Why Johnny can't repair a carburetor.
Why Johnny can't stack his vinyl records properly.
Why Johnny can't ride a horse.
Why Johnny can't prepare a basic white sauce.
Why Johnny can't find the outhouse.
</JustKidding>
I've been around long enough to understand OP's argument and sympathize with him. I've also been around long enough to appreciate that there has never been a better time to learn programming.
Why? Two words: "View Source".
I've been through many modes of programming (all the way back to punch cards and once a day compiling) and I am nostalgic for none of it. I can't imagine going back.
Today, anyone can learn HTML, CSS, and Javascript. Resources are everywhere. Results are instant. And best of all, examples are everywhere. How many times have you been to a webpage and wondered, "How'd they do that?" "View Source" is often your window into so many other worlds. It's hard to believe that there was a time when you couldn't do this.
Like OP, I get nostalgic, too. I miss a lot of things about the good old days, like Willie Stargell hitting 500 foot home runs without steroids, 35 cent Stroh's drafts, and hot Big Macs. But not old technology, even BASIC.
OP, turn your kid on to the "basics" of web programming and let him find his way with his generation's technology, not yours. You'll think he's missing something because his experience won't be your experience. You'll be partially right, but don't forget about all the stuff he'll be able to do that we couldn't.
I hit "view source" on google. Here is some of the javascript:
ar _IG_MD = _IG_MD_Generate({ct:0,t:[{i:0,n:"Home"},{i:1,n:"arxiv.org"}],dt:[0,1],m:[{i:2,mt:25,u:"http://www.quotationspage.com/data/qotd.rss",ti:"Quotes of the Day",sn:"A3",t:0,dd:["ed","del","ming","shg","rg","ag"]},{i:139,mt:25,u:"http://lwn.net/headlines/newrss",ti:"LWN.net",sn:"Ne",t:0,dd:["ed","del","ming","shg","rg","ag"]},{i:137,mt:25,u:"http://blog.jgc.org/feeds/posts/default",ti:"",sn:"",t:0,dd:["ed", [...Lots more snipped...]
I don't think you're using the word strawman correctly. I believe it means that you create an easily refutable argument and pretend your opponent used it when he really didn't. You then knock the argument down and proclaim victory.
Also, the example given above is an excellent example of the fact that Javascript has become the assembly of the web and that there are a large number of tools that are going to spit out code like that.
I'm not exactly sure you got the point of the article here. One of the nice things about BASIC to which the author alludes is that it's a quick and dirty language. The implication is that, by being a quick and dirty language, it is well-suited for these educational ventures. I tend to agree. (I say this as someone who learned how to program using MIT Scheme!)
This isn't an issue of generations at all; it's an issue of accessibility. Doing the same educational tasks in a Web development environment that you would also do on a household microcomputer like the Commodore 64 is comparatively much more difficult. On the Web, you're learning HTML, Javascript, and potentially something like PHP. That's two or three different languages just to get out the door! On the other hand, on the C=64, you're learning only Microsoft BASIC. The barrier to entry is lower.
Face it. He's a kid. If he's enough of a nerd, he's invariably going to want to write cute little games to show off to his friends (I know I did when I was the tender age of nine, which was in 1996), so if you really want to make it a generational gap issue, give him a TI graphing calculator and tell him to have a ball. He'll thank you for it later.
Just you, javascript, and a canvas tag. No CSS, PHP, or further HTML required.
The biggest impetus to my programming excitement as a kid was how hard it was to share what I'd done with my friends. A website is the easiest way to share a program I've ever known.
Javascript is a very simple and forgiving language. Basic might be easier to learn, but I've never seen any evidence for this. I know I found it incredibly tricky, in hindsight largely due to limitations and design errors in the language.
The important difference is that with A CBM64 or BBC micro, you turned it on and typed.
10 print "I am great"
20 goto 10
Now after it has booted and you have logged on and started the visual blah IDE you start programming with
from microsoft.java.net.jrhvbieurbv import sun.microsoft.jobs
security model com.apartment.nice_view
#include <stdio>
public virtual void extern _main():
And tell little jonnie that he isn't supposed to understand any of those words - they are grown up computer stuff, he should just type in whats in the book.
I wish I could have learned programming with Javascript.
Imagine all those kids learning JS/jQuery first, and having an implicit understanding of callbacks/evented programming from the beginning. <sigh>. Some of those kids have a massive advantage which I admit I find a bit intimidating at times. They certainly don't seem to be suffering from a lack of BASIC.
I would suggest starting with language such as MIT Media Labs Scratch.
Which is a great resource, it is also an active project with web based ide.
http://scratch.mit.edu/
He is complete ass when he talks bullshit about MIT Media Lab without knowing about their current efforts.
The OP is an complete idiot lost in nostalgia, is he nicholas carr??
I've been around long enough to understand OP's argument and sympathize with him. I've also been around long enough to appreciate that there has never been a better time to learn programming.
Why? Two words: "View Source".
I've been through many modes of programming (all the way back to punch cards and once a day compiling) and I am nostalgic for none of it. I can't imagine going back.
Today, anyone can learn HTML, CSS, and Javascript. Resources are everywhere. Results are instant. And best of all, examples are everywhere. How many times have you been to a webpage and wondered, "How'd they do that?" "View Source" is often your window into so many other worlds. It's hard to believe that there was a time when you couldn't do this.
Like OP, I get nostalgic, too. I miss a lot of things about the good old days, like Willie Stargell hitting 500 foot home runs without steroids, 35 cent Stroh's drafts, and hot Big Macs. But not old technology, even BASIC.
OP, turn your kid on to the "basics" of web programming and let him find his way with his generation's technology, not yours. You'll think he's missing something because his experience won't be your experience. You'll be partially right, but don't forget about all the stuff he'll be able to do that we couldn't.