3 ms·

When you don't have to struggle to learn the basics of how to use something, you won't develop the mental model of operation you can carry forward. We (Late X,

When you don't have to struggle to learn the basics of how to use something, you won't develop the mental model of operation you can carry forward. We (Late X, millenials) did have to struggle just to operate a computer. We had to build a mental model to work around inadequate tools in the OS and beyond. Younger people have had adequate tools to interact with computers, so they've never been forced to build that mental model - to build an intuitive understanding of how a computer works. So, yeah, it's not too surprising to me. They can absolutely learn such models, but it's going to take more effort and intentional digging for rough spots to do so. For the most part, it's not like we can just give them a '95 PC with Windows 95 and say "go for it."

eldaisfish 3y ago
this is an interesting angle. on the topic of tools, i want to add something i rue - the loss of printed instruction manuals. My iphone can do a lot and has many features but most are useless to me because one - there is no printed manual i can use (a screen is a sub-par replacement) and.. two - the discoverability is terrible. With more things moving mobile-first, the discoverability of features is just gone. there’s a delicate balance between the capability of software and the east of use. TeX comes to mind a a good example.
- falcolas 3y ago
  > the loss of printed instruction manuals Even digital `man` pages would be nice sometimes. Not the watered down "Help" pages. > With more things moving mobile-first, the discoverability of features is just gone. I'm on the fence about this one. Curiosity will drive a lot of discoverability, but the "locations" of features changes so quickly that all your prior discovery is rendered moot. "I know this feature exists but can't find it," is little different from "This feature doesn't exist."
- Given_47 3y ago
  Consult the geniuses (no pun intended) that patrol the Apple help forums!! But yea it’s terrible. Whether intentional or not, ignoring “power users” cuz they’ll figure it out regardless vs coddling the rest and not overwhelming them sucks ass
plastic3169 3y ago
Fixing houses, crafts of different sorts, knitting, cooking etc. have always been old peoples game. Computers will be the same. There was a moment in history young people were on top, but in the future if you have trouble with tech your best bet is to find the oldest computer person you know and ask for help.
Given_47 3y ago
It’s insane. I don’t wanna generalize but anecdotally (I’m gen z or whatever is younger than millennial), it’s staggering how illiterate most peers are. Several times I’ve explained memory in the “u ever have a bunch of tabs open, Spotify, and some game, and now it starts buffering and ur fans go nuts” very simple way and it’s enlightening to them. And not even having the willingness to learn the basics of these tools you use for hours daily breaks my brain. The profit optimization which tries to drive the barriers to entry for usability to the ground are a big problem too. Removes incentive/requirement to learn about it for those that needed it. And personally I cant stand using my iphone while my gen seems perfectly content with navigating pop ups and unblockable mobile youtube ads and profiling and no customizable workflow etc. I find it sad as fuck that tech is trending toward the masses blindly accepting what’s served to them but I guess that’s the way most things have gone.

eldaisfish 3y ago

this is an interesting angle. on the topic of tools, i want to add something i rue - the loss of printed instruction manuals. My iphone can do a lot and has many features but most are useless to me because one - there is no printed manual i can use (a screen is a sub-par replacement) and.. two - the discoverability is terrible. With more things moving mobile-first, the discoverability of features is just gone. there’s a delicate balance between the capability of software and the east of use. TeX comes to mind a a good example.

falcolas 3y ago
> the loss of printed instruction manuals Even digital `man` pages would be nice sometimes. Not the watered down "Help" pages. > With more things moving mobile-first, the discoverability of features is just gone. I'm on the fence about this one. Curiosity will drive a lot of discoverability, but the "locations" of features changes so quickly that all your prior discovery is rendered moot. "I know this feature exists but can't find it," is little different from "This feature doesn't exist."
Given_47 3y ago
Consult the geniuses (no pun intended) that patrol the Apple help forums!! But yea it’s terrible. Whether intentional or not, ignoring “power users” cuz they’ll figure it out regardless vs coddling the rest and not overwhelming them sucks ass

plastic3169 3y ago

Fixing houses, crafts of different sorts, knitting, cooking etc. have always been old peoples game. Computers will be the same. There was a moment in history young people were on top, but in the future if you have trouble with tech your best bet is to find the oldest computer person you know and ask for help.

Given_47 3y ago

It’s insane. I don’t wanna generalize but anecdotally (I’m gen z or whatever is younger than millennial), it’s staggering how illiterate most peers are. Several times I’ve explained memory in the “u ever have a bunch of tabs open, Spotify, and some game, and now it starts buffering and ur fans go nuts” very simple way and it’s enlightening to them. And not even having the willingness to learn the basics of these tools you use for hours daily breaks my brain. The profit optimization which tries to drive the barriers to entry for usability to the ground are a big problem too. Removes incentive/requirement to learn about it for those that needed it. And personally I cant stand using my iphone while my gen seems perfectly content with navigating pop ups and unblockable mobile youtube ads and profiling and no customizable workflow etc. I find it sad as fuck that tech is trending toward the masses blindly accepting what’s served to them but I guess that’s the way most things have gone.