Would it not be better to give the laptops to the schools? This way they could have something like "learning nights" twice a week where kids/teens who don't have access at home could come in and do assignments or some form of ECDL course? I just don't think giving out 230,000 laptops left, right and centre will really help anyone at all. At least if you kept them in the schools then there would be supervision and help if needed? (I don't mean "supervision" as in "monitoring what they're looking-up", more like "keeping track on how the kids are progressing" etc.)

But that would require teachers to stay behind to supervise the students. A lot of teachers are parents themselves and wouldn't be able to do that.

But that would require teachers to stay behind to supervise the students. A lot of teachers are parents themselves and wouldn't be able to do that.

 

Plus the extra salaries needed for the teachers would still need a lot of taxpayers' money.

I don't think there is a culture against poor people as such, there are plenty of people who work for very low wages and have their self esteem. They are not scroungers, and I for one applaud anyone in these circumstances, it cannot be easy. However there is poverty today and there was real poverty in the 1950,1960 and 1970's. Having lived through part of that I can assure you that vast amounts of people survived on very low wages, in very poor housing. Things have generally improved a lot since then.

 

There was no generous benefit system like there is nowadays, all you got was possibly your rent paid & unemployment benefit. The vast majority lived in run down council accomodation,or in some fancy new concrete jungle estate in the middle of "NEW TOWN". I didn't know anyone who owned their own house until I was 16.

 

Yet people were reasonably happy back then. They just got on with it. Today some "poor" folk get housing benefit,child benefit,council tax benefit, unemployment benefit etc etc so although they may be poor , they still are probably better off in real terms than they would have been 30/40 years ago.

 

The people certain of us have a problem with, is scroungers. That is the ones who can work, but choose not to. The ones that claim they are medically unfit, debatable. The ones that claim every benefit going and live quite well and contribute nothing to the system, ever.

 

I have every sympathy for people who have recently lost their jobs, that is what the benefit system was introduced for, until they get a new job. Here's hoping anyone who is in that position find a new job quickly. :)

LOL! What a disgrace. My ex-friend is gonna be enjoying this so much! <_<

So how many of these computers will:

• be stolen within weeks?

• sold by a parent for their next fix, bet, whatever?

• given to pupils who are truant for 95% of the school year?

• given to the offspring of immigrants who’ve arrived here since New Labour opened up our boarders in 1997 to all and sundry?

So how many of these computers will:

• be stolen within weeks?

• sold by a parent for their next fix, bet, whatever?

• given to pupils who are truant for 95% of the school year?

• given to the offspring of immigrants who’ve arrived here since New Labour opened up our boarders in 1997 to all and sundry?

Vile, vile post. Do you work for the Daily Mail by any chance? Your post implies these things will be widespread just by virtue of the fact they're going to the poor.

No, it isn't classist to subscribe to the notion that society isn't equal and if you want something you have to work to earn it. It IS classist to state that the poor are only poor because they're either thick or bone idle. My mother had a 2.1 in Law and we struggled for absolute YEARS (indeed, at the time she died we were still poor even though things were getting better for her) as it just wasn't enough. She was neither thick, nor bone idle, and eventually had to settle for a job as a nursery administrator which paid awfully. You make it seem oh so easy to find a good job, but qualifications don't make it all that much easier - she was turned away from most jobs for being 'over-qualified', and getting a job at a law firm was near on impossible seemingly.

 

there are always exceptions to the rule...and my vitriole isnt for 'the poor' per se just for the ones who scrounge, or moan they want everything but cant be arsed to work for it.

 

 

When you said you were a "successful businessman" I assumed you were a multi-millionaire Rob! Easy mistake I suppose!!

 

my business is 20 years old, solvent, it pays for my modest lifestyle , it may be 'small' but so what? its my creation, created by my hard work.

 

If they're given cast-offs from people or organisations upgrading, then I could probably live with that.. I mean, how many computers go to waste every year because they're considered "obsolete"...? The notion that they should be given some up-to-date, shiny new Dell or Alienware aint on though...

 

A laptop would be a huge benefit for students, but many cant afford it, so, I reckon they should be considered as well for this scheme...

 

actually, i cant disagree with this.

 

I don't think there is a culture against poor people as such, there are plenty of people who work for very low wages and have their self esteem. They are not scroungers, and I for one applaud anyone in these circumstances, it cannot be easy. However there is poverty today and there was real poverty in the 1950,1960 and 1970's. Having lived through part of that I can assure you that vast amounts of people survived on very low wages, in very poor housing. Things have generally improved a lot since then.

 

There was no generous benefit system like there is nowadays, all you got was possibly your rent paid & unemployment benefit. The vast majority lived in run down council accomodation,or in some fancy new concrete jungle estate in the middle of "NEW TOWN". I didn't know anyone who owned their own house until I was 16.

