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> ...As if somehow Minecraft isn't real, running on real circuits, on real hardware, making impressions on real brains. It's a virtual world. Our kids were not

> ...As if somehow Minecraft isn't real, running on real circuits, on real hardware, making impressions on real brains. It's a virtual world. Our kids were not at all thinking about the Java bytecode that went into running it, or the x86_64 machine code that ran the JVM, etc. > Question: Are they nearly as enthusiastic about building "real" circuits? My 10-yo son was thoroughly loving the electronics kit we bought, making LEDs light up in different patterns depending on which SPST switch you pressed.

NoodleIncident 12y ago
I guarantee they aren't thinking about the semiconductors in the LEDs, either. They love it because its a system with logical rules that they can experiment on and learn. It's the learning process itself that's the important part, not what specifically they are learning about.
gknoy 12y ago
Have you considered how you might feel about your children modeling circuits or hardware in minecraft? Disk drives, memory controllers, and calculators have all been implemented in Redstone circuits, which seem to be an even deeper level than most consumer grade circuitry-tinkering lets one do. Moreover, there's less exposure to solder vapors, no chance of burning, and an ability to undo/redo, not to mention show it off to their friends or to you in a "cool" way. Imagine how much your son might like it if you were to let him wire up more than LEDs, and instead do things like create a castle or amusement park or train system controlled with in-minecraft circuits.
- tripzilch 12y ago
  > no chance of burning where I work, they let children work with soldering irons too, and at first I very much wondered about the safety of this. turns out, soldering irons aren't all that hot to do serious damage[0]. the worst they can generally do is a minor first-degree[1] burn wound and a seriously valuable learning experience. what remains is a chance of fire hazard if they forget to switch things off. this obviously is a parent/teacher's responsibility. (btw I agree with your general point, this is just an addition, from experience) [0] unless you poke them in the eye, but there are a lot of objects you shouldn't poke in someone's eye. [1] it takes some effort to get a second degree burn from a soldering iron, it can be done in theory, by accident, I've never seen it.
dragonwriter 12y ago
> It's a virtual world. Our kids were not at all thinking about the Java bytecode that went into running it, or the x86_64 machine code that ran the JVM, etc. And...so? Why is it a bad thing to be able to work at a higher level of abstraction?

NoodleIncident 12y ago

I guarantee they aren't thinking about the semiconductors in the LEDs, either. They love it because its a system with logical rules that they can experiment on and learn. It's the learning process itself that's the important part, not what specifically they are learning about.

gknoy 12y ago

Have you considered how you might feel about your children modeling circuits or hardware in minecraft? Disk drives, memory controllers, and calculators have all been implemented in Redstone circuits, which seem to be an even deeper level than most consumer grade circuitry-tinkering lets one do. Moreover, there's less exposure to solder vapors, no chance of burning, and an ability to undo/redo, not to mention show it off to their friends or to you in a "cool" way. Imagine how much your son might like it if you were to let him wire up more than LEDs, and instead do things like create a castle or amusement park or train system controlled with in-minecraft circuits.

tripzilch 12y ago
> no chance of burning where I work, they let children work with soldering irons too, and at first I very much wondered about the safety of this. turns out, soldering irons aren't all that hot to do serious damage[0]. the worst they can generally do is a minor first-degree[1] burn wound and a seriously valuable learning experience. what remains is a chance of fire hazard if they forget to switch things off. this obviously is a parent/teacher's responsibility. (btw I agree with your general point, this is just an addition, from experience) [0] unless you poke them in the eye, but there are a lot of objects you shouldn't poke in someone's eye. [1] it takes some effort to get a second degree burn from a soldering iron, it can be done in theory, by accident, I've never seen it.

dragonwriter 12y ago

> It's a virtual world. Our kids were not at all thinking about the Java bytecode that went into running it, or the x86_64 machine code that ran the JVM, etc. And...so? Why is it a bad thing to be able to work at a higher level of abstraction?