QUESTION: Marty, computers in schools started to appear in the ’90’s. Do you see any relationship between societal shifts and classroom learning? Bill Gates influence?
LP
ANSWER: I don’t think so. I outfitted the grade school I went to with computers in the early 90s. I think it improved their skills to be able to function in the 21st century. However, the introduction of smartphones has changed the game. Now a 7-year-old is teaching their mother, who was in those classes in the 90s, how to forward and take pictures. There are a lot of studies now showing that young adults have fewer friends. Then there are studies saying that the average American has not made a new friend in 5 years.
I live on the beach. I see people walking the beach alone while on the phone. It is rather strange.