 

Yet people were reasonably happy back then. They just got on with it. Today some "poor" folk get housing benefit,child benefit,council tax benefit, unemployment benefit etc etc so although they may be poor , they still are probably better off in real terms than they would have been 30/40 years ago.

 

The people certain of us have a problem with, is scroungers. That is the ones who can work, but choose not to. The ones that claim they are medically unfit, debatable. The ones that claim every benefit going and live quite well and contribute nothing to the system, ever.

 

I have every sympathy for people who have recently lost their jobs, that is what the benefit system was introduced for, until they get a new job. Here's hoping anyone who is in that position find a new job quickly. :)

 

well said brian .... i too was brought up in the 60's in poverty (normal by them standards). we had no hand outs... we just got on with it.

Some people here are a bit harsh to the poor, I wouldn't mind giving my old computer to somebody else, I barely ever use it anymore. I know my school replaces PCs every 3 years, so it may be a good idea to give the old ones to poor students at other schools?

Only OAP's get heating allowances. People on benefits don't Rob. Neither do they get food allowance. People seem to think they get EVERYTHING paid. :rolleyes:

 

You would know...

 

Vile, vile post. Do you work for the Daily Mail by any chance? Your post implies these things will be widespread just by virtue of the fact they're going to the poor.

 

Maybe vile, but still true.

 

Life is what you make it tbh, when you are born, you are given the exact same chances as every other person born on this earth. If you were dedicated to making your life a success, nothing would stop you. If you genuinely cared, you would stay behind after school, go to your library for books and internet access (which also free) and even try to raise money for your own computer by washing cars and stuff. There are lots of very intelligent people right now who grew up with nothing more than a few textbooks in the 60s/70s/80s.. what's the difference now? Is the internet NOT just like a giant textbook?

Life is what you make it tbh, when you are born, you are given the exact same chances as every other person born on this earth. If you were dedicated to making your life a success, nothing would stop you. If you genuinely cared, you would stay behind after school, go to your library for books and internet access (which also free) and even try to raise money for your own computer by washing cars and stuff. There are lots of very intelligent people right now who grew up with nothing more than a few textbooks in the 60s/70s/80s.. what's the difference now? Is the internet NOT just like a giant textbook?

 

sorry dude, thats rubbish.

 

everyone born here is born into differing environments. rich/poor, decent paternts/crap parents, born with a very receptive brain/born with dyslexia/dysphraxia/some other thought inhibiting disorder.

 

however you are correct in suggesting that people shouldnt be 'locked' into their social status. theres no need to stop in the gutter. we may all have opportunity but to some its easier then others.

sorry dude, thats rubbish.

 

everyone born here is born into differing environments. rich/poor, decent paternts/crap parents, born with a very receptive brain/born with dyslexia/dysphraxia/some other thought inhibiting disorder.

 

however you are correct in suggesting that people shouldnt be 'locked' into their social status. theres no need to stop in the gutter. we may all have opportunity but to some its easier then others.

 

A brilliant post Rob. Great points, well made.

Maybe vile, but still true.

 

Life is what you make it tbh, when you are born, you are given the exact same chances as every other person born on this earth. If you were dedicated to making your life a success, nothing would stop you. If you genuinely cared, you would stay behind after school, go to your library for books and internet access (which also free) and even try to raise money for your own computer by washing cars and stuff. There are lots of very intelligent people right now who grew up with nothing more than a few textbooks in the 60s/70s/80s.. what's the difference now? Is the internet NOT just like a giant textbook?

 

 

Some people have problems which hold them back though. I could never have gone to Uni because I was far too shy. I'd probably have had to drop out first term. My sister was an extrovert and went though and has a very good job now and that's always been rather a bone of contention with me so we're not close at all. Not my fault I was introverted in my teens is it?

Edited January 16, 201015 yr by Victor Meldrew

That's $h!te tbh Chris.

 

I am rather an introverted person and i'm half way through my third year of a four year degree. Uni is an excellent opportunity and a chance to grow as a person, i am far more extroverted than i used to be. I had to adapt, especially when i went to Australia. I knew nobody, i had no family out there, i was on my own so i had to branch out and make friends and i made some amazing friends. As humans we adapt to changing situations, so i'm sorry but that's utter $h!te. You can go to uni and still be a loner, nobody forces you to socialise or go out drinking if you don't want to.

 

 

Talking of Aus, how is Brisbane working for you Liam? I miss shopping on Queen Street and in the Myer Centre. :( Which suburb did your folks end up picking?

of course its nonsense, as if unis are only occupied by extroverts....

Some people have problems which hold them back though. I could never have gone to Uni because I was far too shy. I'd probably have had to drop out first term. My sister was an extrovert and went though and has a very good job now and that's always been rather a bone of contention with me so we're not close at all. Not my fault I was introverted in my teens is it?

