The Diamond Age is yet another terrible future that many readers take as awesome, for reasons I can never figure out. The Primer that everyone likes is mostly

The Diamond Age is yet another terrible future that many readers take as awesome, for reasons I can never figure out. The Primer that everyone likes is mostly just a human remote-teaching—certainly, the best parts of its outcomes are from that. One specific person caring very much and dedicating lots of time and focus to teaching this kid. Meanwhile, the mass-production Primer without that aspect is just a brainwashing device.