But it doesn't mean you are treated kindly or well, or given any consideration for being, young or stupid or disabled.
There are thieves and predators but also vast urim_and_thummim-like resources, contact with the arts, museums, science...
It is a journey through a delightful but dangerous land.
I see the internet as typical of an anarchic world where people dwell in their silos, they drill deep into their own areas of interest, mole-like with an intense, downward thrust. Were moral aberrations can be picked-up and amplified, magnifying the ugliness and error, like the hundredth photocopy of a photcopy.
But there is also absolute good, light, breath...
What sort of character can survive and be interesting in such a world?
[This message has been edited by hoptoad (edited August 24, 2004).]
quote:
What sort of character can survive and be interesting in such a world?
I might suggest the son/daughter of a computer programmer or scientist, who doesn't get out much and has grown-up with his/her fathers teachings. Perhaps even home schooled etc... Then gets introduced to the outside world. Kinda your "fish-out-of-water" story. Or some sort of quest twist. Socially retarded and virginesque to the rest of the world? no?
Every once in a while I think about that image and I always picture Jimmy Stewart dressed in buckskin following a path of circuits and wires sort of like How the West was Won only with computers.
Not sure if this is helpful for characterization. I like your concept.
And since when are homeschoolers backwards shut-ins, TrueHero? Only the bad ones, which are the ones most folks like to tell tales about--very tall tales. Most homeschoolers, like my kids, are bright, intelligent, well-adjusted, mature individuals who can hold their own quite as well with adults as they can with their peers. Most homeschooling parents work hard to see that this is the case. I mean really. Most of today's nutcases--social retards and worldly virgins--are roaming the halls of our public schools fantasizing about axing the prom queen.
But I like the fish-out-of-water idea. 
But why introduce him to the outside world? I'd rather know what his inside world is all about--his immersion in the internet as a way of life kinda thing.
Incredibly interesting idea, Andrew.
You could go anywhere in the blink of an eye, but anyone could come to you unless you had elaborate shielding mechanisms and so forth. When you talked to someone, it could always just be a reprogrammed duplicate. You would constantly have to cross-check things to make sure they were what they looked to be. And you'd have to be careful that someone didn't duplicate you and use your dupe for nefarious purposes.
Wow, Imagine coming across old copies of yourself, digital or analog... don't know which, but after talking to one realise you no longer agree with your old ideas... lets say you changed your religion or political views or something, but they get together and decide that you're the problem, that somehow you have shamed them or something.
I have nothing against homeschool, I think it is a great idea. In fact, most homeschool kids are much further along than their public school counterparts. So, congrats on the hard work with your kids.
But, I think that the child's "nose-in-the-book" learning at home would possibly make it very intelligent, perhaps super-intelligent. And a super-intelligent, socially backwards child would be good fodder for the fish-out-of-water type of story. That's all I was trying to say.
I hope this clarifies things and doesn't just dig my proverbial hole any deeper!
Sorry to have ruffled your feathers, not intended.
OK, Good story idea, Andrew.
It's just that we homeschoolers have come a long way from being labeled as backwards weirdos who live in razor-wire compounds in Montana, smoking home-grown pot, reading nothing but the Bible, and beating our children once a week for the 'educational value'.
I just hate to see more fodder for the stereotype. So I had to speak out against it.
:*
Someone who does all their learning through the computer, though, would be more likely to be socially inexperienced.
Homeschooled kids--even those who are schooled in relative isolation--learn excellent social skills from their most excellent parents. Think about it--wouldn't the world be a nightmare (and it is in some places and circumstances) if the only social examples kids had were other kids? Especially in the JR. High years? EEK. Gives me nightmares.
NOTE: I was trying to use one of my nieces as a model for my suggestion. She isn't homeschooled, but she is somewhat socially inept, when it comes to interacting with kids her own age. She is an only child, without any children her age that live close to them. The only interaction she has is when she goes to school. She has had numerous incidences where she can't cope with the other kids, because of her lack of experience, socially. Of course, her behavior will change as she grows, (I hope).
I will now relinquish this thread back to its rightful owner. Sorry hoptoad, you go on with your story idea. As you can tell it seems to have grabbed some interest!
'The HF radio is still the single most important tool in allowing daily whole class or school interaction. Through this medium the school still develops its sense of being a school - the ability to share news, experiences, the good times, sad times, happy events and just say "G'day" is still best served by our old friend "the radio". (Alice Springs School of the Air Website)
Maybe in an internet type world REAL revolutionary power may reside in old or outmoded technologies, not necessarily HF radio, but some method not commonly embraced, or dependent on routine networks.
[This message has been edited by hoptoad (edited August 26, 2004).]
Great idea... though I like the "computer learning" angle better than homeschooling. And the idea about outmoded tech being the grass-roots power is pretty cool. Kinda reminds me of an old Sliders episode..... but w/o the star-crossed lovers cheesiness! 
(Don't get me wrong, I love Shakespeare, but the re-writes don't do much for me!)
I did enjoy the thought.... whose was it?... about having to watch out for duplicates and programmed avatars, double and triple checking everything, advanced firewalls, etc.
I see a potential pitfall... a Terminator II - style "prevent the apocalypse" (sp?)/ post-apocalypse scenario. UGH!
Question: If the culture is tech-dependant, and computers are all the interaction this child has ever had, then what is the "real world" he/she is being dropped into?
Sounds interesting.... more, please! <><