Laptops and tablets are the most distraction-prone pieces of technology yet invented. That anyone would expect dropping them into the hands of children to increase their consumption of traditional rote-learning curricula is just bizarre.
The article's point about basic infrastructure is right on. What allows me to really concentrate and be productive with my $n-thousands of dollars in computing hw/sw is that I'm in a relatively comfortable, relatively calm environment with easy access to a bathroom and snacks.
[That, and I've hacked my way into responsibilities that are adventure-like. Totally agree with fellow-commenter's reference to The Diamond Age.]
Take those things away, and the primary use for my laptop becomes either a) distracting myself from the fact that I'm uncomfortable, or b) using the laptop to procure some combination of peace, bathrooms, and snacks.
Startup idea: "like Foodler, only for toilets and earplugs!"
The article's point about basic infrastructure is right on. What allows me to really concentrate and be productive with my $n-thousands of dollars in computing hw/sw is that I'm in a relatively comfortable, relatively calm environment with easy access to a bathroom and snacks.
[That, and I've hacked my way into responsibilities that are adventure-like. Totally agree with fellow-commenter's reference to The Diamond Age.]
Take those things away, and the primary use for my laptop becomes either a) distracting myself from the fact that I'm uncomfortable, or b) using the laptop to procure some combination of peace, bathrooms, and snacks.
Startup idea: "like Foodler, only for toilets and earplugs!"