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That's like saying, if a kid doesn't want to eat his vegetables or go to school, he shouldn't have to, right? Many people don't have the opportunity to learn h

That's like saying, if a kid doesn't want to eat his vegetables or go to school, he shouldn't have to, right? Many people don't have the opportunity to learn how to use a computer. But having basic computer skills is a prerequisite to most entry-level, non-service jobs, and is becoming an increasingly important part of our social fabric. I would agree with your statement as it applies to people who know about/how to use the internet, and simply don't care. But not for the portion of the population that can't afford the resources or education.

mhurron 11y ago
> That's like saying, if a kid doesn't want to eat his vegetables or go to school, he shouldn't have to, right? It's nothing like that, unless you belive society should act like, and have the same powers as, your parents.
- roymurdock 11y ago
  That is in fact the role society should (and does) play in cases where biological parents fail to provide their children with certain basics, such as nutrition and education.
  - mhurron 11y ago
    Really? You belive that society should be able to force adults to eat healthy? Because that is actually what we're talking about, adults, not children.
    - roymurdock 11y ago
      My argument was based explicitly on the premise that we were discussing computer/internet education and literacy, which is something that many children do not grow up with or have access to. To your other point: Not force, but encourage. I sure as hell don't want to pay the higher taxes needed for a medical system to take care of growing levels of obesity and the expensive procedures that are required for individuals whose health problems are directly correlated to poor nutritional choices. It's any persons's choice whether or not to eat healthy, but I would argue that a truly mature individual would recognize his/her decision's impact on the greater society that he/she is a part of, and take social welfare into account when making a decision. This prescience, not age, is what truly separates a child from an adult.

mhurron 11y ago

> That's like saying, if a kid doesn't want to eat his vegetables or go to school, he shouldn't have to, right? It's nothing like that, unless you belive society should act like, and have the same powers as, your parents.

roymurdock 11y ago
That is in fact the role society should (and does) play in cases where biological parents fail to provide their children with certain basics, such as nutrition and education.
- mhurron 11y ago
  Really? You belive that society should be able to force adults to eat healthy? Because that is actually what we're talking about, adults, not children.
  - roymurdock 11y ago
    My argument was based explicitly on the premise that we were discussing computer/internet education and literacy, which is something that many children do not grow up with or have access to. To your other point: Not force, but encourage. I sure as hell don't want to pay the higher taxes needed for a medical system to take care of growing levels of obesity and the expensive procedures that are required for individuals whose health problems are directly correlated to poor nutritional choices. It's any persons's choice whether or not to eat healthy, but I would argue that a truly mature individual would recognize his/her decision's impact on the greater society that he/she is a part of, and take social welfare into account when making a decision. This prescience, not age, is what truly separates a child from an adult.