The Distribution of Users’ Computer Skills: Worse Than You Think (2016)

Re:The Distribution of Users’ Computer Skills: Worse Than Yo... by smileysteve on Monday September 23, 2019 @11:17AM (#21049684)

> These people know something is wrong with their car and probably couldn’t afford to get it fixed.

But, without cursory knowledge of car issues, that decision is unwise, negligent at worst. A car breaking down in the center of traffic has negative externalities. A car fire (152k/year) has negative externalities. A tire or brake failure resulting in an accident has negative externalities.

Even the seemingly innocuous check engine light being on from emissions equipment has negative externalities.

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Re:The Distribution of Users’ Computer Skills: Worse Than Yo... by scarface74 on Monday September 23, 2019 @11:24AM (#21049763)

I’m not saying it is a wise decision. No one would say not paying your rent and being evicted is wise either. Poverty forces you to make bad choices sometimes.

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Re:The Distribution of Users’ Computer Skills: Worse Than Yo... by smileysteve on Monday September 23, 2019 @11:51AM (#21050036)

So this is where the analogy works; It's wise that the average person be able to perform moderate computer skills; similar to it's wise for anybody with a car to be able to accurately assess risk by knowing enough about cars.

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