Luddite or Geek?

When Jeff Jarvis posted this pic below from a Texas school by Mark Simmons, he didn’t expect that the ensuing debate might well turn this pic into the Rorschach Test to identify if you are a Luddite or a geek!

If you’re wondering how, consider your reaction to the pic before reading on. Now take a look at some reactions to the pic, both from Jarvis’ article as well as the original Simmons’ pic.

Jonathan Hébert said:

“Real life interactions and physical activities would help more people instead of looking like zombies.”

Jarvis himself:

“New technologies bring new norms. The future is theirs, not ours.”

Daniel Baker suggested:

“Set up technology-free zones. When kids are outside they should be socializing and playing, not glued to a screen.”

Paul Dickson had this to say:

“They can have friends all over the world. Odds are, those might be a lot more interesting than the doofus in the next seat.”

Some felt that this was:

“Creating a generation of social misfits.”

Kourosh Farrokhzad wrote:

“Computer literacy is going to be the single most important skill for students of all stripes to master. Don’t worry, most human beings can’t stare into a screen for hours on end—once the novelty has worn off they will go back to their fights, smokes, music lessons and sport activities.”

Though it should be obvious by now, let Jarvis state the conclusion anyway:

“Your reaction to that photo tells more about you than those students—whether you are inherently fearful, not trusting technology and our children, or hopeful, finding opportunity and trust in the proprietors of the future.”