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Comment by softwaredoug | Hacker News Reader

Obviously there’s cultural factors at play, I just wonder whether strategically it’s wise to teach kids externally imposed restrictions rather than learning to restrict themselves intrinsically because something else is worth doing? It’s kind of the metaphor of the kid with the very strict upbringing that has no self control when they move away from their family.

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Won't the government have no qualms about eventually applying similar restrictions and enforcement mechanisms to adults?

I see that as the long-term-goal: it's quite a cliche term by now, but they are really creating sheeple, slowly breeding out the rebelliousness and independent thought to be replaced by docile, obedient worshippers of the government.

It's the one reason why I have hope that Chinese world domination attempts will fall flat. They will just be out thought eventually if they continue down this road.

I dunno, the culture also has a strong basis of surface following the rules while getting around them in every way you can, typically way beyond a typical westerner.

I think people shouldn't underestimate the way people counter react to rules they do not like or agree with on some level.

Eventually?

> whether strategically it’s wise to teach kids externally imposed restrictions rather than learning to restrict themselves intrinsically because something else is worth doing?

Judging from observing my peers, extrisinc worked better in long term. With few exceptions, those whose parents did not restricted gaming just continued to play really a lot. Those whose parents did were more likely to discover something else to do.

You can move away from your family, but not from government control.

Well, you can..?

Immigration is not so straight-forward if you're Indian or Chinese national.

No, that's true, but it's definitely possible. I know of plenty of engineering students in my home country who came here from China (and India) to do their masters, and ended up staying for work.

But yeah, it definitely requires certain circumstances, and it's not realistic for everyone.

did I say it's impossible? I immigrated myself, the amount of financial resources and time it takes makes it infeasible for most of the population.

Education of children involves both.

"Externally imposed restrictions" is what parents and society do. Then, internalising and understanding these restrictions is part of the education process.

Children are told not to spend too much time gaming by their parents (hopefully) and said parents also impose restrictions when this is not so (hopefully), for instance.

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