HACKER Q&A
📣 frozencell

How to motivate a parent to learn CS?


With all the software and AI revolution, programming is so a basic need yet most people don't understand how Internet, computers, and software "really works" nor they do want to know or "have the time". But it's freaking important, aren't we all gonna explode if society is divided into the lucky tech "elite" and the plebe?

I know some parents in their 50s that could have had a computer and manual to code (BASIC, etc.) but didn't get one in their childhood (instead they got barbies or some consummer midly interesting stuff, etc.) eventually and now they are embittered towards maths but think that they could have been computer experts.

How would you teach a dad or mom in their 50s with professional basic experience (office software) in Windows, MacOs (typic folks who grew up in the prosperous 70s/80s) and a little time to spare from time to time especially the weekend?

Let's imagine they have a brand new computer (laptop/deskotp on MacOS) and have very low patience but a bit of curiosity. (They aren't nerds at all but the 70s born vibe make them like fame and nostalgic about some things I guess).

thanks

  👤 brudgers Accepted Answer ✓
Swap "CS" for "auto repair" and parents who know how to drive but don't know how a car works. Buying them a new Fiat isn't going to change anyone's interest.

Your passion is not their passion.

And if you got into computers despite their non-interest, thank them that they let you have your own passion and did not force theirs upon you.

So you don't. Either they are interested or not. They have had an entire lifetime of adult money and could have made computing a hobby any time.

Good luck.

👤 jstx1
If you need to motivate them - don't. Just leave your parents alone, your job isn't so important that everyone else needs to learn it too.
👤 aintmeit
Manipulation could work although it might make you feel guilty about it later. Let's say your parent gives you some of their money they earn from their new tech job, which they got by updating their skills. Because of your guilt, instead of using that money to invest in yourself, you'll spend it on some reckless activity.