No but it is your fault you never did anything about it. I was always shy at school, never in the popular crowd and never had loads of friends. I moved away to uni and although it took a while for me to adapt it completely changed me, uni does that. There's someone on my course who's incredibly shy. In two years I've never known him talk to anyone unless he absolutely has to. To suggest shy people don't go to uni is ridiculous. If you want something enough, you'll overcome whatever is in the way.

So how many of these computers will:

• be stolen within weeks?

• sold by a parent for their next fix, bet, whatever?

• given to pupils who are truant for 95% of the school year?

• given to the offspring of immigrants who’ve arrived here since New Labour opened up our boarders in 1997 to all and sundry?

 

Tbh everyone should deservedly have the right to live in this country if they have the correct paperwork, I hate the idea that British people feel Britain 'belongs' to them, it's a very worrying and racist view.

Some people have problems which hold them back though. I could never have gone to Uni because I was far too shy. I'd probably have had to drop out first term. My sister was an extrovert and went though and has a very good job now and that's always been rather a bone of contention with me so we're not close at all. Not my fault I was introverted in my teens is it?

 

Utter rubbish Chris, you would have a point if you had said dating agency or whatever but having a quiet personality has nothing to do with one's ability to do work

 

While I am very sociable with people who I like or have stuff in common with I am very cold and aloof with people I don't connect with or have personality traits I don't like, that ain't being introverted as such but anyone who I don't like would probably find me introverted because I have no wish to make the effort with them

Edited January 17, 201015 yr by B.A Baracus

Tbh everyone should deservedly have the right to live in this country if they have the correct paperwork, I hate the idea that British people feel Britain 'belongs' to them, it's a very worrying and racist view.

Wrong thread? :P

sorry dude, thats rubbish.

 

everyone born here is born into differing environments. rich/poor, decent paternts/crap parents, born with a very receptive brain/born with dyslexia/dysphraxia/some other thought inhibiting disorder.

 

however you are correct in suggesting that people shouldnt be 'locked' into their social status. theres no need to stop in the gutter. we may all have opportunity but to some its easier then others.

 

Well obviously if you have learning difficulities you have a disadvantage, but the government provides so many opportunies. Schooling is practically free and for the things you do pay for (school meals, trips, uniforms etc.) can be given to children for free or at least discounted. Libraries - books and internet access are free - after school booster clubs and there is really no need to have your own computer these days. When I was in school I used my computer for leisure and used school computers for research. Free periods, break times and after school are perfect opportunities. There are homework clubs after school which provide children with internet access, books, snacks, drinks and are open until 6pm each night. What is the difference between sitting in your room on the computer (with distractions) and sitting in the school library with no distractions, more resources and a safe enviornment with teachers there to offer help. If anything it would be better to do it after school.

 

That's $h!te tbh Chris.

 

I am rather an introverted person and i'm half way through my third year of a four year degree. Uni is an excellent opportunity and a chance to grow as a person, i am far more extroverted than i used to be. I had to adapt, especially when i went to Australia. I knew nobody, i had no family out there, i was on my own so i had to branch out and make friends and i made some amazing friends. As humans we adapt to changing situations, so i'm sorry but that's utter $h!te. You can go to uni and still be a loner, nobody forces you to socialise or go out drinking if you don't want to.

Talking of Aus, how is Brisbane working for you Liam? I miss shopping on Queen Street and in the Myer Centre. :( Which suburb did your folks end up picking?

 

Yes I agree, uni is a great opportunity to make new friends - you will do things you never expected to do because you're shy yet you end up making so really good lifelong friends. Was you at the Mt. Gravatt campus or another one? I think there's one in Macgregor and South Bank too. I have to finish school for a year or two and I'm really scared about starting again from scratch but it's an amazing opportunity to make new friends, and just have a laugh. And, we're in East Brisbane/Woolloongabba atm but that's just temp. because it's convenient for my mum's job in Greenslopes and for me to get into the catchment area for Brisbane High, as it's a bit ghetto around here. When we actually buy it'll be in Bulimba or Morningside. Where did you live in Brisbane?

Edited January 18, 201015 yr by LiamM

Well obviously if you have learning difficulities you have a disadvantage, but the government provides so many opportunies. Schooling is practically free and for the things you do pay for (school meals, trips, uniforms etc.) can be given to children for free or at least discounted. Libraries - books and internet access are free - after school booster clubs and there is really no need to have your own computer these days. When I was in school I used my computer for leisure and used school computers for research. Free periods, break times and after school are perfect opportunities. There are homework clubs after school which provide children with internet access, books, snacks, drinks and are open until 6pm each night. What is the difference between sitting in your room on the computer (with distractions) and sitting in the school library with no distractions, more resources and a safe enviornment with teachers there to offer help. If anything it would be better to do it after school.

The difference is that with coursework it's nigh-on impossible to do it all in free periods or after school (which in most cases lasts until 5pm)...