Comment by Sean-Der | Hacker News Reader

Comment by Sean-Der | Hacker News Reader

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My experience with D&D was on the computer. I didn’t have friends that would play with me. I didn’t feel constrained by having computer driving the story. Games like Baldurs Gate pulled away from unhappy things happening otherwise.

id software had a profit motive right? As a kid it didn’t occur to me. I just nagged my parents to pay for Doom/Heretic.

I also have done everything to encourage/empower DIY. My hope is that users that are curious can learn more/build it themselves.

> Normally once a toy is bought, infinite time can be spent with it with no further financial transaction

I can’t think of any case where that is true. Books/toys all get worn and may need to be replaced. I have bought my son the same toy forklift three times because it breaks and he really loves it.

> Is it desirable to build a world where kids spend more time with this category of toy over others

I would rather see my kids play with this technology than consumption only (videos). Other play is better then doing Santa role play, but this isn’t close to be worse at all.

I 100% agree with Sean that the computer is an exploration machine. There are lots of net positive things for kids (and non-kids) that LLMs make possible. Just like there were lots of net positive things that an Internet connection makes possible.

Of course there are things technologies can do that are bad. For kids. For adults. For societies. But I build this kind of voice+LLM stuff, too, and have a kid, and the exploration, play, and learning opportunities here are really, really amazing.

For example, we are within reach of giving every child in the world a personalized, infinitely patient tutor that can cover any subject at the right level for that child. This doesn't replace classroom teachers. It augments what you can do in school, and what kids will be able to do outside of school hours.

My guy, such a bad faith argument to say “books and toys wear out too” to justify an API locked toy that costs $100 for one hour.

There are books, lego bricks, and other toys in my family that have now gone through three generations of kids and are ready for a fourth.

I understand you’re fighting hard to defend the thing you built, but come on.

And yeah, if you’re comparing this to TikTok brainrot, sure, I guess it’s one step above.

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