About this site

Hard Fun is a monthly essay about the competition for young people's attention, and how we raise kids capable of exercising judgment over it. The name comes from Seymour Papert, who noticed that children don't necessarily want learning made easy. They can become deeply engaged precisely because something is hard.

I've spent my career in games and media, and I help govern a school. One job engineers attention. The other tries to protect it. This series works that seam. Games are the opening lens because it's a world I know. Education is where the stakes become clear. AI, phones, algorithms, assessment and agency will each get their turn.

If you make games, teach, parent or govern a school, I'd like to hear from you. Where have you seen genuine hard fun flourish?

Hard Fun is a personal project. The views here are mine, not those of my employer, my clients or the school I help govern.