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This is what happens when you give children the tools to succeed by teaching them math and science in ways that directly relate to their world view. Obviously,

This is what happens when you give children the tools to succeed by teaching them math and science in ways that directly relate to their world view. Obviously, this kid is very bright, but giving kids the tools to understand how the ideas they're learning can be applied in the real world is so satisfying. They aren't blinded by previous failures, or the current market, or what can and can't be done.

rhexs 5y ago
Maybe. It’s more like it’s what a kid’s parents do when kids can no longer be kids and are driven to start working on their college applications earlier and earlier. There’s more to life than getting into MIT.
- foolinaround 5y ago
  If the kid was innately driven to do this, a big win for the kid and for humanity... On the other hand, if the kid is 'coached' to look/identify, as you say, it is a sad state of affairs when kids are pushed into adulthood too soon... We have seen this for more than a decade also with the marketing practices around sexualization of fashion for younger and younger kids...
  - kartben_ 5y ago
    To briefly clarify on why I believe it is the former: Caleb just happened to have caught a really bad fungal pneumonia when he was 9yo, and that was his inspiration to explore what could be done to diagnose things differently. And he just happened to do tons of research to try and re-use open source technology, etc.
- alexk307 5y ago
  There's more to making electronics than getting into MIT and prestigious universities. I think a lot of the users on HN like myself enjoy creating things just to create them. I don't need prestige or accolades; just build something, break it, fix it, take it apart. Some people enjoy learning how things work.
mrits 5y ago
Sometimes you give the children these tools and they decide to do something they are more interested in. It is important to realize that not all children are interested in sciences.
- alexk307 5y ago
  Of course, no one should be forced to make things. But a lot of kids are naturally curious and can look at things in ways that are not obvious to adults.
  - cute_boi 5y ago
    But, by the law of nature, not all kids are prodigy. The normal distribution curve still holds, and the current society is putting too much pressure on them. Last time I visited India, I was shocked that parents were forcing their kids to learn IIT related thing in class 6. I encountered same thing in US, where kids were being prepared for competitive exams like SAT etc… Parents expect their children should go to prestigious universities like MIT and standford. The case is worst in China.
    - alexk307 5y ago
      Do you need to be a prodigy to wire up sensors and controllers? More pressure to learn how modern technology works? That should be a great thing. This exactly is the issue: not all kids are geniuses and not all kids are morons, but you'll NEVER know if you treat them like you think they deserve to be treated. If you believe that kids can't understand complex things, they of course won't because you won't explain it to them.
      - wizzwizz4 5y ago
        There's a difference between allowing people to learn what they're interested in, and forcing them to cram for standardised tests. The first one is the best thing that ever happened to me, and the second is among the worst. (I was the one forcing myself, but the point still applies.)

rhexs 5y ago

Maybe. It’s more like it’s what a kid’s parents do when kids can no longer be kids and are driven to start working on their college applications earlier and earlier. There’s more to life than getting into MIT.

foolinaround 5y ago
If the kid was innately driven to do this, a big win for the kid and for humanity... On the other hand, if the kid is 'coached' to look/identify, as you say, it is a sad state of affairs when kids are pushed into adulthood too soon... We have seen this for more than a decade also with the marketing practices around sexualization of fashion for younger and younger kids...
- kartben_ 5y ago
  To briefly clarify on why I believe it is the former: Caleb just happened to have caught a really bad fungal pneumonia when he was 9yo, and that was his inspiration to explore what could be done to diagnose things differently. And he just happened to do tons of research to try and re-use open source technology, etc.
alexk307 5y ago
There's more to making electronics than getting into MIT and prestigious universities. I think a lot of the users on HN like myself enjoy creating things just to create them. I don't need prestige or accolades; just build something, break it, fix it, take it apart. Some people enjoy learning how things work.

mrits 5y ago

Sometimes you give the children these tools and they decide to do something they are more interested in. It is important to realize that not all children are interested in sciences.

alexk307 5y ago
Of course, no one should be forced to make things. But a lot of kids are naturally curious and can look at things in ways that are not obvious to adults.
- cute_boi 5y ago
  But, by the law of nature, not all kids are prodigy. The normal distribution curve still holds, and the current society is putting too much pressure on them. Last time I visited India, I was shocked that parents were forcing their kids to learn IIT related thing in class 6. I encountered same thing in US, where kids were being prepared for competitive exams like SAT etc… Parents expect their children should go to prestigious universities like MIT and standford. The case is worst in China.
  - alexk307 5y ago
    Do you need to be a prodigy to wire up sensors and controllers? More pressure to learn how modern technology works? That should be a great thing. This exactly is the issue: not all kids are geniuses and not all kids are morons, but you'll NEVER know if you treat them like you think they deserve to be treated. If you believe that kids can't understand complex things, they of course won't because you won't explain it to them.
    - wizzwizz4 5y ago
      There's a difference between allowing people to learn what they're interested in, and forcing them to cram for standardised tests. The first one is the best thing that ever happened to me, and the second is among the worst. (I was the one forcing myself, but the point still applies.)