Nation of Nincompoops

[Ellis Bell]

Originally Posted by Neuling

I am more worried about character than skills. Skills such as reading an analog clock or tying shoe laces can be learned at any age if necessary, after all today's young are at least as intelligent as the older generations.
But there are things that are hard to change once they get into people's minds, for instance attitudes, ideals etc.
For example, I would not allow my kids to spend a lot of time on video games (none on violent games). There are kids who spend hours on that stuff. I grew up playing outside, taking care of our bunny in the garden, etc. and although my reaction time was probably a bit slower than that of modern youths, I guess the way I grew up was a good one. Speed didn't play any role back then.

I don't know Neuling. I could travel pretty fast on my bicycle.

I brought the computer into our home. I guess that's like my parents bringing the TV home. My kids didn't take to it at first. It wasn't until I was gifted one specific for the kids that it took root. Now I don't service my computer, my oldest boy (25) he does what I use to do.

When they were growing up, I tried introducing them to the football, the basketball, the baseball and the Frisbee and they were not interested. Just as I really wasn't all that interested in the TV, when I was young.

I believe we have what we have always had, a group following their interests. My oldest is a mechanic. He took a car from a junk yard, he fixed it up and sold it. He got such a rush from doing that, he wants to do another one. Granite I'd rather see him working for IBM (thus why I brought the computer home to begin with) but he is happy, working on cars. Go figure.

He is also learning Linux in his own time, so---I'm hopeful.

As far as me. The computer can be gone tomorrow and I'd just go, hum, guess c-d will be missing me. As for as jobs, I've been away from the office environment for probably to long now (10 years) and the computer will see to it, that I can't get back to those jobs.

I don't see that our kids are dumbed down, or nincompoops, I believe they are what we always have been, following our interests.

If I were to grow a garden in the back yard, there would be some one in the family to come along and help me with that, if for no other reason--to eat. If ready.gov was to happen...we could do, I have confidence in us as a family to learn from each, what the other has to offer.

[Neuling]

Well, whatever it is, I think kids should grow up in a more physical outdoor way, they will be sitting around more than enough once they have a modern job
When I grew up we didn't have much of a choice, there were no computers or video games, yet (at least not where I was living). We had one TV set, the pride of the living room, but my parents' taste did not quite match mine
Even though I have had to do with computers for a long time now, I never had any interest in them, they are just like a modern version of the typewriter to me. Everything beyond that - programming, IT, etc. - seems quite nerdy to me.

I guess the ideal way to grow up is like the kids from Lassie or the Waltons