDT |
I don't need to attack you, notbob. All I need to do is give you the rope. You take care of the rest all by yourself. |
| BernardSwiss May 25, 2013 6:53 PM EDT |
Quoting:="notbob"] > It actually looks like you have suffered critical brain failure or that your brain is disabled. Oh wow -- someone who can take it (with a sense of humour, yet), as well as dish it out! Quick! Somebody boot him off of teh internets -- he obviously doesn't belong here. |
| kikinovak May 26, 2013 3:17 AM EDT |
@lietkynes: I'd say there's computers and computers. Back in 1983 (I was sixteen years old) I worked a whole summer as a waiter in a restaurant to buy my first computer, a Commodore VC-20 with a whooping 3,5 kilobyte RAM. I spent days and weeks and months and years learning and practicing BASIC and Assembler from books and computer magazines. This pretty much set the foundation for my actual computer knowledge. But I guess if I was sixteen years old now, I'd probably be using a computer like the average kid does today. Facebook, porn and movies. |
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