I taught the homeschool co-op kids how to solder. They said things like, "I've never built anything before."

That's actually pretty disturbing to hear, considering they're mostly middle and highschool-aged.

They're all from large families, usually 5+ kids. I think it raises an interesting point about how much energy parents have to spread around, and whether the kids may be getting shortchanged a little. They're obviously well-educated, but are lacking in general life experience. One kid had literally never used a screwdriver at 14 years old.

So we talk a lot about having lots of kids and repopulating the world, but you have to make sure your 8 kids don't have to call an only child to change a flat tire, also. Maybe the trick is to be 10 times more strict about devices, TV, etc. so they can at least get outside and break something occasionally.

Just random thoughts.