This week we talk about raising kids in this modern, digital age, and some ideas about how to lead them to be interested in science and technology. We reflect a bit on our own childhoods (Legos and video games) and our new guest, Greg, a dad of two and fellow thoughtful geek, offers his insights and experiences to our discussion.

Below are some of the issues we tried to address. One hour is barely enough time to cover this, and we hope to lend more time on this topic in the future, perhaps as a follow-on to this week's episode.

(1) Children today grow up with more technology around them than ever before. For example, by the time today's preschoolers are in high school, it's likely that cell phones will be powerful handheld computers. Does this mean that children today are more oriented towards engineering and science (as subjects of interest or as careers), or will these children simply be end-users and consumers of these technologies? Why has enrollment in computer science programs decreased so much over the last decade or so, and will it rebound?

Here's a Link to a Washington Post Article about Bill Gates addressing Congress about the lack of skilled tech workers (because of the Visa program and fewer students coming out of college in science fields.

(2) There's a TED talk about dangerous things children should be allowed to do (e.g. play with fire, own a knife, take things apart).  There are also popular books about dangerous activities for children. Have we made things too safe for children? For example, kids' chemistry sets no longer contain any dangerous chemicals, but those chemicals made many interesting and educational reactions possible. What will happen when kids who have never had to face danger or harm (whether from bullies, running on the playground, or whatever) grow up? Are we making indecisive and weak kids? (If so, what can we do about it?) Some links:

The book: "The Dangerous Book For Boys"

Gever Tulley's talk at the recent TED conference about '5 dangerous things you should let your kids do'

Photos from Tulley's "Tinkering School" Program

Wired's 'Geek Dad' blog

Instructables, a website for 'show and tell' for DIY projects

Playing with Boxes

Lego Mindstorms

The endangered chemistry set

(3) Our culture is sensual, sensational, secular, relativistic, and popular. We're more oriented to sound bites and entertainment than to deep and meaningful discussion. What are some practical steps parents can take to moving their children towards a life of meaning, virtue, and flourishing, intellectual and otherwise? How are churches helping and hindering this? What about the educational system?

Enjoy listening to our podcast! Feel free to chime in with your comments and suggestions, or even provide links to some good links related to our topic.

This week we discuss how we would counsel an infertile Christian couple. We cover biblical and theological concerns, consider the moral value of embryonic human life, and then consider applications to various technologies.

We originally recorded this with Steve Wagner, bioethics speaker from Stand to Reason. Unfortunately, that recording was lost due to technical glitches. If you are interested in more bioethics material, especially concerning abortion, we recommend that you look at the STR website.