Exploring technology

Technology impacts everything we do. That's one of the reasons for our record use of it, particularly screens. We use it for entertainment, for creativity, for information tracking, for communication, and many, many more uses. The breadth of technology in modern life is hard to fathom.

Writing this article, I'm surrounded by tools created by humans. I'm writing this on a computer, sitting on a couch, all while looking through my glasses. Occasionally I'll take a sip of water from my cup, glance over at the art on the walls, and hear the radiator steaming. I'm grateful for the water, gas, and wiring running through my walls to keep me comfortable. There are some plants here too to remind me that I exist in a world bigger than technology. All of these artifacts are a product of years of evolution.

When a new piece of technology is introduced, it usually comes with a few defined workflows or use cases. Over time, technology can generalize. Take computers as an example. We first used them in the military, to make calculations on ballistics trajectories. Now we can use a computer to talk to someone around the world, remotely operate a drone, and write about our own thoughts, among infinite uses.

This arc from purpose-built to general-purpose is a great way to introduce new technology to children. For a general-purpose toy like Legos, it would make sense to start with a basic set with a few pieces and a step-by-step guide. An intermediate step would be to work on more complex sets that have multiple possible outcomes. Over time, you could work up to having a general collection of pieces where the possibilities are endless.

There might be some roadblocks on the way up the learning curve. Maybe you stumble upon a pattern of use that is new and confusing. Maybe you find a broken piece of the system and aren't sure how to proceed. This general skill of troubleshooting is an essential part of navigating a complex world.

Throughout the journey, it's important to regulate a child's sense of confidence. With overconfidence, they may feel they know all they need to or have a false knowledge over a device or domain. With under-confidence, they may be afraid to explore further or require a lot of hand holding. In life, it is helpful to know what you know and what you do not know. Confidence in the limits of our knowledge keeps all the doors to opportunity open.

We're always told to blaze our own trail and embrace our curiosity. Most of the time, that's easier said than done, especially without experience navigating the unknown. Parents can be a source of confidence and knowledge, allowing children to explore the world before them. With technology becoming more general, complex, and encompassing over time, our knowledge and experiences will need to keep pace.

Originally published on Substack.