I'm aware it's anecdotal evidence; I was just trying to counter your generalization. I still agree with your basic premise that people should not teach their children things that are not true. However, the simple fact is that the parents don't see themselves as lying to their kids. Nor can you categorically state that those kids turn out wrong because they were misinformed as children.
Basically, I have a problem with this attitude because it's unduly hostile. The way to convince people to give their children good educations is not to tell them that they're bad parents and their kids will be flipping burgers. For one thing, in many cases it's not true and they know it.
I am trying to figure out what the Ester bunny would be... maybe it would be fruit-scented.:)
While I agree that they're doing their kids a disservice, somehow I don't think the valedictorian of my high school, who is currently pursuing a chemistry degree, sees herself as a burger flipper or an enemy of math and science. After all, the whole point of ID is that it's trying to be scientific. Failing, of course, but still trying.
The one kid. Sitting in the same spot below me every day in astronomy, hacking away at solitaire as if it offered some kind of intellectual stimulation. Ay me.
I do know some people who bring their laptops to the library or to class and actually use them, and others who find laptops handy for gaming. Mine, however, never left my desk. The only clear benefit it had over a desktop computer was that I could bring it home easily over the holidays. Now that it's met its demise, I'm investing in a nice portable mini-case instead. It's more cost effective and it's easier for me to repair on my own.
In short, unless their public school system is laptop-friendly, it's unlikely a teenager is going to really need one, if some college students don't even make use of them. Buy them a desktop computer and a memory storage device instead.
Slashdot Mirror
I'm aware it's anecdotal evidence; I was just trying to counter your generalization. I still agree with your basic premise that people should not teach their children things that are not true. However, the simple fact is that the parents don't see themselves as lying to their kids. Nor can you categorically state that those kids turn out wrong because they were misinformed as children.
:)
Basically, I have a problem with this attitude because it's unduly hostile. The way to convince people to give their children good educations is not to tell them that they're bad parents and their kids will be flipping burgers. For one thing, in many cases it's not true and they know it.
I am trying to figure out what the Ester bunny would be... maybe it would be fruit-scented.
While I agree that they're doing their kids a disservice, somehow I don't think the valedictorian of my high school, who is currently pursuing a chemistry degree, sees herself as a burger flipper or an enemy of math and science. After all, the whole point of ID is that it's trying to be scientific. Failing, of course, but still trying.
The one kid. Sitting in the same spot below me every day in astronomy, hacking away at solitaire as if it offered some kind of intellectual stimulation. Ay me. I do know some people who bring their laptops to the library or to class and actually use them, and others who find laptops handy for gaming. Mine, however, never left my desk. The only clear benefit it had over a desktop computer was that I could bring it home easily over the holidays. Now that it's met its demise, I'm investing in a nice portable mini-case instead. It's more cost effective and it's easier for me to repair on my own. In short, unless their public school system is laptop-friendly, it's unlikely a teenager is going to really need one, if some college students don't even make use of them. Buy them a desktop computer and a memory storage device instead.