- Top Features:
- War Room
- Glenn Greenwald
- Broadsheet
- Joan Walsh
- Camille Paglia
- Since You Asked
- Follow Salon:
Read other letters about this article
Part of the problem is that the included language isn't easy enough. i.e. Ruby, Python, etc. are still not going to be as logical or close to the metal as Basic was. I learned basic when I was in TaG as a kid. It was a good jump start into programming. And now that's my career. I meandered into Biology and English literature in college, but I think that experience programming on the Commodore 64 and committing to tape definitely helped me to love to learn to tinker. So it wasn't a big jump for me to use Linux full time later in life when I started working as programmer.
Anyway, I think the point Mr. Brinn didn't make well enough, aside from the above, is that even if one of these languages were as easy as Basic, they're rarely included and never intrinsic to the operating of the machine, unless you're talking about Linux. On Windows you have to jump through hoops that most kids today just won't do. They'll spend all day customizing their MySpace page, but can't be bothered to even learn HTML, much less JavaScript, much less Ruby. It is sad, but I think it's a natural progression of the fact that users have become so abstracted from operating their computer to the point where it's a tool or an entertainment device or a news receptor, used to do things far far beyond strict "computing".
Someday as horsepower outstrips the computers we use today there will come a time where socialization and understanding the rules of business and communication are far more important than the actual programming. The language will be 4GL or 5GL and all the kids will need to know is how to communicate well enough or how to design for the end user. And as heavy consumers and avid socializers (using their computers), I think in a strange way they'll be uniquely placed to thrive in the programming environment of the future.
