I like the three tenets of techno-skepticism. I do not want my grandchild living in the false embrace of digital intrusions. But I extend techno-skepticism to digital ID. I do not want my grandchild living in the manacles of state control, like the poor kids of Australia, Great Britain, etc. The same dark incentives for control & manipulation exist at this level, that exist in the tech/AI space.
I’m very frustrated by this horrible development and the narrative that’s growing around it.
These tech companies were openly evil and anyone pointing it out was told it was a moral panic. There was total media and academic narrative control around tech, just like we saw with Covid and other issues.
By 2010, the vulgar wave was in full effect, and hardcore pornography had made its way into the life of a majority of men’s lives, forever changing heterosexual dynamics, emasculating men, and endangering women and girls.
As the consequences play out, let’s not forget how we got here.
As late as 2010, liberals and libertarians alike had totally capitulated to Pornhub terrorizing and demoralizing our children.
They knew, they just honestly believed it was no big deal. Many still argue it’s no big deal.
Why would you give your teenage son a cell phone in 2010?
You gave Pornhub a direct pipeline to his brainstem.
Anyone pointing out the obvious catastrophe that was unfolding was shouted down and accused of moral panic.
It’s summer break, and we’re struggling with our 10 year old and the iPad. Unless he has a new toy, all he wants to do is be on the iPad. We try really hard to limit his use, and he has no social media, but there’s an incessant draw from the device. Even at 10, he knows this. My high school students know this. Yet, they find it really hard to turn away. Kids need our help to limit the temptation.
I taught without screens until COVID. Then, I moved completely to an LMS. Next year, I’m going back to pen/pencil and paper. You’re absolutely right; if a student has an Internet-connected device, they’re going to be distracted.
I'm so old, I remember when people objected to students using those new-fangled calculators in math class. Indeed, if a calculator does your calculating you can lose (or fail to develop) the ability to process information empirically. Understanding the process is every bit as important as getting the right answer. More so, really.
Back in the day, I would traverse unfamiliar places by asking directions. I would study a map and find the best route. Now, we have GPS. These are wonderful conveniences, but they do not expand our minds, they cause them to atrophy.
Just bought a new 2026 car. Just like my 2008, which I traded, I don't plan on using GPS, and when I have used it, at home, where I live, it is often WRONG. I make it a point to call places I need specific directions for, like a hotel. This way, I speak to a person and get landmark indicators so I don't get lost. It works.
I like the three tenets of techno-skepticism. I do not want my grandchild living in the false embrace of digital intrusions. But I extend techno-skepticism to digital ID. I do not want my grandchild living in the manacles of state control, like the poor kids of Australia, Great Britain, etc. The same dark incentives for control & manipulation exist at this level, that exist in the tech/AI space.
I’m very frustrated by this horrible development and the narrative that’s growing around it.
These tech companies were openly evil and anyone pointing it out was told it was a moral panic. There was total media and academic narrative control around tech, just like we saw with Covid and other issues.
By 2010, the vulgar wave was in full effect, and hardcore pornography had made its way into the life of a majority of men’s lives, forever changing heterosexual dynamics, emasculating men, and endangering women and girls.
As the consequences play out, let’s not forget how we got here.
As late as 2010, liberals and libertarians alike had totally capitulated to Pornhub terrorizing and demoralizing our children.
They knew, they just honestly believed it was no big deal. Many still argue it’s no big deal.
Why would you give your teenage son a cell phone in 2010?
You gave Pornhub a direct pipeline to his brainstem.
Anyone pointing out the obvious catastrophe that was unfolding was shouted down and accused of moral panic.
I’m extremely pissed off.
It’s summer break, and we’re struggling with our 10 year old and the iPad. Unless he has a new toy, all he wants to do is be on the iPad. We try really hard to limit his use, and he has no social media, but there’s an incessant draw from the device. Even at 10, he knows this. My high school students know this. Yet, they find it really hard to turn away. Kids need our help to limit the temptation.
I taught without screens until COVID. Then, I moved completely to an LMS. Next year, I’m going back to pen/pencil and paper. You’re absolutely right; if a student has an Internet-connected device, they’re going to be distracted.
It's hard, but just get rid of the iPad. Replace it with real-world stuff -- books, paints, clay, whatever.
Stay with it--iPads aren't the answer to his "boredom."
I'm so old, I remember when people objected to students using those new-fangled calculators in math class. Indeed, if a calculator does your calculating you can lose (or fail to develop) the ability to process information empirically. Understanding the process is every bit as important as getting the right answer. More so, really.
Back in the day, I would traverse unfamiliar places by asking directions. I would study a map and find the best route. Now, we have GPS. These are wonderful conveniences, but they do not expand our minds, they cause them to atrophy.
Just bought a new 2026 car. Just like my 2008, which I traded, I don't plan on using GPS, and when I have used it, at home, where I live, it is often WRONG. I make it a point to call places I need specific directions for, like a hotel. This way, I speak to a person and get landmark indicators so I don't get lost. It works.
New to your substack amd so appreciate your articles for the Atlantic. Come you please share your syllabus again here?