3 ms·

What the post seems to be getting to is a separation into three age bands, characterized by "computers as a mystery" (born roughly before 1970, with a very wide

by usrusr 9y ago

What the post seems to be getting to is a separation into three age bands, characterized by "computers as a mystery" (born roughly before 1970, with a very wide variance to account for different levels of exposure pre-1995) , "computers as tools" (born before 1990?) and "computers as media" (younger than that). Even people not technically inclined at all had to jump through so many hoops when they wanted to play a game, write a report or check their email once a week that they appeared near-magical to their parents. Some people seem to expect "digital natives" (the "computers as media" generation) to continue that, but we kind of knew this would not happen when the playstation pushed desktop gaming into a niche, right? I don't think that there is anything wrong with the term "digital native", except for some misled expectations some people associate with it.

KGIII 9y ago
Just to throw this out there, I was born in 57 and there are really good odds that you have been impacted by my code in one form or another. Trivially related, I'd like to preemtively apologize for some of that code. I am not actually a programmer, I'm a mathematician. I programmed out of need, until I was able to hire qualified professionals. Sadly, I did not stop there. I am a pretty horrible programmer.
- usrusr 9y ago
  The “1970“ is certainly not a strict threshold, but I do think that it can legitimately be seen as a bit of a watershed regarding out-of-field computer skills. (sorry, I can't consider a mathematician who wrote impactful software truly out-of-field, no matter how blessed with humility) Take for example brick and mortar architecture students. Most of those born mid 1970ies would at one point have put a lot of research in speccing out their personal CAD machine, learn how to apply cracks for the piracy countermeasures of the day and design multiple generations of less and less inadequate personal backup strategies. Their peers ten years older? None of that DIY, most would probably have jumped straight from paper to a professionally supported workstations. Their peers twenty years younger? Walled garden app stores.
  - KGIII 9y ago
    I am definitely out of band. While I did some EE coursework, I've taken zero CS courses. I have a Ph.D., but took one single course in C. I only programmed because I had to. I only did IT because I needed to. I don't know where the barrier is. I can explain how a CPU works, the various protocols for some networking, etc... Those are what I'd say are at a superficial level. I haven't even built my own system - for years. My son knows a bit, though his older sister knows less of the technical aspect - and she's a physician. She is a bit older than him. I'm not sure if it is strictly an age thing, I guess.

by usrusr 9y ago

KGIII 9y ago

Just to throw this out there, I was born in 57 and there are really good odds that you have been impacted by my code in one form or another. Trivially related, I'd like to preemtively apologize for some of that code. I am not actually a programmer, I'm a mathematician. I programmed out of need, until I was able to hire qualified professionals. Sadly, I did not stop there. I am a pretty horrible programmer.

usrusr 9y ago
The “1970“ is certainly not a strict threshold, but I do think that it can legitimately be seen as a bit of a watershed regarding out-of-field computer skills. (sorry, I can't consider a mathematician who wrote impactful software truly out-of-field, no matter how blessed with humility) Take for example brick and mortar architecture students. Most of those born mid 1970ies would at one point have put a lot of research in speccing out their personal CAD machine, learn how to apply cracks for the piracy countermeasures of the day and design multiple generations of less and less inadequate personal backup strategies. Their peers ten years older? None of that DIY, most would probably have jumped straight from paper to a professionally supported workstations. Their peers twenty years younger? Walled garden app stores.
- KGIII 9y ago
  I am definitely out of band. While I did some EE coursework, I've taken zero CS courses. I have a Ph.D., but took one single course in C. I only programmed because I had to. I only did IT because I needed to. I don't know where the barrier is. I can explain how a CPU works, the various protocols for some networking, etc... Those are what I'd say are at a superficial level. I haven't even built my own system - for years. My son knows a bit, though his older sister knows less of the technical aspect - and she's a physician. She is a bit older than him. I'm not sure if it is strictly an age thing, I guess.