I know a little boy who has a mom and a dad who love him very much. I hope all the little boys in the world have the love and support this one has. But, as teachers are constantly telling us, his whole family is actively engaged in being around him, talking to him, sharing movies and games with him, reading to him and keeping an eye on his language and activities.
About 20 years ago, my wife and I spent a day driving. On the drive, we talked continuously about our explorations of the new software package she had given me for Father's Day, Appleworks. We had just gotten our first computer, an Apple II e, and I had seen a magazine story about the "suite" of programs that included the ability to word process, handle information in a spreadsheet and file information in rows and columns in a basic database. It surprised me how intimately and pleasurably two people could talk about the keyboard shortcuts and features of the program.
In a very reminiscent way, the little boy had a similar conversation in our presence the other day. We had just had a satisfying meal and the beach beckoned with its invitation to run and jump. Two other boys were doing that, too, and soon a three way conversation developed. In no time, the talk settled on a recently released video game and its challenges. I am interested in the value of video games ever since I started Everything Bad is Good for You and read that several universities have started academic departments of gaming.
The boys discussed ways they had succeeded in the game and tricks and insights that helped them rise to the next level. Our hero immediately explained what he had heard to his grandfather who immediately arranged for them to try out these new suggestions. The trial did not immediately succeed but meanwhile the grandmother went to Google, found an explanatory video showing the needed steps and target.
So, the game furnished a lingua franca for young males' discussion and social interchange while our moden media of fast broadband and video on the net supplied an enterprising pair of grandparents with the needed info to score. Yay! This modern world is ok.
