I’m glad you’re optimistic! I am too, at times. But it’s also my job to be a skeptic, and in the U.S., there are thousands of reasons to be quite depressed about the future. For every one virtuoso teacher and engaged student, there are hundreds who can barely do their jobs, and thousands of students who don’t have enough sleep or food to stay awake and engaged.

Because of this, I see Papert’s visions as compelling for youth have their basic needs met and teachers who have the basic resources and expertise they need to excel. When teachers and youth don’t, I don’t think his ideas are as viable.