If computers are the future why are users expected to be permanently illiterate?

2 days ago

The author's introduction to computers was through their father's Apple II+, which they learned to use without formal instruction.
The Apple II+ was essentially a terminal with no graphical interface, yet both the author and their father became proficient users, suggesting that such skills are accessible to 'ordinary people.'
Steve Jobs' metaphor of a computer as a 'bicycle for the mind' highlights its potential to enhance human capabilities, though mastery requires effort, akin to learning to ride a bike.
The author critiques the infantilization of users through overly simplified interfaces, comparing it to training wheels that limit potential.
Vendor lock-in and the dumbing down of computers are criticized as forms of control that restrict user freedom and growth.
The false dichotomy between mobile and desktop computing is challenged, with the author arguing that both can coexist without sacrificing complexity or freedom.
Economic factors influence computing choices, with smartphones often being more affordable but more restricted than desktop computers.
The author laments the trend towards anti-intellectualism in computing, where users resist learning and demand overly simplistic, 'intuitive' interfaces.
Artificial Intelligence is seen as the latest threat to user empowerment, promoting laziness and discouraging self-improvement.
The author fears a future where human intelligence declines due to over-reliance on AI, benefiting only tech vendors.

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