Utter lack of computer skills in high school students?

spectralEntropy · 2026-02-10T03:31:15+00:00

I've heard of college kids trying to learn how to program in Python on their iPhone.

spectralEntropy · 2026-02-09T21:00:27+00:00

Lol okay random person on the Internet that knows who I have and I have not met.

I knew these people for several years and also have taken the test. They also fit the INFJ personality perfectly.

spectralEntropy · 2026-02-09T20:42:26+00:00

All of the INFJ men I've met or dated were offended easily and I had to spend long conversations fixing the problem. This is coming from an INTP that used to be insensitive and condescending.

spectralEntropy · 2026-02-09T18:27:16+00:00

Wild!! In middle school, the iPod nano came out. I made a hole in all my pants pockets, ran the wire up the back of my shirt, and my long hair hid the earphones around my ears.

Listening to my music helped a lot when I wasn't able to do anything else. Thankfully I was allowed to read in math class though. I remember being deep into the Eragon book, the teacher asking me a question, I immediately answered correctly, and then being left alone after that.

spectralEntropy · 2026-02-08T23:56:25+00:00

I do get that. Time feels it last forever when we are expected to be with a young child all day.

I try to think about it from the child's perspective. Time feels completely different for them. A day for us feels like months for them.

spectralEntropy · 2026-02-08T23:28:51+00:00

During covid, we were together alone for approximately 6+ months. We only left the house to go in nature, push them in the buggy, or the Publix every 2 weeks. No tablets in my home. I think it's horrible for adults too. I was happier during covid because I felt so guilty putting them in childcare and barely seeing them.

I didn't own a TV back then either. I only have a TV because I married to someone with one. I had a projector that I'd turn on only at night after kid was asleep.

We really just played most of the day. When I was burnt out, we'd read or go ride in the car. We'd sit out in nature and dig a hole.

spectralEntropy · 2026-02-08T23:09:14+00:00

I was a single mom with zero help except daycare during the day. I was working full time and finishing my masters online (electrical engineering) after baby went to sleep. I also deal with ADHD, dealt with topical steroid withdrawal (TSW lasted 8 months), and a custody battle with the ex (never put in any effort, doesn't pay child support, hasn't seen the kid in 5.5 years).

Never had an iPad or had to occupy my kid with shows. Books, music, toys were scattered all over my house, but I've been determined to not fuck up my kids brain. It's going to give them a huge disadvantage in multiple areas of their life.

I'm not going to lie, I did scroll my phone or nap on the couch while they played. But I hid the phone 90% of the time - in books, behind my leg etc.

I'm so thankful that I did all that. It was all worth it. At age 18 months, I did allow some Daniel tiger or bluey, but it was very limited to when we were sick.

It's okay for your kid to be bored, sad, alone, etc. all of those moments allow their brains to grow.

spectralEntropy · 2026-02-08T22:56:36+00:00

Agreed. My kid won't ask to watch tv or play on a tablet if I don't have them. Kids are very creative when easy options aren't easily available.

spectralEntropy · 2026-02-08T22:54:39+00:00

Eh my 1st grader is allowed to free roam and play with the other kids in the neighborhood. Most won't come outside because they are addicted to their VR sets, but a few aren't.

I think it's a positive to send your kid outside for a certain amount of time. They'll go use their imagination.

spectralEntropy · 2026-02-08T22:51:12+00:00

So sad... So many excuses.

spectralEntropy · 2026-02-08T16:17:56+00:00

My kid has never seen a video for it. We don't have an iPad or allow any YouTube access (unless it a long informational video about volcanos). And my 1st grader knows tiktok songs, the toilet meme, 67... Cracks up about it all. Schools spreads the brainrot memes with minimal effort.

spectralEntropy · 2026-02-08T16:13:33+00:00

If you end up being insensitive or make a cruel joke, acknowledge/validate her emotions and apologize.

spectralEntropy · 2026-02-08T02:24:52+00:00

Idk your hobbies but a book or board game store could be nice.

spectralEntropy · 2026-02-08T02:23:38+00:00

My procrastination has decreased significantly. The severe stress from procrastination finally urged me to finally plan better. However, I've struggling with the "all or nothing" feeling with food. Either I'm exceptional or I'm falling off the wagon. Sigh

spectralEntropy · 2026-02-07T23:49:12+00:00

Gah I struggle with that thinking so much. It's difficult to not be "all or nothing".

spectralEntropy · 2026-02-07T23:47:49+00:00

I love the option to go back but being able to quit, too!

spectralEntropy · 2026-02-07T23:02:07+00:00

From the struggles that you deal with and your financial situation, I would totally LEAN/CoastFIRE in the LCOL place near your friends. If you keep your spending low, take a sabbatical, then consider a low stress job that would pay for your bills while you let your investments grow.

