In 2002, Maine became the first state to implement a statewide laptop program to some grade levels. Then-governor Angus King saw the program as a way to put the internet at the fingertips of more children, who would be able to immerse themselves in information.
By that fall, the Maine Learning Technology Initiative had distributed 17,000 Apple laptops to seventh graders across 243 middle schools. By 2016, those numbers had multiplied to 66,000 laptops and tablets distributed to Maine students.
King’s initial efforts have been mirrored across the country. In 2024, the U.S. spent more than $30 billion putting laptops and tablets in schools. But more than a quarter-century and numerous evolving models of technology later, psychologists and learning experts see a different outcome than the one King intended. Rather than empowering the generation with access to more knowledge, the technology had the opposite effect.
I absolutely agree with you.
Computers used to be multi-purpose tools. They existed to benefit their users and make tasks easier.
Now their mainstream “considered ideal” form is just a constant dope-feed that drains your wallet and sells your every waking moment to anonymous bidders. The less you can rely on your own brain, the more you’ll pay to rely on theirs.
Computers and those who understand them run society now, and there’s definitely an obvious push toward techno-feudalism. A class of “Those Who Understand”, served by a forever disadvantaged class of “Those Who Do Not.”
A stark contrast can be seen by using any Linux machine, for instance. It’s there for you. It is a tool that expects you to gain understanding and familiarity as you use it, rather than handing you all the answers without challenging you to think about anything.
As you gain familiarity, simply using the computer itself feels educating, it gets fun. You are rewarded for trying things by getting smarter.
Compare to any “normie OS.”
“No.” It says. “You’re too stupid for any of this. Pay your subscription and ask Ai maybe.”