[nathanielksmith]

Despite being excessive at points ("disgusting flaunting of privilege") I think the article points out a real problem. In my experience, the only way to fill this gap is to actively--as adult programmers--"bootstrap" the computing lives of lower class children in our communities.

For example, I volunteer with a church ministry that refurbishes old machines, installs Ubuntu, and gives them / grants them to those who need them (we just call it the Hardware Cooperative).

Our last machine went to a child who just turned 10. His family is low-income and their lone computer was a decade old HP running a virus-filled XP that rebooted every few minutes.

We gave him a speedy little box with Edubuntu on it and he was thrilled by it. He took to it immediately and was engrossed by Tux4Kids and more.

Without our donation, it was obvious that he wasn't going to go anywhere with computers on that XP machine. Without us "bootstrapping" the process for him, I don't see how he ever could have developed an interest in computers, but now I'd say there's a fairly big chance.

So yes: check your privilege if you've got it. But more proactively, look to see how you can prevent these kinds of gaps in the future.

[jafran]

This is totally awesome.

It draws a real contrast between programmers and the article's author(s). Academic style discourse never attempts to propose any solutions or valorize any sort of action whatsoever. Instead, the point is mainly to grandstand and to call out everyone. Those of higher socio-economic standing are always at fault, those of lower are always blameless/helpless/or otherwise without agency.

[dgabriel]

I agree that the project is awesome, but without those who criticize and analyze, no thought gets put into how to make the world better.

Note: there is no "fault." There are built-in injustices in society that are not due to some inherent evil lurking in the hearts of wealthy white men. By the same token, people who are poor or lack certain privileges are not stupid, bad, or inherently lesser humans because they do not possess the same knowledge and skill set as someone who has/had more advantages growing up.

[Tichy]

I have a desktop PC left over that would probably even be good for gaming (Athlon 64 3000+) but I have been unable to find anybody who wants it (Berlin, Germany). It's low on RAM but I would be willing to stock up if anybody wants it. I don't have a Windows license left over, so it currently runs Ubuntu.

[dgabriel]

My son and I are doing the exact same thing, on a smaller scale out of our basement in conjunction with the public school.