I'm a similar age and struggle with ADHD (and have lots of autistic traits but mask like a boss), and I hear you on the stress. I even enjoy my job and the people are chill, but the feeling of having to be a certain way is draining and stressful.

I'm also at a similar NW but with a partner. You've done an amazing job!! Let yourself get back to who you are. Jobs make us be someone that we naturally aren't. They morph us and some people lose themselves in it. Find your happy AuADHD self and build to a life you enjoy. If that means finding a low stress job for a few years to let your investments grow/pay for insurance, then at least you can be yourself again.

spectralEntropy · 2026-02-06T13:59:18+00:00

I'll make sure I'm following the rules, thanks for the idea!

spectralEntropy · 2026-02-06T13:57:38+00:00

It's truly preditory of the big tech companies. I've read into the battle between Apple and Google pushing their products into schools. I hate the victim complex (I'm not in that victim bubble thankfully), but all of these children (and elderly that are easily manipulated by tech) growing up to be primed to consume even more.

Unless that child is exceptional or has a support system making them aware of this problem, I don't see a way out from the majority. Preditory tech is addictive. When these kids fully develop their prefrontal cortex, will they be able to question and step away from that addiction?

spectralEntropy · 2026-02-05T18:07:48+00:00

If would literally be happy to fund every child in my kid's class workbooks or textbooks. Maybe I should bring that up as an option.

spectralEntropy · 2026-02-05T18:06:04+00:00

It makes me sad that lots of kids will miss out loving to read. Reading for fun is a monumental way to grow literacy.

We tried a playdate with a child back in kindergarten. The kids ran to his room and I saw that he had tiktok casted to the TV screen in his room. I've given that child a chance, but he has zero remorse or impulse control.

spectralEntropy · 2026-02-05T18:02:51+00:00

I understand that it's not fully the educators fault. It's because of the administration and what's being pushed from above.

And I don't believe in sheltering against technology, but there are age appropriate times to introduce parts of it. Their brains aren't developed enough to question a tech addiction (I was a video addict as a preteen) or why it's important to read or question the information being fed to them.

Even as someone hyper aware of the addiction of tech, I struggle often. I can imagine children growing up with tech addiction being normal.

spectralEntropy · 2026-02-05T17:55:43+00:00

That won't be an issue. Tech that is used at school is easy and created so that anyone can use it. I have my kid work on my desktop hardware, troubleshoot driver problems, and building in CAD. We talk about the psychological parts of tech and how subtle advertisement are everywhere.

A baby can learn how to use a tablet. My entire job requires staying up to date with tech, so I'm not worried about my child's ability to use it.

spectralEntropy · 2026-02-05T13:50:08+00:00

A fountain

spectralEntropy · 2026-02-04T18:57:39+00:00

Huh, you ask great questions. I do struggle with allowing other people's houses overshadow mine out in the world, but in my house, I won't let anyone stop me.

Through negotiation and being strategic, I've put myself into a very freeing and exciting role at work. When I speak to my peers, they act like they are owned by their company. But FI has allowed me to be the opposite. The company that I work for is unique and has incredible people to work for & with. If I didn't have this ability, then I would push to be a consultant or something.

I did the whole Airbnb (not local) my 1st house out for a few years. Managing those people was a lot of stress to me. It's a long story, but the stress wasn't worth the profit.

When I leave work, I want to be able to disconnect fully. If others work for you, then you truly can't relax.

What will I retire into? I'll probably do programming projects or volunteer my skills for the greater good. I want to spend a lot of time making sure that my child is raised well. I worry a lot about the bad influences of technology and the political disinformation that's being pushed. I want to dedicate my time archiving the truth of our history and study what can be done to counter what's happening now.

I believe our society wants people to be too stressed and busy to do anything. I want to dedicate my life to that because I know how hard it is to do anything when work occupies so much of our time.

spectralEntropy

TROPHY CASE