levnew wrote:

>While I am in complete agreement with you, I did wonder if a
>conceptual parallel would be the advent of the automobile.
>
>We embraced it, didn't necessarily understand (or care) how it worked
>and now find outselves in the grip of a society dependent on foreign
>oil as a result.
>
>Do you think that the same educative principles would have applied here?
>  
>
Well, personally I believe that people still have problems with doorbells:
http://www.knowprose.com/node/1306

In an odd sort of way, I'm forcing my visitors into a 'technology
blackout'. They've been naughty, and I have revoked their license... :-)

But you make some good points... and I have one question at the end of
the quote below:

>If so, then comparatively speaking, would our society be far better
>off if we understood the inner workings of the internal combustion
>engine or it is enough to understand the fact that it burns gas and
>gives off pollutants as a result which will have a devastating effect
>on our world down the road...and what we as a society need to think in
>terms of doing about it?
>
>I guess where I am trying to go with this is this: while I thoroughly
>enjoy the history or how the computer evolved, the Internet developed
>and the world changed as a result and all the critical analyses
>thereof, it that necessary to make me a responsible user of computing
>resources?  My time as a technology educator in the classroom is
>precious and minimal. Some days I feel that it is far better spent
>teaching them about responsible computing, ethics, dangers of
>chatting, the importance of information management and how acquiring
>technology literacy will be foundational to their future than about
>DARPA, the difference between analog and digital and the difference
>between a LAN and a WAN.  It just seems to me we are still playing
>"catch up" and I think for now, it is a luxury we cannot afford.
>  
>
I wonder if we're spending too much time giving people answers to
questions they don't have, instead of having them find the right
questions to ask?


-- 
Taran Rampersad

[EMAIL PROTECTED]

http://www.linuxgazette.com
http://www.a42.com
http://www.knowprose.com
http://www.easylum.net

"Criticize by creating." — Michelangelo

_______________________________________________
DIGITALDIVIDE mailing list
[email protected]
http://mailman.edc.org/mailman/listinfo/digitaldivide
To unsubscribe, send a message to [EMAIL PROTECTED] with the word UNSUBSCRIBE 
in the body of the message.

Reply via email to