4 ms·

As a counterpoint, I started programming when I was 5, and have known what I wanted to do since I was 7 (shortly after writing my first program that someone els

by ygjb 12y ago

As a counterpoint, I started programming when I was 5, and have known what I wanted to do since I was 7 (shortly after writing my first program that someone else used). I did my first commercial software project when I was 16, and got stuck in 'trying new things' for several years because people (for example, parents, family, teachers) around me told me that I didn't really know what I want. Doing that set back my career by several years over where I could have been. If this was happening at an earlier age, it would be more questionable, but for the vast majority of human history people already knew what they would be doing for their lives and had training and experience by the time they were 16. She is young enough to change her mind, and will still finish high school. As for the social aspect, did you miss the part where she will attend a different education program?

Someone1234 12y ago
Your anecdote doesn't apply here so it isn't a counterpoint. You knew "when [you were] 5" in contrast to the article: > Last year I kind of coerced my daughter into taking a Web Design class at her high school. Just one year and since 5-7 aren't the same or even ballpark. > She is young enough to change her mind, and will still finish high school. I don't follow. She won't be attending High School as her parents have withdrawn her. > As for the social aspect, did you miss the part where she will attend a different education program? Mostly with people much older than her. Look at some of the programs, they're adult education (i.e. people changing careers, or in-place of college). It is harder to socialise with people in different stages of their lives.
- DavidAdams 12y ago
  The article states that she's going to finish high school online.
  - rev_bird 12y ago
    The general theme of the conversation down here seems to be around how "high school online" is a very, very different experience than "high school in high school." Socially, in particular.
- ygjb 12y ago
  > Your anecdote doesn't apply here so it isn't a counterpoint. Sure it does. When I was 16, despite knowing what I wanted to do, I succumbed to pressure from my parents and other family to 'try different things', which held me back. > She won't be attending High School as her parents have withdrawn her. Read, don't skim. She will attend classes to focus on development, while completing high school requirements online. > Mostly with people much older than her. So? My brother went to trade school and learned how to fix cars with people much older. My sister went to trade school and learned to be a hair stylist with people much older. Like it or not, with industry looking to automate away the vast majority of blue collar work, software development skills will become a basic skill requirement and blue collar workers will be implementing the rules that automation follows, while white collar software development jobs will be the work creating the automation systems. (This is a massive simplification of some of the changes, but hey, I have a day job so I can't spend all day commenting :D) Bottom line, the student will get a high school diploma, a marketable skill set, and a chance to be an early adopter of the disruptive changes to primary and secondary education that have been coming over the last generation.

by ygjb 12y ago

Someone1234 12y ago

Your anecdote doesn't apply here so it isn't a counterpoint. You knew "when [you were] 5" in contrast to the article: > Last year I kind of coerced my daughter into taking a Web Design class at her high school. Just one year and since 5-7 aren't the same or even ballpark. > She is young enough to change her mind, and will still finish high school. I don't follow. She won't be attending High School as her parents have withdrawn her. > As for the social aspect, did you miss the part where she will attend a different education program? Mostly with people much older than her. Look at some of the programs, they're adult education (i.e. people changing careers, or in-place of college). It is harder to socialise with people in different stages of their lives.

DavidAdams 12y ago
The article states that she's going to finish high school online.
- rev_bird 12y ago
  The general theme of the conversation down here seems to be around how "high school online" is a very, very different experience than "high school in high school." Socially, in particular.
ygjb 12y ago
> Your anecdote doesn't apply here so it isn't a counterpoint. Sure it does. When I was 16, despite knowing what I wanted to do, I succumbed to pressure from my parents and other family to 'try different things', which held me back. > She won't be attending High School as her parents have withdrawn her. Read, don't skim. She will attend classes to focus on development, while completing high school requirements online. > Mostly with people much older than her. So? My brother went to trade school and learned how to fix cars with people much older. My sister went to trade school and learned to be a hair stylist with people much older. Like it or not, with industry looking to automate away the vast majority of blue collar work, software development skills will become a basic skill requirement and blue collar workers will be implementing the rules that automation follows, while white collar software development jobs will be the work creating the automation systems. (This is a massive simplification of some of the changes, but hey, I have a day job so I can't spend all day commenting :D) Bottom line, the student will get a high school diploma, a marketable skill set, and a chance to be an early adopter of the disruptive changes to primary and secondary education that have been coming over the last generation.