i saw someone say nobody needs to know what a .txt file is anymore. what the fuck is the world coming to
unironically i think we need to bring back computer labs because APPARENTLY some people WERENT taught basic computer literacy and internet safety in school
things about computers/the internet i think kids should be formally taught in schools because theyre important to know and the amount of soon to be grown adults i know who know NOTHING about any of these is quite frankly almost all of them (and resources to learn if you dont know these things, because its never to late to get better with computers)
- how to troubleshoot by yourself when you have a technical problem
- what common file types are
- some very basics on how to use ""developer tools"" on your computer (because i cant think of a better way to refer to them) like task manager and command prompt (and their mac equivalents, terminal and activity monitor ofc)
- how to read and understand a privacy policy and what your personal data is, as well as what it being collected actually means and steps you can take to keep it private
- how to understand terms of service
(hey. if you have trouble with reading legalese and worry about being able to understand these policies anyways, here's a site that gives basic summaries of privacy policies and ToS) - what a cookie actually is
- internet privacy and your digital footprint!! seriously i dont know why we stopped teaching people that they shouldnt be putting their entire real identity online in a world where your online actions can ruin you irl
- basic safety measures like antivirus software (and why you should use it or if the built in one on windows or mac is enough for you) and backing up your computer (also a mac guide)
- common keyboard shortcuts (and on mac)
as an additional note: things i think everyone should know on computers and the internet but schools may bit hesitant to teach about for whatever moral/legal standards schools pretend to operate on
- vpns and adblockers! (btw for most of these where you can pay for things im purposefully not recommending any specific software but seriously just use ublock origin for an adblocker)
- how to not get a virus while pirating something
- what a temporary email is and when to use one
- red flags that you shouldn't trust a website (and how to quickly check the security of a site)
- what javascript on a website does and how to disable it to get around paywalls
ok one last addition! if you want to take it one level higher, i think learning the very basics of at least one programming language is good for people. it makes computers less scary and it makes you feel very cool, and a lot of people get discouraged about it because it seems overly complicated and hard to learn outside a formal classroom setting, so heres some resources for learning the very basics of python (because i consider it the easiest language to learn and knowing one language will make it easier to learn others)
- an online compiler so you dont need to download anything or worry about running code directly on your computer if that makes you nervous
- a basic video guide to introduce you to python and walk you through beginner steps
- a guide to some syntax and commands you should know (this was literally my lifeline in my first CS class)
- some performance tasks to give you things to code to practice and assess yourself
Like we have commodified human connection to a degree where if you go beyond smalltalk you're oversharing and if you talk too deeply about your life you're traumadumping and if you get visibly upset you're manipulative and if you care too much you're codependent and if you want to talk about anything heavy you're expected to go hire a therapist because your friends shouldn't have to deal with that stuff and yet we're all sitting around wondering why so many people are lonely...
I think it’s normal for people to be mad at each other sometimes even if they’re close friends or family or intimate with each other. Like I think that’s a normal and healthy part of relationships that can happen sometimes
“Why were you on Mad At Me island” because at the time I was mad at you and yet our friendship has weathered that without trouble
I went to Mad At You island because my feelings are my problem. I needed to stomp down the beach until I could sit and watch the sunrise. I built a sandcastle and did some thinking. Then I boarded the good ship You Matter To Me and sailed it all the way to meet you on the Let’s Talk Shore of I Love You Island.
she fell for the classic trick of believing she's the same person as the one in her years-old memories even though her thought processes would be unrecognisable to herself from a year ago
Going into one of those rage rooms where you're allowed to wreck everything, but I brought a screwdriver and a seam ripper and I'm just going to peacefully take apart fucking everything over the course of four happy, quiet hours.
unfortunately i can’t respond to your text because it stressed me out for no reason and now it’s been too long so i’m just gonna ignore it



