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There needs to be a, "third way" developed that isn't, "FOSS/Open Source" or, "Proprietary." It's worth remembering how much of the revolutionary computing of t

There needs to be a, "third way" developed that isn't, "FOSS/Open Source" or, "Proprietary." It's worth remembering how much of the revolutionary computing of the 194/5/60's was developed using models that tactfully combined private and public industry. Programs like ARPA provided funding for open ended research which gave us the Alta and the ARPANet (thanks Lick!) while companies like IBM performed an important social function in providing especially young engineers with cutting edge jobs during their golden era. There's a vivid history on this subject that's worth looking into. https://press.stripe.com/the-dream-machine https://press.stripe.com/the-dream-machine If we're going to be adults about the thing-- Developing technology requires global or at least national stability. Global stability traditionally has, "required" global hegemony. Developing technology allows the United States and her allies to to remain technically ahead of competing nations which in a feedback loop allows for the development of further technology. There's a sideways argument that in truth, in some sense, that the technology we, "ought" (Hume) to be using in schools should be, "nationalized" in the same sense that the, "internet" as a tangible infrastructure is a, "national" resource. Imagine a kind of Sudbury School where children use advanced, "democracy computers" to, "rehearse" avid citizenship given the political constraints of our society. The computer could facilitate a social revolution in an educational setting if used in this manner. I really do think this is what Alan C. Kay is talking about when he says, "the computing revolution hasn't happened yet." Also HyperCard! and Project Xanadu! and Blackjack! and Hookers! (Exclamation point!)

germinalphrase 4y ago
“ …children use advanced, ‘democracy computers’ to, ‘rehearse’ avid citizenship given the political constraints of our society” What does this mean?
- kwatsonafter 4y ago
  Sorry I get a little too, "Dr. Evil finger quotes" sometimes. The idea I'm trying to share; inspired by the work of Brenda Laurel (Purple Moon). Try to consider a kind of digital machine that works kind of like a video game in that it might keep a child or young adult's attention for a period of time-- try to consider the failings of, "educational software" as it's come to exist in that it typically tries to, "trick" a young person into doing, "schoolwork in a manner that resembles a kind of video game" (Mario Teaches Typing). Ok. Consider an alternative-- a kind of digital space where a young person can utilize a digitally interactive experience to rehearse morally challenging situations or to practice good citizenship in an intellectually and aesthetically stimulating manner. The idea is that this kind of machine might have the ability to revolutionize education by facilitating the self-learning of sophisticated moral concepts. Consider the critical intersection between contemporary politics, education, and computers. In Europe the result of continually increasing rates of literacy as a result of the invention of moveable type resulted in critical political and social revolutions (The American Revolution being one of them). The question is-- could a sophisticated form of dynamic media facilitate a kind of sociopolitical revolution or paradigm shift in human culture? Following from the invention and proliferation of print it seems possible. It's also worthwhile to consider what Socrates said about books (...) Do kids need a sophisticated machine to play make believe? I don't think so personally.

germinalphrase 4y ago

“ …children use advanced, ‘democracy computers’ to, ‘rehearse’ avid citizenship given the political constraints of our society” What does this mean?

kwatsonafter 4y ago
Sorry I get a little too, "Dr. Evil finger quotes" sometimes. The idea I'm trying to share; inspired by the work of Brenda Laurel (Purple Moon). Try to consider a kind of digital machine that works kind of like a video game in that it might keep a child or young adult's attention for a period of time-- try to consider the failings of, "educational software" as it's come to exist in that it typically tries to, "trick" a young person into doing, "schoolwork in a manner that resembles a kind of video game" (Mario Teaches Typing). Ok. Consider an alternative-- a kind of digital space where a young person can utilize a digitally interactive experience to rehearse morally challenging situations or to practice good citizenship in an intellectually and aesthetically stimulating manner. The idea is that this kind of machine might have the ability to revolutionize education by facilitating the self-learning of sophisticated moral concepts. Consider the critical intersection between contemporary politics, education, and computers. In Europe the result of continually increasing rates of literacy as a result of the invention of moveable type resulted in critical political and social revolutions (The American Revolution being one of them). The question is-- could a sophisticated form of dynamic media facilitate a kind of sociopolitical revolution or paradigm shift in human culture? Following from the invention and proliferation of print it seems possible. It's also worthwhile to consider what Socrates said about books (...) Do kids need a sophisticated machine to play make believe? I don't think so personally.