> I really don't know what the modern day equivalent is This comes up on HN quite a bit, without a universal answer. I suspect that each respondent answers thr

> I really don't know what the modern day equivalent is This comes up on HN quite a bit, without a universal answer. I suspect that each respondent answers through the lens of what they remembered, or liked, about the platforms that were formative for them. Example: 1980s kids seem to have had formative computer experience where the computer was a self contained thing: no understanding of electronics needed, instant on, built in programming environment. Also there was a rich ecosystem of accompanying offline media, eg books on BASIC, magazines with program listings, etc. They gave their full attention to the machine. I also see people who grew up on Raspberry Pi and they have a different view, much more about hardware and pins and voltage. Equally valid but much more electronics-y. Also has a rich offline ecosystem. Of course modern hardware and OSes dont get close to either and so the closest experience is probably python in a browser, which really feels more like Learning for a Job than Fun with implicit Learning. The browser itself is an attention suck too - all too easy to switch away as soon as a little boredom sets in, and, as we know, boredom spurs creativity. I dont know if this exists, but a Switch-like platform with HDMI to the TV plus built in screen, BT keyboard, and a minimal, barely there OS might be one path. But it might still fail without the offline media. Maybe you sell it with an accompanying book of games you have to type in. Yeah, I know. Get off my lawn.