I shared this on Google Reader, but as far as i can tell, i only have one friend (in Google terms) who uses Reader, and since the Google Reader Shared Items Thingy is so damn ugly, i’ve taken it off my site. So with that preamble, here’s what i watched on TED today: Five dangerous things you should let your kids do.

For the lazy and impatient (or the ones hoping for my analysis), here they more or less are:

• Play with fire
• Own a pocket knife
• Throw a spear
• Deconstruct appliances
• Break the DCMA
• Drive a car

As you can see, the above “five” dangerous things really sum up to six, but the two last really can be summed up to “break the law”.

Now here’s the fun thing. The first two or three Dangerous Things really sum up to “be a scout”, at least in this country. We (let our kids) play with knives and fire. We believe that doing so in a responsible way teaches respect, responsibility, curiosity and empowerment in us (and our kids). The Throw a spear thing was new for me, but that’s probably because i’ve never been very athletically inclined. Or very good at throwing stuff. I hope this will change with my kids. At least i am playing outside with them each weekend day, except on days when i’m too tired and i mostly just watch them play and participate on an edge.

The next one and a half item, Deconstruct appliances and Break the DCMA sum up to “call on their Inner Geek”. Understand that there’s something beneath the blank, safe cover of a washing machine or the law regulating how we are allowed to enjoy our media. So void your warranty; there are interesting — and non-scary — bits inside that are both magical and very un-strange!

Finally, drive a car, really sums up — though through an US perspective — the whole bit. Empower your kid. Show that the limits can be pushed. Show that s/he can be in control. It’s scary and it’s fun. There is responsibility included, but most of all, let them see that they can.

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