Re:The Distribution of Users’ Computer Skills: Worse Than Yo...
by thmsths on Tuesday December 06, 2016 @05:14AM
(#13113550)
It might be some kind of bias but I have always felt like when it comes to cars average Joe is at least capable of changing a tire, but when it comes to computers the very same person does not even seem to try.
Re:The Distribution of Users’ Computer Skills: Worse Than Yo...
by throwanem on Tuesday December 06, 2016 @06:16AM
(#13113772)
Changing a tire takes some elbow grease, but the nature of the problem and the steps involved in the task are all pretty obvious. It might take 20 minutes or a half hour if the lugs are really tight, but you can grasp the whole problem in just a few seconds' thought.
Little if anything to do with computers manages to be so intuitive.
Computer technology follows the same trajectory because most people purchase technology for solving tasks, not because they have a craving for complexity. So "computer literacy" is about as important to society as "motor literacy".
Common sense is as important as ever, though. I.e. having a repository of background knowledge to be able to detect bullshit, fake news, and propaganda on the internet. That's the kind of old school literacy that we need.