So I have been doing a lot of heavy thinking tonight about how I can do my part to proselytize the use of Linux and FreeBSD in the younger generation. How can we undo this dependence on Microsoft, Apple, Google, Facebook, etc. How do we ignite a fire in youth to build their own systems and tell the corporations to pound sand? How do we convince a generation that may already have ceded defeat to these corporations? How do I, as a greybeard, convince these truly brilliant kids that they’re better off building their own systems instead of paying or becoming the product of some corporation that just sees dollar signs?
The United States is particularly anti-education. Our leadership at federal, state, and local levels certainly does not encourage quality education. This is evidenced in the fact that budget cuts hit education first. This sets a dark tone for how education is valued, or more precisely, under-valued. The more I think about it, the more I think I need to backtrack into starting that non-profit IT academy geared towards youth and technical advocacy centered around Linux and FreeBSD.
If I want to leave my mark before I die, this is where I could potentially do so. So much to think about. So many ideas worth serious exploration …. So I just got interrupted by someone on Mastodon, the free/open source (sort of) alternative to Twitter. He is a college professor at a community college and he helped me to come up with a unique perspective. What if we tech pros are going about technology education the wrong way? Perhaps, we need to get a bunch of teachers by profession, help to build their skills as system admins and network engineers?
What if we could, in the span of say 3-6 months, get experienced teachers and train them in Linux and FreeBSD. They already know how to teach to a diverse group of students. They know and understand material presentation and learning styles. Let’s give them the knowledge of free/open source software and help them to impart it on their students with our guidance and possible oversight. The idea, again, is on breaking the dependence on Big Technology. Big Technology does not care about whom it may or may not sell out to make a profit. The only thing important to a for-profit corporation is money.
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